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US 9,996,748 B2Granted
Emitter tracking system
AssigneeFLIR Systems, Inc.
InventorsScott Way, Cynthia I. Archer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved emitter tracking system. In aspects of the present teachings, the presence of a desired emitter may be established by a relatively low-power emitter detection module, before images of the emitter and/or its surroundings are captured with a relatively high-power imaging module. Capturing images of the emitter may be synchronized with flashes of the emitter, to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the captured images.
Claims18
An emitter tracking system, comprising:
- a signal detection module including imaging optics, an optical filter, and a first detector, such that the signal detection module is configured to detect an emitter signal generated by an emitter, the emitter signal including a plurality of flashes;
- an imaging module including a second detector and one or more optical elements, such that the imaging module is configured to capture images of the emitter upon receiving an activation signal;
- and
- a processor configured to receive the emitter signal from the signal detection module, analyze the emitter signal, and transmit the activation signal to the imaging module only if the emitter signal includes a predetermined pattern of flashes, the predetermined pattern being defined by “on” and “off” states of the emitter as a function of time;
- wherein the predetermined pattern of flashes is coded by changing the “on” and “off” pattern over time to prevent unauthorized tracking, and
- wherein the processor is configured to synchronize the imaging module with the emitter signal, such that the imaging module captures images at times when the emitter is known to be in an “on” state.
3 more elements
A method of tracking an emitter, the method comprising:
- detecting an emitter signal comprising a plurality of flashes;
- analyzing the signal to determine if the signal includes a predetermined pattern of flashes corresponding to a particular emitter, the predetermined pattern of flashes being defined by “on” and “off” states of the emitter signal as a function of time;
- and
- capturing images of the emitter only if the signal includes the predetermined pattern of flashes;
- wherein the predetermined pattern of flashes is coded by changing the predetermined pattern of flashes over time to prevent unauthorized tracking, and
- wherein the step of capturing images of the emitter is synchronized with the flashes of the emitter signal, such that images are captured at times when the emitter is known to be in an “on” state.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.