Visual Intelligence Patents
US Patents
12.08.09 VI is awarded our newest US Patent entitled "System and Method for Mosaicing Digital Ortho-Images"
1. “Vehicle Based Data Collecting and Processing System”
U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,348 (“the ‘348 Patent”)
The ‘348 Patent issued on October 24, 2006, and is generally directed toward VI’s system for terrain mapping. Major challenges facing remote sensing and imaging applications are spatial resolution and spectral fidelity. Photographic issues, such as spherical aberrations, astigmatism, field curvature, coma, distortion, and chromatic aberrations are well known problems that must be dealt with in any sensor/imaging application. Prior methods have often dealt with these issues by compromising either resolution or field of view. For example, if the system was designed to provide a high resolution image then the field of view of the imaging device was typically smaller. On the other hand, if the system provided a larger field of view then the resolution of the data would be decreased and the distortions increased. Accordingly, there is a need for a vehicle data collection and processing system that renders high quality images over a large field of view.
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a vehicle data collection and processing system. The system includes at least two imaging sensors with intersecting focal axes, and a number of positioning devices, which are secured to the vehicle. The vehicle is, preferably, an aircraft; however, it may also be an automobile, a satellite, a train, and the like.
The positioning devices include a global position transmitter, an elevation measurement unit, a global positing antenna, and an attitude measurement unit. A computer is used to monitor the positioning devices, and to correlate at least a portion of image data from the image sensors to a portion of the surface based on input the devices.
2. “System for Mosaicing Digital Ortho-Images Having At Least Three Imaging Sensors”
U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,194 (“the ‘194 Patent”)
The ‘194 Patent issued on August 9, 2005, and is generally directed toward VI’s method of improving mosacied images both during and after imaging. One conventional method of ortho-imaging involves rendering a composite image of a target by compiling varying sub-images of the target. Typically, in aerial imaging applications a digital imaging device records images of fixed subsections of a target area. Those images are then aligned according to some sequence to render a composite of the target area. Such renderings are generally time consuming and labor intensive. In addition, prior automated balancing systems proved to be susceptible to image anomalies, e.g., unusually bright or dark objects. There is a need for an ortho-image rendering system that provides efficient and versatile imaging for very large field of views while maintaining image quality and clarity.
In one embodiment of the invention is directed toward a method for maintaining desired image intensity. The method includes evaluating a target image and identifying green dominant pixels. Then, the average intensity of those green dominant pixels is determined, and evaluated against the desired image intensity. With such information, the exposure time of the imaging system can be adjusted to reduce the difference between the average and desired image intensity.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed toward a method of mosaicing two overlapping digital input images. The method includes providing a reference image and a secondary image that overlaps the reference image. The reference and secondary images are correlated to compute a balancing matrix. Then, the intensity of the pixels within the overlap area of the secondary image can be scaled to match the intensity of the pixels within the overlap area of the reference image.
In a further embodiment, the invention is directed toward a method of processing color input images to reduce bias. The method includes selecting green dominate pixels from a first and second input image, and computing each of their respective average intensity values. The average intensity values of the first and second input images are then compared, and the first or second input image is processed responsive to the results of the comparison.
3. “A Method of Using A Self-Locking Travel Pattern to Achieve In-Travel Calibration of Remote Sensors”
U.S. Pat. No. 7,212,938 (“the ‘938 Patent”)
The ‘938 Patent issued on May 1, 2007, and is generally directed toward a method of calibrating remote sensors using a self locking flight pattern. The conventional methods of calibrating remote sensors include using calibration targets during separate calibration flights. These targets, at times cloth panels, were placed at known locations within a target area. The remote sensors were flown above the calibration targets and imaged the target area. The test locations of the images were compared against the known locations of the calibration targets to determine the offset and calibrate the sensors. These methods have significant disadvantages including the costs associated with the calibration targets and the separate calibration flight. Accordingly, there is a need for remote sensor technology that provides an inexpensive calibration method, which avoids the need for calibration targets and a separate calibration flights.
In an embodiment, the inventive is directed to a method of mounting at least one remote sensor to a vehicle and moving the vehicle in a self locking pattern. The pattern includes at least three substantially parallel travel lines, wherein at least one travel line is in an opposing direction as compared to the other lines. The method further includes generating swath widths for each substantially parallel travel line, and collecting remote sensing data during movement. The remote sensing data is input into a computer to calculate calibration data. And, the calibration data is applied to the remote sensing data to remove bias in a displayable image output or in an electrical strength signal. In this manner, the calibration can be completed without ant calibrations targets or a separate calibration flight.
4. “Vehicle Based Data Collection and Processing System and Imaging Sensor System and Methods Thereof” - CoCo™
U.S. Pat. App. No. 11/581,235
In working with its patented camera system, VI found that errors in imagery were greatly reduced if the sensors were rigidly mounted and registered to each other.
As an improvement to the technology, U.S. Pat. App. No. 11/581,235 (“the CoCo™ Application”) was filed on October 11, 2006. The CoCo™application was filed as a continuation in part of U.S. Pat. App. No. 10/664,737, which granted as U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,348. The pending claims are directed toward an incorporation of the co-mounted and co-registered nature into VI’s system for terrain mapping.