Active Agent Unit Alignment Using Target Key Points

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for aligning active agent units, such as lasers or missiles, with target objects are not precise enough, leading to inefficient energy deposition and potential misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves determining target key points and multidimensional descriptors from a target image, allowing for precise alignment of the active agent unit using these characteristic features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional alignment methods are used, then the alignment process is simple, but the alignment precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the target object into multiple key points and extracting multiple characteristic image features (such as SIFT, SURF, ORB features) from different regions. This segmentation approach enables precise localization of the target object by tracking multiple discrete features rather than relying on a single alignment point, thereby improving alignment precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular feature extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If high-energy laser is used to disrupt target, then the energy deposition is effective, but the alignment accuracy is insufficient leading to energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy deposition efficiencyVSAvoidtarget alignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously capturing images of the target object, extracting characteristic image features, and using these features to dynamically adjust and maintain precise alignment of the laser beam with the target. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the high-energy laser remains accurately positioned on the target throughout the disruption process, maximizing energy deposition efficiency and preventing energy loss due to misalignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing the target image to extract multiple characteristic image features and determine the precise position and orientation of the target object before initiating laser disruption. This preliminary alignment phase ensures that the laser beam is correctly positioned on the target from the outset, optimizing energy deposition efficiency and avoiding energy waste that would result from mid-process realignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple characteristic features are extracted, then the alignment accuracy improves, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget position determination accuracyVSAvoidimage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively extracting a limited number of the most informative characteristic image features from the target image rather than processing all possible features. This selective feature extraction approach maintains high alignment accuracy by focusing on key discriminative features while reducing the overall processing time and computational burden compared to exhaustive feature analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3089076B1Method for aligning an agent unit on a target object
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3089076B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3089076B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for aligning an active agent unit (6) to a target object (2), in which a target image (22) of the target object (2) is created, characteristic image features of the target object (2) are determined from the target image (22), and the active agent unit (6) is aligned to the target object (2) using these characteristic image features. To enable precise alignment of the active agent unit (6) to the target object (2), it is proposed that target key points in the target image (22) be used as characteristic image features, and that at least one multidimensional target descriptor be determined for each target key point. The active agent unit (6) is then aligned to the target object (2) using the positions of the target key points.