Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjustment of a harmonization compensation applied to alleviate a discrepancy of conformity between a video image transmitted by a video transducer (1) and projected by a head-up display device (5, 6), of an aircraft, and an external scene ahead of the aircraft. At least one equipment item of the aircraft—preferably the said HUD device—equipped with at least one control element accessible in the cockpit, is programmed to be able to function according to a nominal mode and according to a maintenance mode, in which at least one of its control elements, known as a redirected control element, is used to define the applied harmonization compensation. An operator activates the maintenance mode and starts an adjustment operation, in which he modifies in real time the applied harmonization compensation, by manipulating at least one redirected control element, until the video image is matched with the external scene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image of terrain obtained from a position above the terrain. An image of an object is detected in the image of the terrain for an object that is positioned between the terrain and the position above the terrain. The detected image of the object is replaced in the image of the terrain with replacement image data. For example, the replacement image data may be image data for the terrain below the object. The image of the terrain with the replacement image data may be displayed. The method and apparatus may be used to replace images of clouds in images of the surface of the earth below an aircraft with image data for the surface of the earth below the clouds.

Abstract: An optical scanner system for contiguous three-dimensional topographic or volumetric imaging of a surface from an aircraft or spacecraft is disclosed. A servo controller synchronizes the rotation rates of a pair of wedge scanners with high precision to the multi-kilohertz laser fire rate producing an infinite variety of well-controlled scan patterns. This causes the beam pattern to be laid down in precisely the same way on each scan cycle, eliminating the need to record the orientations of the wedges accurately on every laser fire, thereby reducing ancillary data storage or transmission requirements by two to three orders of magnitude and greatly simplifying data preprocessing and analysis. The described system also uses a holographic element to split the laser beam into an array that is then scanned in an arbitrary pattern.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of controlling a flight of a flight vehicle according to a first mode of operation and changing the mode of operation to a second mode of operation having a different bandwidth than the first mode of operation. Other embodiments relate to a flight-control system for a flight vehicle configured to control a flight of a flight vehicle according to a first mode of operation and to control the flight of the flight vehicle according to a second mode of operation to use less energy than the first mode of operation. Other embodiments relate to a control actuation system configured to control positions of aerodynamic elements in a flight vehicle in response to commands from a guidance system according to a first mode of operation and to change the mode of operation to a second mode of operation having a different bandwidth than the first mode of operation.

Abstract: A landing aid device for an aircraft generates video images of a portion of the field of vision using a sensor situated in front of the aircraft intended for picture-taking during poor visibility conditions, and extracts contours from the video images making it possible to delimit at least one first known shape included in each image. A first head up display includes a display zone, which occupies a portion of the visor of the cockpit superimposed on the exterior landscape, and a symbology for generating information representing symbols intended to aid piloting is displayed on the display, wherein at least one first symbol comprising landing aid information is generated on the basis of the contours of the first shape and displayed on the display.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a period determination module and a motion detection module. The period determination module determines a period for the vehicle to travel a predetermined distance based on a desired transmission output shaft speed (TOSS), a target transmission output shaft position, a final drive ratio of the vehicle, and a tire size of the vehicle. The motion detection module detects whether the vehicle is moving based on the TOSS during the determined period.

Abstract: A method for moving object detection, comprising generating a time series of multi-exposures of scenes, each multi-exposure of a scene comprising a sequence of at least two at least partially overlapping images of that scene captured in rapid succession, wherein the time series of multi-exposures periodically revisits substantially the same scenes, detecting moving objects within each multi-exposure by comparing its sequence of overlapping images, and tracking objects by comparing moving objects detected within multi-exposures of substantially the same scenes.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the line of sight of an airborne camera fixed on a target by compensating for overflight velocity of the aircraft. The compensation system automatically commands an angular velocity of the line of sight to maintain the camera pointing at the target being overflown. This angular velocity of the line of sight is computed based upon the aircraft overflight velocity and upon a vector from the aircraft to the target. This automatic compensation for aircraft overflight velocity causes the line of sight to remain fixed upon the target. The compensation system drives a gimbal system upon which the camera is mounted to perform this compensation automatically.

