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Landmark Navigation for Vehicles Using Blinking Optical Beacons

  • US 20080262718A1
  • Filed: 04/17/2007
  • Published: 10/23/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for landmark navigation of a vehicle, comprising:

  • a. storing data in the vehicle representing locations of each of a plurality of optical beacons in a field of operation, wherein an optical beacon emits or reflects an optical signal at a predetermined blink frequency;

    b. during a position update cycle;

    i. capturing a pair of image frames in the field of operation with at least one imaging device on the vehicle;

    ii. generating data representing a difference frame between the two image frames in the pair of image frames;

    iii. identifying pixel locations of optical beacons in the difference frame; and

    iv. deriving a position and orientation of the vehicle from data representing pixel locations of optical beacons in the difference frame and from the stored data representing the location of each of the optical beacons in the field of operation.

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