Abstract: An Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder and method for transmitting vessel AIS data can include an onboard processor and database, a VHF AIS transceiver and cellular modem connected to the processor, and a navigation sub-system for providing position inputs to the processor. The processor can include written instructions for transmitting only single sentence AIS messages when the transponder is within RsAIS of a satellite but outside range RtAIS of a terrestrial AIS base station, and switching to the base station when the vessel is within RtAIS but outside of cellular modem range, Rcell. While transmitting to the AIS satellite or AIS base station, portions of the vessel AIS are recorded to the database as historical data. Once within Rcell, the transponder can switch to transmission via cellular modem to an AIS architecture server. Historical data can also be downloaded to complete and update the vessel AIS data profile within AIS.

Abstract: A system comprising a radar subsystem including a radar transmitter and a radar receiver, and an encoder subsystem including a computer connected to a transmitter and two antennas. The computer is configured to encode and transmit a custom payload AIS Type 8 message. A second computer connected to a receiver and antenna receives the message. The custom payload AIS Type 8 message contains target longitude, latitude fields, range, and bearing fields. A method for transmitting and receiving the radar track of a target ship including: receiving the radar signal at the own ship; encoding the target ship longitude, latitude, speed, and course into a custom payload AIS Type 8 message; transmitting the custom message to a receiver ship; decoding and displaying the target ship longitude, latitude, course, and speed at the receiver ship.

Abstract: A method for displaying off-screen target indicators in motion video comprising the steps of receiving motion video containing a series of individual video frames, selecting a target object within a selected video frame by choosing selected target object pixel space coordinates, and determining whether the selected target object pixel space coordinates are within the selected video frame. Upon determining that the selected target object pixel space coordinates are within the selected video frame, the method updates a dynamical system model with the target object geographical coordinates, longitudinal target object speed, and latitudinal target object speed. Upon determining that the selected target object pixel space coordinates are not within the selected video frame, the method calculates estimated target object geographical coordinates at time t using the dynamical system model. The method then calculates final values in the video field of view at which to draw a target indicator.

Abstract: A system comprising a radar subsystem including a radar transmitter and a radar receiver, and an encoder subsystem including a computer connected to a transmitter and two antennas. The computer is configured to encode and transmit a custom payload AIS Type 8 message. A second computer connected to a receiver and antenna receives the message. The custom payload AIS Type 8 message contains target longitude, latitude fields, range, and bearing fields. A method for transmitting and receiving the radar track of a target ship including: receiving the radar signal at the own ship; encoding the target ship longitude, latitude, speed, and course into a custom payload AIS Type 8 message; transmitting the custom message to a receiver ship; decoding and displaying the target ship longitude, latitude, course, and speed at the receiver ship.

Abstract: A method for displaying off-screen target indicators in motion video comprising the steps of receiving motion video containing a series of individual video frames, selecting a target object within a selected video frame by choosing selected target object pixel space coordinates, and determining whether the selected target object pixel space coordinates are within the selected video frame. Upon determining that the selected target object pixel space coordinates are within the selected video frame, the method updates a dynamical system model with the target object geographical coordinates, longitudinal target object speed, and latitudinal target object speed. Upon determining that the selected target object pixel space coordinates are not within the selected video frame, the method calculates estimated target object geographical coordinates at time t using the dynamical system model. The method then calculates final values in the video field of view at which to draw a target indicator.

Abstract: An Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder and method for transmitting vessel AIS data can include an onboard processor and database, a VHF AIS transceiver and cellular modem connected to the processor, and a navigation sub-system for providing position inputs to the processor. The processor can include written instructions for transmitting only single sentence AIS messages when the transponder is within RsAIS of a satellite but outside range RtAIS of a terrestrial AIS base station, and switching to the base station when the vessel is within RtAIS but outside of cellular modem range, Rcell. While transmitting to the AIS satellite or AIS base station, portions of the vessel AIS are recorded to the database as historical data. Once within Rcell, the transponder can switch to transmission via cellular modem to an AIS architecture server. Historical data can also be downloaded to complete and update the vessel AIS data profile within AIS.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a horizon in an image with a plurality of pixels can include the step of blurring the image with a noise filter, then dividing the image into an M×N matrix of sub-blocks S. For each sub-block S, horizon features can be coarse-extracted by defining an r-dimensional vector having P feature values for each sub-block S and clustering each r-dimensional vectors into two clusters using a k-means statistical analysis. The corresponding sub-blocks S corresponding to the two clusters can be masked with a binary mask. The methods can further include the step of fine-extracting the horizon features at a pixel level for each sub-block Si, j and sub-block Si?1, j when the binary mask changes value from sub-block Si?1 j to said sub-block Si, j, for i=1 to M and j=1 to N.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for processing maritime video data to improve processing time and reduce the risk of false detection. Video data input may be received from satellites, aircrafts, UAVs and other aerial vehicles. The method and system create annotated video output files indicating the location of tracked anomalies. The method and system perform an anomaly detection function on each data frame within the video input, identify anomalous regions within each data frame, and identify clusters. The method and system then perform an algorithm to discard clusters which do not meet threshold criteria to reduce the risk of false detection, as well as employ a horizon detection algorithm to eliminate superfluous image data unrelated to tracking maritime targets.