Abstract: The aviation emergency response system includes a number of ground subsystems located on an airport, and a number of subsystems installed in an aircraft. The ground subsystems may include dispensers along the edges of the runway(s) for dispensing foam, water, and/or deicing fluid, and an array of cameras installed along the runway edges. Low lateral retaining dams may be provided along the edges of the runway(s), and appropriate drainage is also provided for the runway. A tire-puncturing apparatus may also be installed in the surface of the runway, and energy-absorbing overruns are provided at the runway ends. A control center including appropriate monitoring and control systems is also provided on the airport. Aircraft may be equipped with external cameras for monitoring the condition of the aircraft in flight, and corresponding annunciator systems placed in the aircraft cockpit for appropriate response(s) by the flight crew.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating HUD image data from synthetic image data is disclosed. Based on a multi-channel pixel intensity data set generated by a synthetic vision system, a single-channel pixel intensity data set representative of a lighted solid image of terrain comprised of a plurality of intensities of one color may be generated. The single-channel pixel intensity image data set may be determined as a function of multi-channel pixel intensity data set and channel weighting, where channel weighting may be based on sky and/or terrain colors employed by an SVS. Based on the multi-channel pixel intensity data set, a three-dimensional perspective scene outside the aircraft may be presented to the pilot on a HUD combiner. Also, the multi-channel pixel intensity data set may be modified by using at least one chroma key, where such chroma key may be assigned to a specific multi-channel pixel intensity value.

Abstract: Embodiments include aircraft systems, display systems, and methods for displaying three dimensional (3D) images. A backlight is controlled to sequentially alternate between activating a first set of light producing elements of the backlight and activating a second set of light producing elements of the backlight, where light produced by the first set of light producing elements is refracted by a lens system into a left eye viewing envelope, and light produced by the second set of light producing elements is refracted by the lens system into a right eye viewing envelope. A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is controlled synchronously with the backlight in order to selectively pass or block portions of the light produced by the backlight in order to produce one or more left eye image frames in the left eye viewing envelope and one or more right eye image frames in the right eye viewing envelope.

Abstract: A luminous pixel array includes a plurality of luminous flying vehicles configured to move in 3-dimensional space. A first luminous flying vehicle of the plurality of luminous flying vehicles corresponds to at least one pixel of the luminous pixel array. The first luminous flying vehicle is configured to radiate a first color and intensity of light.

Abstract: A display system of the present invention includes a liquid crystal platform section (200) which outputs display data for displaying, on a liquid crystal display section (100), an image in accordance with information obtained from an automobile. The liquid crystal platform section (200) includes a DIC (201) which generates display data and calculates a display position of the image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display section (100) from the obtained information and which causes the generated display data to be displayed in the calculated image display position. The DIC (201) updates display so that the image moves at frame intervals from a start position of image display to the image display position calculated from the automobile information currently obtained, when an interval at which the information is obtained is longer than each of the frame intervals for displaying the image.

Abstract: A lane departure prevention support apparatus comprises: imaging means for capturing an image of a lane boundary line which defines a traveling lane; vehicle position detecting means for recognizing the lane boundary line in a recognition area of captured image data to detect a host vehicle position within the traveling lane in a width direction; assisting means for performing driver assist using the recognition result of the lane boundary line; displaying means for displaying the recognition result of the lane boundary line; and recognition result display controlling means for displaying an unrecognized lane boundary line according to the host vehicle position, if one of left and right white lines is not recognized, wherein a display of the unrecognized lane boundary line is not such a display which indicates that the lane boundary line is not recognized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a present location of a target from a moving platform are provided. One system includes a movement module for estimating the present location of the target, a prediction module for estimating future locations of the target, and a first processor. The first processor is configured to receive present location estimates, receive future location estimates, store the future location estimates to create a first future location estimate, and determine the present location of the target based on the present location estimate and/or the first future location estimate. One method includes receiving an estimate of the present location of the moving platform, receiving an estimate of a future location of the moving platform, and determining the present location of the target based on the estimate of the present location and/or the estimate of the future location.

