Polarization-Based Detection and Mapping Method and System
AssigneePolaris Sensor Technologies, Inc.
InventorsTodd M. Aycock, David B. Chenault, Jonathan B. Hanks, John S. Harchanko
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Abstract
A method for detecting and tracking aerial objects and vehicles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the sky. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object.
Claims20
A method of detecting an aerial object, the method comprising:
- recording raw image data of an area using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the area;
- calculating Stokes parameters S0, S1, and S2 from the polarized images to create Stokes images by weighted subtraction of the polarized images;
- computing DoLP images and orientation images from the corrected images;
- creating multi-dimensional imagery using one or more of:
- the polarized images, the Stokes parameters, the DoLP images and the orientation images;
- applying contrast enhancement algorithms to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images;
- automatically detecting the aerial object from the enhanced object images.
A method for detecting the presence of aerial objects, the method comprising:
- recording raw image data of an area with a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the area;
- performing corrections on the polarized images to form corrected images;
- computing non-polarized intensity and polarization data products from the corrected images;
- converting the intensity and polarization data products to a multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery;
- applying contrast enhancement algorithms to multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images;
- recording in memory the location of objects detected;
- classifying detected objects based upon one or more of:
- their temporal, spatial, IR, intensity, or polarimetric signatures, wherein multiple objects may be independently classified into separate groups or sub-groups based upon one or more of:
- their temporal, spatial, IR, intensity, or polarimetric signatures.
A system for detecting an aerial object, the system comprising:
- a polarimeter configured to record raw image data of an area to obtain polarized images of the area;
- a signal processing unit configured to calculate Stokes parameters S0, S1, and S2 from the polarized images to create Stokes images by weighted subtraction of the polarized images, the signal processing unit further configured to compute DoLP images and orientation images from the corrected images, the signal processing unit further configured to create multi-dimensional imagery using one or more of:
- the polarized images, the Stokes parameters, the DoLP images and the orientation images, the signal processing unit further configured to apply contrast enhancement algorithms to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images, the signal processing unit further configured to automatically detect the aerial object from the enhanced object images.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.