State-of-the-art Tracking and Video Mosaic

"We will demonstrate state-of-the-art techniques which meet and exceed current operational capabilities for the ILARTS island operator. Sophisticated tracking will allow automatic slewing of a pan/tilt/zoom camera during launches and recoveries to maintainan aircraft at a user specified position and size within the camera's field of view. The tracking can also follow an arresting wire and an occluded aircraft until its sidenumbers become easily visible. Our video mosaic approach will offer bettercapabilities than are currently possible: 010 Level cameras will be less obstructed than an 07 Level operator's view; imagery can be digitally enhanced with integration, sharpening, and de-glare algorithms; the digitally constructed panoramic view can havesuperimposed cueing information (movement in hard to see aircraft, possible foul deck conditions). Finally, even non-routine/emergency incidents can be tracked with minimal manual control of the pan/tilt/zoom camera; automatic tracking algorithms canfollow hovering helos, aircraft with blown tires, or Tilly after being manually targeted an a particular object.Our technology provides real-time tracking and video mosaicing capabilities on inexpensive PC compatible desktop workstations. Automatic tracking has profound application in environments which require tedious manual tracking of objects (either with eyes or a mechanical device); the security industry; entertainment; sports; and traffi