Abstract: The invention is for a sensor for use in spacecraft navigation and communication. The system has two articulated telescopes providing navigation information and orientation information as well providing communications capability. Each telescope contains a laser and compatible sensor for optical communications and ranging, and an imaging chip for imaging the star field and planets. The three optical functions share a common optical path. A frequency selective prism or mirror directs incoming laser light to the communications and ranging sensor. The Doppler shift or time-of-flight of laser light reflected from the target can be measured. The sensor can use the range and range rate measured from the incoming laser along with measurements from the imaging chip to determine the location and velocity of the spacecraft. The laser and laser receiver provide communications capability.

Abstract: A camera for identifying soiling on a protective screen, such as a vehicle windscreen, is focused on a scene through the protective screen and can be used to identify soiling and for other applications, e.g. to identify driving lanes and/or objects in the scene. Soiling is identified merely by evaluating successively recorded image frames, and artificial reference frames or reference objects are not required. A prerequisite is that the relative speed vrel between the camera and at least one recorded object in the scene is not equal to zero and its trajectory in the image is predicted. By comparing the relevant image frame sections, possible soiling on subregions of the protective screen is identified.

Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft simultaneously displays the terrain under the flight plan, or under the current track of the aircraft, as both a two-dimensional lateral situation view image and as a perspective vertical situation view image. This provides improved tactical flight planning, and that does not erroneously show the flight plan passing through the displayed terrain.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining biometric imagery such as iris imagery from large capture volumes is disclosed wherein a substantially rotationally symmetric mirror such as a cone or sphere is rotated at a constant velocity about a central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing digital video processing of electromagnetic waves in IR or other electromagnetic waves spectra; derived from adjacent or separate bands (or sub-bands) representing a channel of electromagnetic wave intensities; that is processed for equipment radiometric corrections (calibration), adverse environmental elements or substance calibrations, channel filtering in real time and dynamic pixel to pixel time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ground-based camera surveying and guiding method for aircraft landing and unmanned aerial vechicle recovery based on the camera surveying technology, which is a ground-based camera surveying and guiding system mainly including several video cameras arranged near the landing areas of an aircraft or an unmanned aerial vechicle. During the approaching process of the aircraft or the unmanned aerial vechicle, the system performs imaging of the aircraft in real time and detects movement parameters such as the track, velocity, acceleration, attitude and the offset relative to the glide slope of the aircraft or the unmanned aerial vechicle in real time by analyzing images and applying camera surveying method and technology, so as to provide guidance for aircraft landing or unmanned aerial vechicle recovery. The method is an autonomic guiding survey without interferences from others, which has high accuracy and reliability. The hardware devices are mature, simple and have low cost.

Abstract: An image processing system and the like capable of accurately recognizing lane edges defined by dotted lane marks are provided. According to an image processing system (100) of the present invention, a first processing unit (110) searches a road surface image captured by a vehicle-mounted camera for a “small area,” which is composed of high- or low-luminance pixels and satisfies “eligibility conditions” on the “size,” “shape,” and “arrangement” in the road surface image. Additionally, a second processing unit (120) recognizes “lane edges” of the lane along which the vehicle travels on the basis of the “small area.” Furthermore, a third processing unit (130) sets a “search range” of the small area searched by the first processing unit (110) on the basis of a result of the foregoing recognition of the lane edges by the second processing unit (120).

