Point cloud visualization of acceptable helicopter landing zones based on 4D LIDAR
US8600589B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08G5/54
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A processor calculates a safe landing zone for an aircraft. The processor executes the following steps: (a) converting 4D point cloud data into Cartesian coordinates to form a height map of a region; (b) segmenting the height map to form boundaries of an object in the region; and (c) determining maximum height within the boundaries of the object. Also included are (d) determining if the maximum height is greater than a predetermined height to form a vertical obstruction (VO) in the region; and (e) determining if the VO is in the line of sight (LOS) of the aircraft to classify the landing zone as safe or unsafe. The processor further includes the step of: (f) forming a slope map over the height map.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.