Cover: Target Acquisition through Visual Recognition
Read Online

Target Acquisition through Visual Recognition

An Early Model

by H. H. Bailey

Download Free Electronic Document

FormatFile SizeNotes
PDF file 0.6 MB

Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience.

A simple mathematical formulation of the probability of an airborne observer detecing a specific object of search. The model, first presented in RM-6158/1, considers the probability of recognition to be a function of the apparent size and contrast of the target, the required search rate, and the congestion of the scene (false-target density). Each of the terms is expressed as a function of a few input parameters, and target size is the only parameter that appears in more than one term. The basic model, applicable to static situations such as search from a hovering helicopter, is then extended by an additional term to apply to flight toward the target. A further term is introduced to account for the effect of a moving target, based on R-614 and R-688 by Dugas and Petersen. This model is of wide applicability, since it deals only with the observer and the information presented to him, whether visually, with optical aids, or via sophisticated artificial sensors.

This report is part of the RAND Corporation Paper series. The paper was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1948 to 2003 that captured speeches, memorials, and derivative research, usually prepared on authors' own time and meant to be the scholarly or scientific contribution of individual authors to their professional fields. Papers were less formal than reports and did not require rigorous peer review.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.