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an overview image of a plurality of images comprises a storage unit and an image processor. The storage unit stores a plurality of processed images of the overview image and is able to provide the overview image containing the plurality of processed images at their assigned positions for displaying. The image processor determines feature points of a new image and compares the determined feature points of the new image with feature points of a stored processed image to identify common feature points and to obtain 3-dimensional positions of the common feature points. Further, the image processor determines common feature points located within a predefined maximum distance of relevance to a reference plane based on the 3-dimensional positions of the common feature points to identify relevant common feature points.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an overview image of a plurality of images includes an image preprocessor which preprocesses a new image by assigning the new image to a position in the overview image based on position information contained by meta-data of the new image. A storage unit stores a plurality of images of the overview image and provides the overview image for display. Further, the image processor receives accuracy information of the position information. The image processor determines an overlap region of the preprocessed new image and a stored image within the overview image based on the assigned positions of the preprocessed new image and of the stored image. Further, a controllable processing engine processes the preprocessed new image by re-adjusting the assigned position of the preprocessed new image based on comparing features of the overlap region of the preprocessed new image and the stored image.

Abstract: A method for vehicle detection and tracking includes acquiring video data including a plurality of frames, comparing a first frame of the acquired video data against a set of one or more vehicle detectors to form vehicle hypotheses, pruning and verifying the vehicle hypotheses using a set of course-to-fine constraints to detect a vehicle, and tracking the detected vehicle within one or more subsequent frames of the acquired video data by fusing shape template matching with one or more vehicle detectors.

Abstract: A system and method for labeling feature clusters in frames of image data for optical navigation uses distances between feature clusters in a current frame of image data and feature clusters in a previous frame of image data to label the feature clusters in the current frame of image data using identifiers associated with the feature cluster in the previous frame of image data that have been correlated with the feature clusters in the current frame of image data.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines the presence of an element such as fog interfering with the visibility of a frontal view of an driver in an vehicle in an environmental atmosphere in ahead of the vehicle equipped with the apparatus in the daytime is provided. In this apparatus, the determination of whether the presence of the element is determined based on an image that captured by a vehicle-mounted camera and in which a picture of an obstacle located on a road over which the vehicle is traveling is masked. In the determination, a reliability of determining the presence of the element is considered by measuring the effect of masking the obstacle.

Abstract: Color signals that have passed through a multilayer film filter and been photoelectrically converted are inputted into an image processing LSI. A color signal processing section of the image processing LSI corrects the color signals on a color matrix. The color matrix is divided into a plurality of regions corresponding to the color signals, and the correction is made for each of the regions.

Abstract: An automatic control system for directional control of an aircraft moving on the ground utilizing computer vision methods and camera sensing methods (visible, infrared or microwave) to optically recognize and track taxiway navigation features thereby providing pilot television picture steering cues or force inputs to the nosewheel steering system to maintain the aircraft on the centerline.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provides for avoiding collision between a vehicle and a target object. Pluralities of images from the target object are sensed. Pluralities of polarized images are generated from the sensed images. One or more composite images are calculated from the two or more polarized images by performing an algebraic manipulation between the two or more polarized images. The target object is tracked based on composite images. A set of evasive maneuver instructions are established for the respective hazard associated with the target object.

Abstract: An image processor and an operating method thereof are provided. The image processor includes: an audio data processing unit having a timer for providing audio data and information about time increment thereof; an image capturing unit for generating a number of video frames through photographing; a video data processing unit for generating each of video data and information about time increment thereof using the number of video frames, and providing the video data and the information about the time increments thereof; and a memory for storing the audio data and the information about the audio time increment, the video data and the information about the video time increment.

Abstract: A guidance system includes a device to generate an alphanumeric identification characteristic, enabling identification of a data item which is used for a selected guidance mode of an aircraft. The system also includes a display unit which automatically shows the alphanumeric identification characteristic on a display screen.

Abstract: Systems for improving unmanned aerial vehicle communication are presented. In a primary embodiment, a UAV transmits an encoded stream of video frames at a first bit-rate over a wireless air interface to a remote control station. The remote control station decodes and displays the video frames for a human user. Upon determining that the characteristics of the wireless air interface have changed, the UAV changes its codec configuration to transmit the encoded stream of video frames at a second bit-rate. The UAV and the ground control station may also use a prioritization scheme to prioritize command and control information and at least some types of video frames over other types of video frames and additional information. In this way, important communications are more likely to be received when the capacity of the wireless air interface is limited.

