Video search and rescue device

• US 6,678,395 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vsar Corporation
• Original Assignee: Jonathan C. Gradie, Robert N. Yonover
• Inventors: Yonover, Robert N., Dikeman, Dave, Gradie, Jonathan C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US09/814,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382/162, 382/191, 382/270, 382/278, 250/206.1, 250/206.2, 250/206.3, 244/3.17
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/48 Means for searching for underwater objects means for indicating the location of sunken objects B63C7/26; locating by use of the reflection or reradiation of radio or other waves G01S ; mountings of acoustic transducers in underwater equipment G10K11/006
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/00 Life-saving in water life-saving in general A62B; arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices for ships, other waterborne vessels or for equipment for shipping B63B45/00; rescue equipment specially adapted for submarine personnel B63G8/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/781 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/782 Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/255 Detecting or recognising potential candidate objects based on visual cues, e.g. shapes

Abstract

A device for locating a lost target or for surveillance and monitoring of an area for a target having spectral and spatial profiles comprises a digital multi-spectral camera aimed at or scanning an area of interest, the camera generating spectral and spatial output; and a computer including a program for processing in real-time the output of the camera, triggering an alarm when the target is detected from the output.

Claims

1. A device for locating a lost target having spectral and spatial characteristics, comprising:

a) a digital multi-spectral camera aimed at an area of interest where the target may be located, said camera generating spectral and spatial output; and

b) a computer including a program for processing in real-time the spectral and spatial output of said camera, and triggering an alarm when the target is detected from the output.

2. A device as in claim 1, and further comprising a device for generating a GPS signal pertaining to a location of the target.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein said processing program includes filtering the output of said camera based on the spectral characteristics of the target.

4. A device as in claim 3, wherein:

a) said filtering includes calculating the correlation coefficient of each pixel with a known spectral characteristic of the target and thresholding each pixel to generate a binary correlation image; and

b) said processing program includes detecting the target from said binary correlation image.

5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said detecting is performed only if the binary correlation image contains a target of interest.

6. A device as in claim 4, wherein:

a) said detecting includes passing a first window over said binary correlation image;

b) summing the pixel within said first window; and

c) alarming when the sum exceeds a threshold.

7. A device as in claim 4, wherein:

a) said detecting includes passing first and second windows over said binary correlation image, said second window encompassing said first window;

b) summing the pixels within said first window with the pixels inside said second window but outside said first window; and

c) alarming when the sum is above a lower threshold and below a higher threshold.

8. A device as in claim 4, wherein said processing program includes a 2-dimensional correlation of said binary correlation image with the target spatial characteristics.

9. A device as in claim 6, wherein said processing program includes a 2-dimensional correlation of binary correlation image with the target spatial characteristics only if the sum within the first window exceeds the threshold.

10. A device as in claim 1, wherein said camera includes a scanning mirror.

11. A device as in claim 10, and further comprising means for stabilizing said scanning mirror.

12. A device as in claim 1, and further comprising means for stabilizing said camera.

13. A device as in claim 1, wherein said camera includes a focal plane having a two-dimensional array detectors for framing camera imaging.

14. A device as in claim 1, wherein said camera includes a focal plane having linear array detectors.

15. A device as in claim 1, wherein said camera includes a focal plane comprising a spot detector.

16. A device as in claim 1, wherein said camera includes a focal plane comprising CCD detectors.

17. A device as in claim 1, wherein said camera is configured to image an IR illuminated target.

18. A device for locating a lost target having spectral and spatial characteristics, comprising:

a) means for imaging an area of interest where the target may be found, said imaging means generating spectral and spatial output; and

b) means for processing the spectral and spatial output of said imaging means and triggering an alarm when the target is detected from the output.

19. A device as in claim 18, and further comprising means for stabilizing said imaging means.

20. A method for locating a lost target having spectral and spatial characteristics, comprising:

a) imaging an area of interest where the target may be found with a multi-spectral digital camera;

b) calculating the correlation coefficient of each pixel with a known spectrum of the target;

c) generating a binary correlation image by setting each pixel to a value of one or zero if the correlation coefficient of the pixel is above or below a threshold, respectively;

d) detecting the target from the binary correlation image.

21. A method as in claim 20, wherein:

a) said detecting includes triggering an alarm.

22. A method as in claim 20, wherein said detecting is performed only if the binary correlation image contains a target of interest.

23. A method as in claim 20, wherein:

a) said detecting includes passing a first window over the binary correlation image;

b) summing the pixel within the window; and

c) alarming when the sum exceeds a threshold.

24. A method as in claim 20, wherein:

a) said detecting includes passing first and second windows over the binary correlation image, said second window encompassing said first window;

b) summing the pixels within the first window with the pixels inside the second window but outside the first window; and

c) alarming when the sum is above a lower threshold and below a higher threshold.

25. A method as in claim 24, wherein said detecting includes a 2-dimensional correlation of the binary correlation image with the target spatial characteristics only if the sum within the first window exceeds the threshold.

26. A method as in claim 20, and further comprising mounting the camera to a vehicle.

27. A method as in claim 26, wherein said imaging includes scanning the area across the direction of path of the vehicle.

28. A method as in claim 26, wherein said scanning is directed ahead of the direction of path of the vehicle.

29. A method as in claim 26, wherein said scanning is along the direction of travel of the vehicle.

30. A method as in claim 26, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

31. A method as in claim 26, and further comprising stabilizing the camera to compensate for motions of the vehicle.

32. An apparatus for surveillance and monitoring of an area for a target having spectral and spatial characteristics, comprising:

a) a digital multi-spectral camera aimed at or scanning an area of interest where the target may appear, said camera generating spectral and spatial output; and

b) a computer including a program for processing in real-time the spectral and spatial output of said camera, and triggering an alarm when the target is detected from the output.

33. An apparatus as in claim 32, and further comprising means for alerting an operator of the location of the target.