Jul 14, 2026

US12681474 - Machine to machine targeting maintaining positive identification

A method of targeting, which involves capturing a first video of a scene about a potential targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; transmitting the first video and associated potential targeting coordinate by the first aircraft; receiving the first video on a first display in communication with a processor, the processor also receiving the potential targeting coordinate; selecting the potential targeting coordinate to be an actual targeting coordinate for a second aircraft in response to viewing the first video on the first display; and guiding a second aircraft toward the actual targeting coordinate; where positive identification of a target corresponding to the actual targeting coordinate is maintained from selection of the actual targeting coordinate.

Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
Inventors: Macdonald John Peebles, Andrew Martin, Charles Lawrence Baker, Daisy Wang, Kevin Jay Aguilar, Matthew Allen Hanna, Brian Young, Eric Sornborger, Eric James Aagaard
Filing date: 2024-09-13

targetingaviationmilitaryvideosurveillance

The patent describes a method for targeting that utilizes video sensors on two aircraft to maintain positive identification of a target by capturing and displaying video feeds simultaneously. This process involves selecting a potential targeting coordinate based on the first aircraft’s video and guiding the second aircraft toward the identified target while ensuring accurate identification through both video streams.

Claim 1

1 . A targeting method, comprising: capturing a first video of a scene about a targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; capturing a second video of the scene by a second video sensor on a second aircraft; and displaying the second video proximate to the first video as the second aircraft approaches the targeting coordinate; wherein a positive identification is executed based on a target being identified in both the first video and the second video simultaneously. capturing a first video of a scene about a targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; capturing a second video of the scene by a second video sensor on a second aircraft; and displaying the second video proximate to the first video as the second aircraft approaches the targeting coordinate; wherein a positive identification is executed based on a target being identified in both the first video and the second video simultaneously.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12681474

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12681474