Optical correlation for detection of point source objects
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsMichael N. Mercier, Joseph M. Schlupf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of determining the point source quality of a set of pixels associated with a detected energy signature is discussed that pre-records ideal test point source signatures at various sub-pixel locations and radiant intensities throughout the overall sensor field of view in a focal plane array, determines the sub-pixel location of an observed source, and compares the signature at a pixel of the observed source to the pre-recorded “ideal source” signatures at the determined sub-pixel location. to determine point source correlation.
Claims18
A method for identifying a point source energy signature, the method comprising:
- receiving a test point source energy signature corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixel locations in one or more pixels of image data generated from within a field of view of at least one sensor;
- calculating and storing an ideal energy value for each of the plurality of sub-pixels within the field of view based on an intensity value of the test point source energy signature at the sub-pixel locations;
- receiving an observed energy signature within a first pixel of the one or more pixels;
- calculating an observed energy value for the first pixel based on the observed energy signature;
- determining a sub-pixel location for the observed energy signature within the first pixel;
- comparing the observed energy value for the first pixel against a stored ideal energy value for a sub-pixel location that corresponds to the determined sub-pixel location for the observed energy signature within the first pixel;
- and
- determining whether the observed energy signature correlates to a point source based on the comparing.
A system for identifying a point source energy signature, the method comprising:
- a focal plane array configured to:
- receive a test point source energy signature corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixel locations in one or more pixels of image data generated from within a field of view of at least one sensor;
- and
- receive an observed energy signature within a first pixel of the one or more pixels;
- and
- one or more processors configured to:
- calculate and store an ideal energy value for each of the plurality of sub-pixels within the field of view based on an intensity value of the test point source energy signature at the sub-pixel locations;
- calculate an observed energy value for the first pixel based on the observed energy signature;
- determine a sub-pixel location for the observed energy signature within the first pixel;
- compare the observed energy value for the first pixel against a stored ideal energy value for a sub-pixel location that corresponds to the determined sub-pixel location for the observed energy signature within the first pixel;
- and
- determine whether the observed energy signature correlates to a point source based on the comparing.
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a processing device, the instructions implementing a method for identifying a point source energy signature, wherein execution of the instructions causes the processing device to:
- receive a test point source energy signature corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixel locations in one or more pixels of image data generated from within a field of view of at least one sensor;
- calculate and store an ideal energy value for each of the plurality of sub-pixels within the field of view based on an intensity value of the test point source energy signature at the sub-pixel locations;
- receive an observed energy signature within a first pixel of the one or more pixels;
- calculate an observed energy value for the first pixel based on the observed energy signature;
- determine a sub-pixel location for the observed energy signature within the first pixel;
- compare the observed energy value for the first pixel against a stored ideal energy value for a sub-pixel location that corresponds to the determined sub-pixel location for the observed energy signature within the first pixel;
- and
- determine whether the observed energy signature correlates to a point source based on the comparing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.