Method and apparatus for computer vision analysis of cannon-launched artillery video

PatentAn automated method to quantify the pitching and yawing motion of a projectile during ballistic flight using two camera/tracker video systems. Image processing tools are used to segment the shape of the projectile in each frame of a launch video, which allows the location and observed pitch angle to be calculated with sub-pixel accuracy. Subsequent automated analysis uses the history of the projectile location and the pitching behavior to calculate estimates for the epicyclic motion, as well as other ballistic parameters such as aeroballistic coefficients. Using two cameras located at different orthographic views of the line-of-fire (LOF) allows the pitching and yawing motion history of the projectile to be calculated in three dimensions (3D). In addition, input of the camera locations, cannon trunnion location, and the cannon pointing direction allows for automatic correction for camera misalignment