External Basis Type Patents (Class 356/20)
  • Patent number: 8872081
    Abstract: A relative navigation system projects a grid into space from a grid generator and an object, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, may use the projected grid to aid in the landing of the object. Methods of adjusting the projected grid including stabilizing the projected grid and orienting the grid generator relative to the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael Steven Feldmann, Frank Saggio, III, John Robert Washburn
  • Patent number: 8675183
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provides for estimating the range of a target. An acquisition window of an imaging device is adjusted to fit a target at an unknown range in response to a user input. An angle subtended by the largest dimension of the target viewed from the acquisition window is determined. The range of the target is estimated from a largest dimension of the target and the angle subtended by the largest dimension of the target. The device may be a man-portable aircraft survivability equipment (ASE) system trainer (MAST), or any simulator simulating a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Jaklitsch
  • Patent number: 7570804
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for determining stereo disparity based on two-path dynamic programming and GGCP. The apparatus includes a pre-processing unit for analyzing texture distribution of an input image by using a Laplacian of Gaussian (LOG) filter and dividing the input image into a homogeneous region and a non-homogeneous region; a local matching unit for determining candidate disparities to be included in an each pixel of all pixels; a local post-processing unit for removing candidate disparities in a pixel of low reliability by performing a visibility test betweens candidate disparities in each pixel to improve the reliability of the candidate disparity; and a global optimizing unit for determining a final disparity for candidate disparities in an each pixel by performing a dynamic programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jae-Chul Kim, Chang-Woo Chu, Bon-Ki Koo, Byoung-Tae Choi, Hyun-Bin Kim
  • Patent number: 5594994
    Abstract: A hand held device adapted to be used by an archer situated in an elevated position to aid in the determination of the approximate ground distance to a stationary or moving target in a simple and efficient manner in order that he might thereby increase his chances of hitting the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: John M. David
  • Patent number: 5491546
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laser assisted telescopic targeting system, apparatus and method of range finding and aiming a projectile firing weapon. The invention includes a laser light generating source capable of producing a spot of laser light on a target. The invention also includes a shooting scope to view the target. The shooting scope preferably has indicia or a shutter for measuring the approximate size of the laser dot projected on the target. Based upon the size of the spot and the growth rate of the laser targeting source the user can determine, with a substantial degree of accuracy, the relative distance from the target. The method includes steps associated with using the inventive apparatus and system and aiming a projectile firing weapon depending upon the information obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventors: Rick R. Wascher, Ray Fairbanks, Jr., Roy L. Neuhauser, III
  • Patent number: 5479360
    Abstract: A method for estimating target parameters of a target with respect to a platform such as ownship includes assigning predetermined initial values for the target parameters, wherein the target parameters are part of models having respective model probabilities. The models may include a Kalman filter. The models are updated in response to measured parameters of the target, wherein the measured parameters are different from the ones to be estimated. After a predetermined number of updates, the model having the highest updated model probability may be selected as the winning model. The updated values of the target parameters in the winning model at the time of winner selection are used as the estimated values for the parameters sought to be estimated. The updated parameter values may be refined by restarting the process using the updated values of the winning model as the basis for assigning new initial values for the target parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: Joel F. Seif, Christopher G. Nunno
  • Patent number: 5467531
    Abstract: A hand held device adapted to be used by an archer situated in an elevated position to aid in the determination of the approximate ground distance to a stationary or moving target in a simple and efficient manner in order that he might thereby increase his chances of hitting the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: John M. David