Abstract: A system and method of determining aircraft position on an aerodrome ground surface having a centerline disposed thereon is provided. A current image of the aerodrome ground surface is captured using a camera that has a known focal length and is disposed on a vehicle at a preset pitch angle. The current image includes the centerline, which extends to a vanishing point in the captured image. The slope and intercept of at least a portion of the centerline are computed. The vertical and horizontal positions of the vanishing point are computed. An estimate of the vehicle position on the ground surface is computed using the computed horizontal and vertical positions of the vanishing point, the known focal length, and the preset pitch angle.

Abstract: A system and method for equalizing an imaging sensor. The system includes at least one image sensor having a plurality of detectors defining a sensor array, each detector being configured to provide an output signal representative of a sensed image. The system further includes an equalization system configured to receive the output signals from the detectors; estimate a distribution for at least one detector based on the respective output signals; compare the distribution for the at least one of the detectors to a given distribution to determine a mapping function for the at least one detector; and apply the respective mapping function of the at least one detector to the output signal of the at least one detector to provide an equalized signal for the at least one detector.

Abstract: A flight portal apparatus for displaying a virtual view of a surface of the earth below an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a data processing system and a display device, connected to the data processing system, wherein the display device is positioned to generate a display that is substantially horizontal relative to a floor of an aircraft in a manner that simulates a portal in the aircraft. A camera system is connected to the data processing system, wherein the camera system generates video data of the surface of the earth below the aircraft. A user input system is connected to the data processing system.

Abstract: The Improved Mobile Digital Video Recorder (IMDVR) system is a ruggedized, multiple camera video and audio recording system that is installed within a public transit vehicle to record, store, and manage an integrated data stream of data captured within and exterior to the transit vehicle. The system is focused on multiple person vehicles and the capture of an integrated data stream for use in transit security, liability, and evidentiary processes.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and article for enhancing video sharpness are described. The apparatus may include a media processing node to enhance sharpness of an input image. The media processing node may include a wavelet decomposition module to perform wavelet decomposition of the input image to detect and modify edge information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring an eye to determine eye closure. The system includes a video imaging camera oriented to generate images of an eye, and a video processor for processing the images. The processor includes an edge detector for detecting edges of the eye in the image, and a line selector for generating lines at any of select angles representative of the detected edges. The processor determines the state of eye closure, such as an open eye or closed eye, based on an angle between two of the lines that select angles. The system may be employed on a vehicle to determine the eye closure state of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in an urban environment are provided. The method comprises capturing a first set of Global Positioning System (GPS)-tagged images in an initial fly-over of the urban environment at a first altitude, with each of the GPS-tagged images being related to respective GPS-aided positions. The captured GPS-tagged images are stitched together into an image mosaic using the GPS-aided positions. A second set of images is captured in a subsequent fly-over of the urban environment at a second altitude that is lower than the first altitude. Image features from the second set of images are matched with image features from the image mosaic during the subsequent fly-over. A current position of the UAV relative to the GPS-aided positions is calculated based on the matched image features from the second set of images and the image mosaic.

Abstract: A system for and a method of synchronous acquisition of pulsed source light performs monitoring of aircraft flight operation. Diode sources of illumination (18, 108, 208) are pulsed (16, 106, 206) at one-half the video frame rate of an imaging camera (36, 136, 236). Alternate frames view the world-scene with lights of interest pulsed on, and then off, respectively. Video differencing (34, 134, 234) eliminates the background scene, as well as all lights not of interest. Suitable threshholding over a resulting array of camera pixel-differences acquires the desired lights and represents them as point symbology on a display (40, 140, 240). In an enhanced vision landing system embodiment, the desired lights (symbols) overlay or are fused on a thermal image of the scene; alternatively, the symbols overlay a visible scene (TV) image.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking the position of objects, such as aircraft and ground vehicles around an airport. A transmission from the object is received at a non-imaging surveillance device of known location, the transmission being used to determine the coordinate position of the object within a given time period. Image data for the object is captured by an imaging surveillance device of known location to provide an image of the object within the same given time period. The coordinate position is correlated with the image to provide composite data about the object within the same given time period. The composite data is displayed to a viewer as a visual depiction of the object.

Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft simultaneously displays the terrain under the flight plan, or under the current track of the aircraft, as both a two-dimensional lateral situation view image and as a perspective vertical situation view image. This provides improved tactical flight planning, and that does not erroneously show the flight plan passing through the displayed terrain.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the line of sight of an airborne camera fixed on a target by compensating for overflight velocity of the aircraft. The compensation system automatically commands an angular velocity of the line of sight to maintain the camera pointing at the target being overflown. This angular velocity of the line of sight is computed based upon the aircraft overflight velocity and upon a vector from the aircraft to the target. This automatic compensation for aircraft overflight velocity causes the line of sight to remain fixed upon the target. The compensation system drives a gimbal system upon which the camera is mounted to perform this compensation automatically.

Abstract: A telepresence server is for connection to a telecommunications network for providing access to a reality engine for a plurality of passive users. The reality engine can be controlled by an active user or a professional director through the network or by a local professional director. Active/passive mode displays can be used by the passive users in a passive mode and an active/passive mode display can be used by the active user in an active mode.

Abstract: A method for landing an aircraft includes determining the aircraft's deviation from its approach path so as to define a first point of the aircraft's heading. A first straight line passing through the first point and through a second point defining the ground orientation of the approach path is displayed, by a head-up display, on a horizon line with a heading scale. The first straight line represents a ground plot of the approach path. A first assistance gate is displayed such that the first straight line passes through the first assistance gate when the aircraft is aligned on the approach path. A second straight line, parallel with the horizon line and passing through the first point, is displayed and represents a plot on the ground of the origin of the approach path. A second assistance gate is displayed under the horizon line and represents the slope of the approach path.

Abstract: A system for and a method of synchronous acquisition of pulsed source light performs monitoring of aircraft flight operation. Diode sources of illumination (18, 108, 208) are pulsed (16, 106, 206) at one-half the video frame rate of an imaging camera (36, 136, 236). Alternate frames view the world-scene with lights of interest pulsed on, and then off, respectively. Video differencing (34, 134, 234) eliminates the background scene, as well as all lights not of interest. Suitable threshholding over a resulting array of camera pixel-differences acquires the desired lights and represents them as point symbology on a display (40, 140, 240). In an enhanced vision landing system embodiment, the desired lights (symbols) overlay or are fused on a thermal image of the scene; alternatively, the symbols overlay a visible scene (TV) image.

Abstract: An external index detection unit (105) receives an image sensed by a camera (100), and detects an external index set in a real scene. A tachometer (110) measures the rotational velocities of two rear wheels of a vehicle. A vehicle measurement unit (120) measures the position and azimuth of the vehicle on the basis of the image coordinate position of the external index and the rotational velocities of the two rear wheels of the vehicle. A head index detection unit (135) receives an image sensed by a camera (130), and detects a head index set on the head of a passenger (132). A head measurement unit (140) measures the position of the head on the basis of the image coordinate position of the head index.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus with image recognition, includes: an imaging section for obtaining a stereo image of a target spot; an inertial information detecting section for measuring an attitude angle of a body and an acceleration of the body; an image process calculating section for calculating a relative position of the body with respect to the target spot based on the stereo image and the attitude angle; and a navigation calculating section for calculating navigation information based on the attitude angle, the acceleration and the relative position.

Abstract: The improved landscape camera system for use in aircraft utilizes digital video technology to obtain multiple fields of view that are selectable for viewing by passengers on the aircraft, from either a single video frame or from multiple cameras with different fields of view. The camera module can also receive video input from one or more auxiliary video cameras, such as a vertical fin mounted video camera, i.e. directed forward for a view of the aircraft in flight, or a rearward looking belly mounted camera.