Method and system for data fusion using spatial and temporal diversity between sensors
First Claim
1. A method for integrating data received from a plurality of sensors, comprising:
- receiving data from a plurality of sensors having overlapping scanning areas;
determining a S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for each sensor based on signal measurements of the received data;
determining a plurality of reliability functions for the plurality of sensors from using a plurality of predetermined calculations combining each sensor reliability function which are determined and individually weighted based on said S/N ratio for each sensor and differences between predetermined operating characteristics for each sensor;
selecting one or a predetermined combination of said plurality of reliability functions as a current reliability function based on the selected one or predetermined combination satisfying predetermined threshold; and
determining the presence or absence of an object of interest within the overlapping scanning areas, based upon data from the sensors and at least one selected reliability function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system provide a multi-sensor data fusion system capable of adaptively weighting the contributions from each one of a plurality of sensors using a plurality of data fusion methods. During a predetermined tracking period, the system receives data from each individual sensor and each data fusion method is performed to determine a plurality of reliability functions for the system based on combining each sensor reliability function which are individually weighted based on the S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for the received data from each sensor, and a comparison of predetermined sensor operation characteristics for each sensor and a best performing (most reliable) sensor. The system may dynamically select to use one or a predetermined combination of the generated reliability functions as the current (best) reliability function which provides a confidence level for the multi-sensor system relating to the correct classification (recognition) of targets and decoys.
41 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for integrating data received from a plurality of sensors, comprising:
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receiving data from a plurality of sensors having overlapping scanning areas;
determining a S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for each sensor based on signal measurements of the received data;
determining a plurality of reliability functions for the plurality of sensors from using a plurality of predetermined calculations combining each sensor reliability function which are determined and individually weighted based on said S/N ratio for each sensor and differences between predetermined operating characteristics for each sensor;
selecting one or a predetermined combination of said plurality of reliability functions as a current reliability function based on the selected one or predetermined combination satisfying predetermined threshold; and
determining the presence or absence of an object of interest within the overlapping scanning areas, based upon data from the sensors and at least one selected reliability function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for integrating data received from a plurality of sensors, comprising:
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receiving data from a plurality of sensors;
determining a S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for each sensor based on signal measurements of the received data;
determining a plurality of reliability functions for the plurality of sensors from using a plurality of predetermined calculations combining each sensor reliability function which are determined and individually weighted based on said S/N ratio for each sensor and differences between predetermined operating characteristics for each sensor; and
selecting one or a predetermined combination of said plurality of reliability functions as a current reliability function based on the selected one or predetermined combination satisfying predetermined thresholds;
wherein said determining a plurality of reliability functions includes determining said plurality of reliability functions from using one of a predetermined additive, multiplicative, and fuzzy logic calculation combing each sensor reliability function; and
wherein said determining a plurality of reliability functions includes determining empty sets and ignorance sets for the received data from the plurality of sensors based on said predetermined multiplicative calculation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for integrating data received from a plurality of sensors, comprising:
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receiving data from a plurality of sensors;
determining a S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for each sensor based on signal measurements of the received data;
determining a plurality of reliability functions for the plurality of sensors from using a plurality of predetermined calculations combining each sensor reliability function which are determined and individually weighted based on said S/N ratio for each sensor and differences between predetermined operating characteristics for each sensor; and
selecting one or a predetermined combination of said plurality of reliability functions as a current reliability function based on the selected one or predetermined combination satisfying predetermined thresholds;
wherein said determining a plurality of reliability functions includes determining said individual weighting based on a predetermined parameter for the plurality of sensors satisfying a predetermined threshold, and determining said plurality of reliability functions, based on using said plurality of predetermined calculations for a single sensor reliability function, when said predetermined parameter fails to satisfy said predetermined threshold;
wherein said predetermined parameter is a false alarm rate for the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A multi-sensor system, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors for receiving data having overlapping scanning areas; and
at least one controller for performing the steps of;
determining a S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for each sensor based on signal measurements of the received data;
determining a plurality of reliability functions for the plurality of sensors from using a plurality of predetermined calculations combining each sensor reliability function which are determined and individually weighted based on said S/N ratio for each sensor and differences between predetermined operating characteristics for each sensor;
selecting one or a predetermined combination of said plurality of reliability functions as a current reliability function based on the selected at least one satisfying a predetermined threshold; and
determining the presence or absence of an object of interest within the overlapping scanning areas, based upon data from the sensors and at least one selected reliability function. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for integrating data received from a plurality of sensors, comprising:
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receiving data from a plurality of sensors;
determining a S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for each sensor based on signal measurements of the received data;
determining a plurality of reliability functions for the plurality of sensors from using a plurality of predetermined calculations combining each sensor reliability function which are determined and individually weighted based on said S/N ratio for each sensor and differences between predetermined operating characteristics for each sensor; and
selecting one or a predetermined combination of said plurality of reliability functions as a current reliability function based on the selected one or predetermined combination satisfying predetermined thresholds;
wherein said controller to determine said individual weighting based on a predetermined parameter for the plurality of sensors satisfying a predetermined threshold, and said controller to determine said plurality of reliability functions, based on using said plurality of predetermined calculations for a single sensor reliability function, when said predetermined parameter fails to satisfy said predetermined threshold;
wherein said predetermined parameter is a false alarm rate for the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to:
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receive data from a plurality of sensors having overlapping scanning areas;
determine a S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio for each sensor based on signal measurements of the received data;
determine a plurality of reliability functions for the plurality of sensors from using a plurality of predetermined calculations combining each sensor reliability function which are determined and individually weighted based on said S/N ratio for each sensor and differences between predetermined operating characteristics for each sensor; and
select at one or a predetermined combination of said plurality of reliability functions to use as a current reliability function based on the selected at least one satisfying a predetermined threshold; and
determine the presence or absence of an object of interest within the overlapping scanning areas, based upon data from the sensors and at least one selected reliability function. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification