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:
Nov. 02, 1993
Filed:
Feb. 07, 1991
Gerald W Plunk, Diamond Bar, CA (US);
Hughes Training, Inc., Arlington, TX (US);
Abstract
A method for converting forward looking video or motion picture imagery into a downlooking database suitable for use in an image generation system to generate realtime perspective images for simulation purposes. A digital video camera photographs a sequence of forward looking frames along a course including several known ground control points. Digital data from the digital video camera is read into a computer. The initial position and the position of ground control points is read into the computer. A Kalman filter technique provides continuous estimates of exact camera location in x, y, z coordinates, and in roll, pitch and yaw orientation. A correlation filter determines corresponding pixels in adjacent frames. Range from the camera to the pixel surfaces is calculated to determine the x, y and z position thereof. A modified mathematical stereophotogrammetry technique is used. Radiometric data and elevation data is extracted from the lower portion of the frame for each pixel. After the radiometric and elevation data have been established for each pixel in each frame, the imagery is warped onto the elevation data to generate a top down view. The database is then ready for use in an image generation system.