METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A ROUTE

• US 20070112478A1
• Filed: 10/05/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Ivansson, Johan, Skarman, Erik, Notstrand, Joakim, Norberg, Par
• Granted Patent: US 9,097,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/00 Photogrammetry or videogrammetry, e.g. stereogrammetry; Photographic surveying
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard

Abstract

A method for generating a route comprising at least one path (R1-RT) is disclosed, wherein the method is suitable for aircraft reconnaissance of a area (A1). The method comprises the steps of:

• encompassing the area (A1) with a geometrical figure (F); generating a first direction (P) depending upon a configuration of said figure (F);
• generating said at least one path (R1-RT) depending upon said first direction (P),
  wherein said path (R1-RT) corresponds to a sub area (sa1-saT) covering at least a part of said area (A1).

Claims

1. Method for generating a route comprising at least one path, wherein the method is suitable for aircraft reconnaissance of an area, comprising the steps of:

encompassing the area with a geometrical figure;

generating a first direction depending upon a configuration of said figure;

generating said at least one path depending upon said first direction, wherein each of said at least one path corresponds to a separate sub area which covers at least a part of said area.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein

said at least one path is generated to be substantially parallel with a longest side of said figure.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein each of said separate sub areas is strip shaped.

4. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

generating at least two paths, wherein said at least two paths (R1-RT) are substantially parallel.

5. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

generating at least two paths so that their corresponding sub areas are partly overlapping.

6. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of—

encompassing the area with a rectangle, wherein the area of the rectangle is as small as possible.

7. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

generating end markers defining ends of the at least one path, wherein said end markers depend upon said configuration of said figure.

8. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of—

adjusting said generated route dynamically depending upon recorded interrupt information.

9. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

generating a plurality of area points, wherein said area points define corners of said area.

10. A control unit, suitable for generating a route comprising at least one path for aircraft reconnaissance of a area, comprising

means for encompassing the area with a geometrical figure;

means for generating a first direction depending upon a configuration of said figure; and

means for generating said at least one path depending upon said first direction,

wherein each of said at least one paths corresponds to a sub area which covers at least a part of said area.

11. A control unit according to claim 10, wherein said at least one path is substantially parallel with a longest side of said figure, and

wherein each of said sub areas are strip-shaped.

12. A control unit according to claim 10, further comprising

means for generating at least two paths, wherein said at least two paths are substantially parallel.

13. A control unit according to claim 10, wherein the sub areas corresponding to said at least two paths are partly overlapping.

14. A control unit according to claim 10, further comprising,

means for encompassing the area with a rectangle, which rectangle is as small as possible.

15. A control unit according to claim 10, further comprising,

means for generating end markers defining ends of the said at least one path, depending upon said configuration of said figure.

16. A control unit according to claim 10, further comprising,

means for adjusting said generated route dynamically depending upon recorded interrupt information.

17. A control unit according to claim 10, further comprising,

means for generating a plurality of area points, wherein said area points define corners of said area.

18. A platform comprising a control unit according to claim 10, wherein said platform comprises an airplane, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, a helicopter, a robot, or a missile.

19. A communication system, comprising at least one platform according to claim 18 and a control arrangement arranged to communicate with said at least one platform.

20. Computer programme comprising a programme code for performing a method for generating a route comprising at least one path, wherein the method is suitable for aircraft reconnaissance of an area, comprising the steps of:

encompassing the area with a geometrical figure;

generating a first direction depending upon a configuration of said figure;

generating said at least one path depending upon said first direction, wherein each of said at least one path corresponds to a separate sub area which covers at least a part of said area. , when said computer programme is run on a computer.

21. Computer programme product comprising a program code stored on a computer readable media for performing a method for generating a route comprising at least one path, wherein the method is suitable for aircraft reconnaissance of an area, comprising the steps of:

encompassing the area with a geometrical figure;

generating a first direction depending upon a configuration of said figure;

generating said at least one path depending upon said first direction, wherein each of said at least one path corresponds to a separate sub area which covers at least a part of said area. , when said computer programme is run on the computer.

22. Computer programme product directly storable in an internal memory of a computer, comprising a computer programme for performing a method for generating a route comprising at least one path, wherein the method is suitable for aircraft reconnaissance of an area, comprising the steps of:

encompassing the area with a geometrical figure;

generating a first direction depending upon a configuration of said figure;

generating said at least one path depending upon said first direction, wherein each of said at least one path corresponds to a separate sub area which covers at least a part of said area. , when said computer programme is run on the computer.

23. Method for generating a route comprising separate paths covering a search area;

the method comprising the step of;

dividing the search area into paths, wherein said paths are assigned a direction which minimizes the total distance of travel between said separate paths.