Detecting and locating bright light sources from moving aircraft
US10257472B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30252
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for a light source detection system, comprising an aircraft carrying at least one camera. The system includes a database for storing information about the aircraft's motion, direction, and position and ground location information, such as the onboard navigation system database or an remotely accessible database. The system also includes a processor that accesses the database and is connected to the camera. The processor uses image analysis and processing techniques to determine the ground location corresponding to the light source from an image of that light captured by the camera. It determines the path traveled by that light and estimates its location as being a pre-selected distance vertically above the ground along the path traveled by the light to the aircraft when the image of the light was captured.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.