Automated Projectile Length Measurement via Video Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing geometric changes of projectiles in flight are labor-intensive, prone to human error, and require extensive manual or user-interaction-driven data analysis, lacking precision and efficiency, especially when dealing with high-speed video data from multiple camera systems.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method that processes projectile flight video to segment the projectile shape, determine a length history, and apply a correction factor for accurate geometric analysis, utilizing Active Shape Models and geodetic information to calculate sub-pixel accurate geometry and orientation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If automated camera systems are used to track projectiles, then the quantity of flight data increases, but the difficulty of analyzing the data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis methods with automated computer-based image processing and analysis systems. The system automatically captures projectile images, processes them through algorithms to extract geometric parameters, and generates analysis results without human intervention, thereby handling large quantities of flight data efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of projectile images from video frames and processes these copies through computational algorithms. By working with digital representations rather than physical measurements, the system can analyze大量data quickly and accurately without the limitations of manual measurement methods
2Device complexity
If manual analysis of flight video is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automated analysis system where the computer automatically performs image processing, parameter extraction, and geometric evolution analysis without requiring human operators. The system serves itself by autonomously completing the entire analysis workflow from raw video input to final results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric parameters from complex flight video data using automated image processing. By taking out and focusing on specific measurable features (such as projectile length, width, and shape parameters) rather than analyzing the entire video dataset manually, the system achieves high productivity with controlled complexity
3Measurement precision
If user interaction is required to re-select tracked points, then measurement precision can be maintained, but ease of operation decreases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automated tracking of projectile features across all video frames before final analysis. The system pre-identifies and tracks key geometric points throughout the flight sequence, maintaining precision through continuous automated monitoring rather than requiring intermittent user intervention to re-select points
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to quantify the geometric change of a projectile during ballistic flight using a camera/tracker video system. Image processing tools are used to segment the shape of the projectile in each frame of a launch video, which allows the length to be calculated with sub-pixel accuracy. Subsequent automated analysis uses a baseline length history of a constant length projectile to correct for variations in measured length due to system layout and camera location.