US 2017/0285178 A1 · AIS Spoofing and Dark-Target Detection Methodology

Abstract

Methods and systems detect physical locations of vessels. A first satellite includes a first image sensor. A second satellite includes a second image sensor. The processor receives a first image of a target area from the first image sensor, and a second image of the target area from the second image sensor. Both images are taken within a predetermined time frame. The processor performs image recognition to identify a vessel that appears in both the first image and the second image. The processor receives the first satellite's location and orientation when the first image is taken and the second satellite's location and orientation when the second image is taken. Each satellite's location and orientation are determined by the satellite's geographic determination module. The processor determines the vessel's location by performing triangulation based on the first satellite's location and orientation and the second satellite's location and orientation. The processor outputs data representative of the vessel's determined location. The vessel's speed and bearing are also determined by the processor.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for determining a vessel's location in a target area, comprising:

a first image sensor on a first satellite;
a first geographic determination module on the first satellite;
a second image sensor on a second satellite;
a second geographic determination module on the second satellite;
and
a processor in communication with the first image sensor and the second image sensor, the processor configured to:
output data indicating a target area to the first satellite and the second satellite;
receive a first image of the target area from the first image sensor, and a second image of the target area from the second image sensor, both images being taken within a predetermined time frame;
perform image recognition to identify a vessel that appears in both the first image and the second image;
receive the first satellite's location and orientation when the first image is taken, the first satellite's location and orientation being determined by the first geographic determination module;
receive the second satellite's location and orientation when the second image is taken, the second satellite's location and orientation being determined by the second geographic determination module;
determine the vessel's location by performing triangulation based on the first satellite's location and orientation and the second satellite's location and orientation;
and
output data representative of the vessel's determined location.

11 more elements

A method for determining a vessel's location in a target area, comprising:

outputting, by a processor, data indicating a target area to a first satellite and a second satellite;
receiving, by the processor, a first image of the target area from a first image sensor on the first satellite, and a second image of the target area from a second image sensor on the second satellite, both images being taken within a predetermined time frame;
performing, by the processor, image recognition to identify a vessel that appears in both the first image and the second image;
receiving, by the processor, the first satellite's location and orientation when the first image is taken, the first satellite's location and orientation being determined by a first geographic determination module on the first satellite;
receiving by the processor, the second satellite's location and orientation when the second image is taken, the second satellite's location and orientation being determined by a second geographic determination module on the second satellite;
determining, by the processor, the vessel's location by performing triangulation based on the first satellite's location and orientation and the second satellite's location and orientation;
and
outputting, by the processor, data representative of the vessel's determined location.

5 more elements