Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

The Analytic Sciences Corporation

Victor T Tom

Stephen P Delmarco

Helen F Webb

Techniques are provided for vision-based altitude estimation using one or more platform mounted cameras. An embodiment includes generating projected ground imagery of imagery provided by cameras of the platform, the projection based on a hypothesized altitude. The method also includes obtaining reference ground imagery based on the location of the platform, the location based on platform navigation data. The method further includes registering the projected ground imagery to the reference ground imagery and generating a match score associated with the registration. The method further includes selecting the hypothesized altitude as the estimated altitude based on the match score (e.g., if the match score exceeds a threshold value or is maximized over a set of hypothesized altitudes. The method may further include otherwise adjusting the hypothesized altitude and repeating the altitude estimation process based on the adjusted hypothesized altitude to search for an improved estimated altitude based on the match score.

Multi-camera system for altitude estimation

An image registration system and method for matching images having fundamentally different characteristics. One exemplary feature of the system and method includes the use of an enhanced phase correlation method combined with a coarse sensor model to hypothesize and match a custom match metric to determine a best solution. The system and method may be operated on a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which when executed by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the image registration method utilizing the enhanced phase correlation.

Enhanced phase correlation for image registration

A method for vision-aided navigation which utilizes an image registration system to update a navigation control system. One exemplary feature of the method includes the use of Enhanced Phase Correlation techniques to create a reference imagery database and register images against the created database. The method may be operated on a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which when executed by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method for vision-aided navigation which utilizes an image registration system to update a navigation control system.

Method for vision-aided navigation for unmanned vehicles

A system and method enhances a first pictorial representation of an image within a first frequency band so as to provide an enhanced pictorial representation of the image. The system and method uses information contained within at least one other registered pictorial representation of the image within a second frequency band and having a better resolution than the first pictorial representation of the image. In accordance with the operation of the system and carrying out the steps of method of the present invention, the other pictorial representation is modified, preferably by effectively blurring the representation to the resolution of the first pictorial representation such that local correlation information between the resulting modified pictorial representation and the first pictorial representation are determined and used to generate the enhanced version of the first pictorial representation.

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Bedford, MA, United States of America

Victor T Tom