US5602760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image-based detection and tracking system and processing method employing clutter measurements and signal-to-clutter ratios
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1994-02-02
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2014-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A method for measuring and quantifying clutter, and target detection and tracking systems that employs wavelet-based clutter quantification to generate a clutter number and a signal-to-clutter ratio derived therefrom to achieve improved target detection performance. The method processes video signals representative of an image scene containing a target and background clutter to provide for more accurate tracking of the target by a tracker(s). The method comprises processing the video signals to compute a wavelet clutter number, processing the video signals to compute a signal-to clutter ratio using the wavelet clutter number, and generating a pointer to a lookup table that sets parameters and selects the tracker that is to be used to track the target based upon the computed signal-to clutter ratio.
Inventors
- 👤 Kim M. Chacon
- 👤 Gillian K. Groves
- 👤 Kenneth E. Prager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7864; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; G06V10/255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A target detection and tracking system for tracking a target located in an image scene, said system comprising: a sensor for generating video signals representative of the image scene; a tracking computer that comprises a wavelet-based signal-to-clutter processor for processing the video signals to compute a wavelet clutter number and a signal-to clutter ratio from the wavelet clutter number, and tracker means for implementing at least one tracking algorithm to track the target in response to the computed signal-to clutter ratio; and a display monitor coupled to an output of the tracking computer for viewing the tracked target and the image scene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A target detection and tracking system for tracking a target located in an image scene, said system comprising: a sensor for generating video signals representative of the image scene; a tracking computer that comprises a wavelet-based signal-to-clutter processor for processing the video signals to compute a wavelet clutter number and a signal-to clutter ratio from the wavelet clutter number, and tracker means for implementing at least one tracking algorithm to track the target in response to the computed signal-to clutter ratio; and a display monitor coupled to an output of the tracking computer for viewing the tracked target and the image scene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a forward looking infrared sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a scanning forward looking infrared sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a video sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the tracker means implements a plurality of different tracking algorithms, and wherein said processor generates a signal, based upon the computed signal-to clutter ratio, for selecting a particular algorithm to track the target.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the tracker means implements a single tracking algorithm that is modified in response to the computed signal-to clutter ratio.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the processor processes background video signals to compute the wavelet clutter number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the processor processes target area video signals to compute the signal-to clutter ratio from the wavelet clutter number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the computed signal-to clutter ratio corresponds to target contrast divided by the clutter number, and wherein the target contrast is defined as the difference between a peak gray level (P t ) of the target and mean background gray level (μ b ).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the wavelet clutter number (C N ) is computed in accordance with the equation ##EQU6## where E is the energy in decomposed high-pass subbands of the image for vertical and diagonal orientations, w(m,n) is the intensity of a wavelet image at location (m,n), and M,N are dimensions of the image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the computed signal-to clutter ratio (SCR) equals target contrast divided by the clutter number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 11, wherein ##EQU7## where the target contrast is defined as the difference between a peak gray level (P t ) of the target and a mean local background gray level (μ b ).
Claim 14
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of measuring clutter in an image from an MXN array, the method comprising the step of computing a clutter number according to the equation. ##EQU8## where E is the energy in decomposed high-pass subbands of the image for vertical and diagonal orientations, and w(m,n) is the intensity of a wavelet transformed image at location (m,n).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of measuring clutter in an image from an MXN array, the method comprising the step of computing a clutter number according to the equation. ##EQU8## where E is the energy in decomposed high-pass subbands of the image for vertical and diagonal orientations, and w(m,n) is the intensity of a wavelet transformed image at location (m,n).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of computing a signal-to clutter ratio (SCR) according to the equation ##EQU9## where P t is peak gray level of a target in the image and μ b is mean background gray level of a selected background area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein horizontal orientation subbands of the wavelet transformed image are not used to compute the clutter number.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of measuring clutter in a video scene from an MXN array, the method comprising the steps of: calculating the mean background gray level of a selected background area of the video scene; calculating the peak gray level of a target area in the video scene; performing a wavelet transform on the selected background area of the video scene; calculating a clutter number from the wavelet transformed video scene; and calculating a signal-to-clutter ratio from the clutter number, whereby the ratio provides a measure of the clutter in the video scene.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of measuring clutter in a video scene from an MXN array, the method comprising the steps of: calculating the mean background gray level of a selected background area of the video scene; calculating the peak gray level of a target area in the video scene; performing a wavelet transform on the selected background area of the video scene; calculating a clutter number from the wavelet transformed video scene; and calculating a signal-to-clutter ratio from the clutter number, whereby the ratio provides a measure of the clutter in the video scene.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of tracking a target in an image scene comprising the steps of: generating video signals representative of the image scene; using wavelet based processing of the video signals to generate a wavelet clutter number and a signal to clutter ratio; and tracking the target in response to the signal to clutter ratio.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of tracking a target in an image scene comprising the steps of: generating video signals representative of the image scene; using wavelet based processing of the video signals to generate a wavelet clutter number and a signal to clutter ratio; and tracking the target in response to the signal to clutter ratio.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for tracking a target in an image scene comprising; means for generating video signals representative of the image scene; means for processing the video signals using wavelet based processing to generate a wavelet clutter number and a signal to clutter ratio; and tracking means for tracking said target in response to the signal to clutter ratio.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for tracking a target in an image scene comprising; means for generating video signals representative of the image scene; means for processing the video signals using wavelet based processing to generate a wavelet clutter number and a signal to clutter ratio; and tracking means for tracking said target in response to the signal to clutter ratio.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said tracking means includes means for selecting a unique tracking algorithm from among a plurality of algorithms in response to the signal to clutter ratio.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said tracking means uses a tracking algorithm, said tracking means further comprising means for modifying said tracking algorithm in response to the signal to clutter ratio.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |