Michael A Neff

US Patent:

59829451, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

Jan 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/006130

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Ferguson MO
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO
Steven A. Wright - St. Louis MO
Victor E. Ratkowski - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation - St. Louis MO

International Classification:

G06K 900
G06K 934
G06K 938
G06K 962
G06K 964

US Classification:

382271

Abstract:

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N. sub. T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N. sub. i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparison means for comparing the test image to the template. The comparison means determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparison means also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template.

US Patent:

58091718, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

Jan 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/583598

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Ferguson MO
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO
Steven A. Wright - St. Louis MO
Victor E. Ratkowski - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation - St. Louis MO

International Classification:

G06K 962
G06K 968
G06F 15316

US Classification:

382209

Abstract:

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N. sub. T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N. sub. i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparator for comparing the test image to the template. The comparator respectively determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparator respectively also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template.

US Patent:

59464224, Aug 31, 1999

Filed:

Jan 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/006124

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Ferguson MO
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO
Steven A. Wright - Troy MO
Victor E. Ratkowski - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation

International Classification:

G06F 15316

US Classification:

382278

Abstract:

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N. sub. T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N. sub. i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparison means for comparing the test image to the template. The comparison means determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparison means also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template.

US Patent:

59829303, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

Jan 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/006402

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Ferguson MO
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO
Steven A. Wright - St. Louis MO
Victor E. Ratkowski - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation - St. Louis MO

International Classification:

G06K 962
G06K 964

US Classification:

382209

Abstract:

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N. sub. T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N. sub. i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparison means for comparing the test image to the template. The comparison means determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparison means also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template.

US Patent:

58908080, Apr 6, 1999

Filed:

Jan 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

/006407

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Ferguson MO
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO
Steven A. Wright - St. Louis MO
Victor E. Ratkowski - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation - St. Louis MO

International Classification:

G06K 900
G06K 962
G06K 968
G06K 974

US Classification:

382209

Abstract:

The image correlation method and apparatus correlates or matches a test image with a template. The image correlation apparatus includes an image processor for partitioning the template into a number of labels, for determining the total number of pixels N. sub. T which form the template and for determining the number of pixels N. sub. i which form each of the labels i. The image correlation apparatus also includes comparison means for comparing the test image to the template. The comparison means determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j,i representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to a predetermined label i of the template. The comparison means also determines, for each predetermined gray level j, the number of pixels of the test image N. sub. j representative of a predetermined gray level j which correspond to the template.

US Patent:

20160202354, Jul 14, 2016

Filed:

Oct 26, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/923337

Inventors:

- CHICAGO IL, US
Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US
Michael G. Neff - Lake Saint Louis MO, US

International Classification:

G01S 13/89
G01S 7/41
G01S 13/87

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for providing a dynamic target impact point sweetener is disclosed. An example method includes identifying a target based on a composite three-dimensional image generated based on data received from a first aerial vehicle acting as a master vehicle and a second aerial vehicle acting as a slave vehicle; changing a role of the first aerial vehicle to the slave vehicle; changing the role of the second aerial vehicle to the master vehicle; and causing, using the second aerial vehicle acting as the master vehicle, a third vehicle to attack the target based on the identity of the target.

US Patent:

20100274487, Oct 28, 2010

Filed:

Jul 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/834867

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US
Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US
Chang-Shaung R. Lee - Town and Country MO, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701302

Abstract:

Route search planner methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a probability map can be generated from previous sensor scans combined with a projected target location of relocatable targets in a target area. A route can be generated by a route generator, based at least in part on the probability map, and based on optimal system performance capabilities utilized to search for at least one of the relocatable targets. A search manager can then assign an evaluation criteria value to the route based on route evaluation criteria, and compare the evaluation criteria value to other evaluation criteria values corresponding to respective previously generated routes to determine an optimal route. The search manager can then determine whether to generate one or more additional routes and assign additional evaluation criteria values for comparison to determine the optimal route.

US Patent:

20100104185, Apr 29, 2010

Filed:

May 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/383914

Inventors:

Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US
Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 9/34

US Classification:

382173, 382190

Abstract:

Methods and systems for detecting the insertion, removal, and change of objects of interest through the use of imagery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a scene registration including aligning image patterns in the first image to those in the second image; performing a feature content analysis to determine a likelihood of change for each pixel in the first and second images; performing a region identification to group pixels within the first and second images into one or more image regions based upon their likelihood of change; and performing an image region partitioning to prioritize the one or more image regions according to an image region score for each of the one or more image regions, the image region score being indicative of at least one of insertion, removal, and change of an object of interest within the common area of interest. Embodiments of the invention may advantageously provide an autonomous capability to detect the insertion, removal, and change of objects of interest.