Cultural Feature And Syntax Analysis For Automatic Acquisition
Lois E. Sauer, John Taskett · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1981
This paper describes a set of algorithms for application in autonomous acquisition of large targets. These targets are identified by means of a straightforward three-step process. First, the scene is segmented into regions of nearly uniform intensity. Using some simple metrics, each region is then classified into a feature class. Finally, the surrounding feature-classified regions (syntax) are examined to identify the target. Initially, bridges and dams were chosen as the target class, with the acquisition of roads and bodies of water as paths to the target. Additional efforts include using these paths as navigation aids and, optionally, locating objects of interest along the path to a larger target. Extensive simulation and study have been done over a wide variety of bridge and path imagery in training these algorithms. The results of the simulation are presented in support of this syntactic approach, and a brief analysis of the probable hardware implementation for these algorithms is included to emphasize their simplicity and practicality.