Apparatus and method for long term tracking for ASW applications
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsRobert C. Gibbs, Michael J. Walsh, Maria C. Santos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed that provide target motion analysis with the ability for having long-term tracking. The apparatus and method provide a leg builder program that monitors successive positional updates from a target and converts the updates into a leg format. The leg format consists primarily of start time, latitude/longitude, time on leg, and end latitude/longitude. The leg format is continuously updated so long as the course of the target is steady. The leg format further embodies routines that provide for a spherical earth model and also for handling unstable course and speed conditions from a target.
Claims6
A target tracking and plotting method for a target, said method being provided for use in a computerized system, comprising:
- identifying the target with initial coordinates and an initial time;
- obtaining second coordinates for the identified target at a second time;
- building a leg from the initial coordinates, initial time, second coordinates and second time if said initial coordinates are a threshold distance away from said second coordinates;
- recording the built leg;
- obtaining current coordinates for the identified target at a current time if said current coordinates are the threshold distance away from said second coordinates;
- determining if the target is maintaining a steady speed;
- determining if the target is maintaining a steady course;
- entering the current coordinates for the identified target as an addition to the built leg if the target is maintaining a steady speed and a steady course;
- recording the addition to the built leg;
- restarting said step of identifying the target with said current coordinates and current time when the target is not maintaining a steady speed;
- restarting said step of identifying the target with said current coordinates and current time when the target is not maintaining a steady course;
- and
- providing plots of any selected recorded legs when a demand is received.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.