Precision geographic location system and method utilizing an image product
AssigneeLitel Instruments
InventorsRobert O. Hunter, Jr., Adlai H. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of mapping a target region image to a referenced image includes steps of acquiring the target region image. The method also includes acquiring the referenced image overlapping the target region image. The method further includes determining a number of common subregions in an intersection of the referenced image and the target region image, determining offsets between the common subregions, computing a distortion map of the target region image over the intersection, and remapping the target region image to match the reference image. The method can be utilized in a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the target image can be a SAR image.
Claims20
A system for mapping a target region image to a reference image, the system comprising:
- at least one of dedicated electronic hardware and one or more dedicated processors, the at least one dedicated electronic hardware and one or more dedicated processors configured to:
- determine offsets between a number of common subregions in an intersection of a reference image and a target region image;
- compute a distortion map of the target region image over the intersection;
- and
- generate a remapped target region image by remapping the target region image to match the reference image.
A method for improving targeting accuracy of a GPS guided munition, the method comprising:
- locating firing emplacement locations in a firing station image using a remapped image;
- acquiring GPS locations of the firing emplacements;
- and
- generating corrected targeting data based on a difference from the firing emplacement locations and the GPS locations of the firing emplacements.
A method of improving a navigational position fix for an aerial platform, the method comprising:
- recording a GPS signal locating a ground image using a remapped image;
- locating the aerial platform using the ground image;
- generating corrected navigational data by correcting in situ navigational data of the aerial platform using information gained in location;
- and
- transmitting the corrected navigational data.
A method for precisely targeting a munition, comprising:
- locating firing emplacement locations based on a firing station image using a remapped image technique;
- locating targets within a target image using the remapped image technique;
- transmitting the firing emplacement locations and target locations to fire control;
- and
- releasing munitions utilizing the firing emplacement locations and the target locations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.