Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Navigation – Employing position determining equipment
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-04
2001-03-27
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Navigation
Employing position determining equipment
C701S208000, C701S214000, C345S111000, C345S111000, C342S063000, C342S064000, C342S357490, C342S357490
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208933
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to sensor images and more specifically to a system that overlays data upon the sensor image to aid in the identification of objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, information about a surrounding area and/or terrain is available by looking at a map. If a pilot or navigator of an aircraft needs to know the identity of a road, building or landmark outside the aircraft, they need to determine the location of the object and then consult a map to find the identity of the object. This can be a distraction for the aircrew because they must alternate between looking outside the aircraft for objects and then refocus their attention back inside the aircraft to consult a map to determine the identity of the object.
Many aircraft, military aircraft in particular, use sensors for targeting and navigation. These sensors, which may be infra-red, night-vision, video or radar, can detect objects and landmarks outside the aircraft and display them on a sensor display (e.g., a video screen) for the aircrew to view. Many times, such as in bad weather or at night, these sensors can provide a superior image of the surrounding terrain than possible from looking through the window of the aircraft. However, the aircrew must still spend time trying to identify the objects presented on the sensor image by using a map since the image presented on the display does not show the identity of objects that are being viewed. As such, the aircrew must still consult a map in order to determine the identity of the object presented on the sensor image. Furthermore, it may not be easy to identify objects on the sensor image because of the type of sensor used. For example, it may not be possible to find objects on an image produced by radar because of the clutter and poor resolution produced in the resulting image.
The present invention addresses the deficiencies in prior art sensor images by providing a system that superimposes identifying map data upon objects in the sensor image. As such, it is easier for the aircrew to concentrate on the task at hand since they do not need to determine the identity of objects by looking at a separate map. Furthermore, the present invention may provide such map data superimposed upon a heads-up display or visor helmet of a viewer for a quick and easy display of information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sensor system for providing a cartographic overlay on a displayed sensor image for a current location within a selected region. The system comprises a sensor for generating the sensor image and a location device for generating a location signal corresponding to the current location of the sensor within the selected region. Furthermore, the system includes a storage device which includes electronically stored cartographic data for the selected region. The storage device is in electrical communication with the location device, and is operative to generate a map data signal corresponding to the cartographic data based on the location signal. Additionally, the system further includes a display in electrical communication with the storage device and operative to display a final image. The final image comprises the sensor image superimposed with the cartographic data based upon the map data signal for the current location of the selected region.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor may be movable such that it will have a pan, tilt, and rotation. In this respect, the location device is configured such that the location signal is based on a known coordinate system as refined by the pan, tilt, rotation and field of view of the sensor and the platform position and attitude. Additionally, the sensor image may include displayed objects for the current location within the selected region and the corresponding cartographic data for the final image includes titles and symbols representative of respective ones of the objects. Furthermore, the sensor may be a low light sensor, an infra-red sensor or a video sensor while the display may be a head-up display, a helmet visor or a sensor monitor.
A method for displaying a cartographic overlay on a sensor image comprises generating a sensor image with a sensor. Next, a location signal is generated that corresponds to a current location of the sensor within a selected region. Additionally, a map data signal is generated corresponding to cartographic data based on the location signal. Finally, a final image is displayed wherein the final image comprises the sensor image superimposed with cartographic data based upon the map data signal for the current location.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4086632 (1978-04-01), Lions
patent: 4360876 (1982-11-01), Girault et al.
patent: 4849827 (1989-07-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 4873513 (1989-10-01), Soults et al.
patent: 4876651 (1989-10-01), Dawson et al.
patent: 4964723 (1990-10-01), Murgue et al.
patent: 5359526 (1994-10-01), Whittington et al.
patent: 5519392 (1996-05-01), Oder et al.
patent: 5557397 (1996-09-01), Hyde et al.
patent: 5566073 (1996-10-01), Margolin
patent: 5596500 (1997-01-01), Sprague et al.
patent: 5721679 (1998-02-01), Monson
Anderson Terry J.
Beaulieu Yonel
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Hoch, Jr. Karl J.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
LandOfFree
Cartographic overlay on sensor video does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cartographic overlay on sensor video, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cartographic overlay on sensor video will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2437715