The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 2019
Filed:
Jun. 07, 2018
Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, NH (US);
Robert T Carlson, Bedford, NH (US);
Dennis P Bowler, Sudbury, MA (US);
David C Donarski, Manassas, VA (US);
David A Haessig, Jr., Towaco, NJ (US);
Stuart M Lopata, Totowa, NJ (US);
Dale A Rickard, Manassas, VA (US);
BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, NH (US);
Abstract
A disclosed apparatus and method detect light source 'hotspots' and recognize laser communication signals within a scene, while minimizing repeat consideration of previously detected light sources. Local maxima are identified in pixel frames from a focal plane array (FPA), and compared with a table of previous detections. FPA frames can be used directly for hotspot detection, or successive FPA frames can be subtracted for edge detection. Most recent detection frame numbers, coordinates, signal values, and/or other information can be updated in the table upon repeat detection of a hotspot. Source identifying information can be included in the table for entries that are identified as laser communication signals. Source identifying features can be evaluated so that only signals of interest are saved in the table. Hotspots that remain undetected after a designated number of frames can be deleted from the table.