Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Navigation – Employing position determining equipment
Patent
1997-03-27
1999-08-10
Kemper, Melanie A.
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Navigation
Employing position determining equipment
35613901, B64G 136
Patent
active
059351950
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus compare a star to be identified within an image with data in a database generated from known star data. According to a first aspect of the invention, a target star to be identified within an image is selected, and a number of adjacent stars, normally two, are also selected. The separation values between the stars and a geometric identity for each separation value are determined. This data is compared with corresponding data stored in a database for known stars, where the data in the database is generated using the same technique. According to a second aspect of the invention, a target star is selected, and adjacent stars are selected from an annulus centered on the target star. The separation values for the stars are determined and compared with known separation values stored in a database, where the data in the database is generated using the same annulus centered on each known target star.
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Frank Robert J.
Kemper Melanie A.
Matra Marconi Space UK
Sartori Michael A.
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