IP Library Granted Patent US 9,904,849
Granted Patent B2
US 9,904,849 · App. 15/608,894 · Granted Feb 27, 2018

System for simplified generation of systems for broad area geospatial object detection

Inventors: Adam Estrada (Bethesda, MD); Kevin Green (Aldie, VA); Andrew Jenkins (Waterford, VA)
Assignee: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.
G06K9/0063G06K9/4642G06K9/6259G06K9/6262G06K9/6267G06T7/73G06T7/10G06T2207/10032G06T2207/20081G06T2207/20084G06T2207/30181
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,904,849
App. No.
15/608,894
Granted
Feb 27, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for simplified generation of systems for analysis of satellite images to geolocate one or more objects of interest. A plurality of training images labeled for a study object or objects with irrelevant features loaded into a preexisting feature identification subsystem causes automated generation of models for the study object. This model is used to parameterize pre-engineered machine learning elements that are running a preprogrammed machine learning protocol. Training images with the study are used to train object recognition filters. This filter is used to identify the study object in unanalyzed images. The system reports results in a requestor's preferred format.

Claims (21)

1. A system for simplified generation of systems for broad area geospatial object detection comprising:

an object model creation module comprising a processor, a memory, and a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operable on the processor, wherein the plurality of programming instructions:

receives a plurality labeled positive training orthorectified geospatial images in at least some of which an object of interest has been identified;

retrieves a plurality of labeled negative training orthorectified geospatial images where objects that are not the object of interest, at least one of which closely resembles the object of interest, have been identified;

programmatically isolates features found in the objects of interest but not in the irrelevant training objects; and

creates at least one object of interest classification model using the features unique to the object of interest;

a machine learning classifier training and verification computer comprising a processor, a memory, and a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operable on the processor, wherein the plurality of programming instructions:

accepts at least one classification model;

retrieves a plurality of labeled and unlabeled orthorectified geospatial training images each comprising the object of interest;

trains a plurality of pre-built machine learning classifier elements, each running a pre-programmed machine learning protocol parameterized with the classification model, using the plurality of labeled and unlabeled orthorectified geospatial training images each comprising the object of interest; and

for each trained machine learning classifier element, verifies performance in classifying the object of interest using a plurality of unlabeled orthorectified geospatial training images comprising the object of interest and a plurality of unlabeled orthorectified geospatial training images that do not contain the object of interest; and

a model-based object classifier comprising a processor, a memory, and a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operable on the processor, wherein the plurality of programming instructions:

retrieve the plurality of trained machine learning elements for the object of interest;

analyzes a plurality of resolution scale-corrected, unanalyzed orthorectified geospatial image segments for presence of at least one object of interest; and

reports the presence and location of any objects of interest found.

2. A method for simplified generation of systems for broad area geospatial object detection the step comprising:

(a) retrieving a plurality of color and spectrally optimized geospatial training images comprising an object of interest that is clearly labeled and a second plurality of color and spectrally optimized geospatial training images that do not contain the object of interest to isolate a set of visual features unique to the object of interest using an pre-engineered object model creation module comprising a processor, a memory, and a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operable on the processor;

(b) employing the set of visual features unique to the object of interest to parameterize at least one pre-engineered machine learning classifier element running at least one pre-programmed machine learning programming protocol using a machine learning classifier element training and verification module comprising a processor, a memory, and a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operable on the processor;

(c) training pre-engineered machine learning classifier elements to identify the object of interest using a plurality of training geospatial images with the object of interest labeled in one subset and not labeled in a second subset within the machine learning classifier element training and verification module;

(d) refining and confirming the fine specificity of trained machine learning classifier elements for the object of interest to the exclusion of other objects using geospatial training images not containing the object of interest, some of which comprise other irrelevant objects; and

(e) analyzing previously unanalyzed, scale corrected geospatial images for presence of the object of interest using trained machine learning classified element and reporting the results of the study in a format pre-determined by the study author.

Assignments (18)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2026
From: SIXTH STREET LENDING PARTNERS, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT
To: AURORA INSIGHT INC.; VANTOR INC. (F/K/A MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.); VANTOR SERVICES INC. (F/K/A MAXAR MISSION SOLUTIONS INC.); LANTERIS SPACE LLC (F/K/A MAXAR SPACE LLC); SPATIAL ENERGY, LLC; LANTERIS SPACE ROBOTICS LLC (F/K/A MAXAR SPACE ROBOTICS LLC); VANTOR HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS INC.)
Reel/Frame 075021/0624 →
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT Recorded Jan 7, 2026
From: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.
To: VANTOR INC.
Reel/Frame 074270/0330 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 4, 2025
From: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.
To: VANTOR INC.
Reel/Frame 073461/0767 →
RELEASE (REEL 060389/FRAME 0720) Recorded May 12, 2023
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.; MAXAR SPACE LLC
Reel/Frame 063633/0431 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 5, 2023
From: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC. (F/K/A DIGITALGLOBE, INC.); AURORA INSIGHT INC.; MAXAR MISSION SOLUTIONS INC. ((F/K/A RADIANT MISSION SOLUTIONS INC. (F/K/A THE RADIANT GROUP, INC.)); MAXAR SPACE LLC (F/K/A SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, LLC); SPATIAL ENERGY, LLC; MAXAR SPACE ROBOTICS LLC ((F/K/A SSL ROBOTICS LLC) (F/K/A MDA US SYSTEMS LLC)); MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS INC.
To: SIXTH STREET LENDING PARTNERS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 063660/0138 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT - RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 053866/0412 Recorded May 4, 2023
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.; MAXAR SPACE LLC
Reel/Frame 063544/0011 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT - RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 060389/0782 Recorded May 4, 2023
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.; MAXAR SPACE LLC
Reel/Frame 063544/0074 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS - RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 044167/0396 Recorded May 4, 2023
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS AGENT
To: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.; MAXAR SPACE LLC
Reel/Frame 063543/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS - RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 051258/0465 Recorded May 4, 2023
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS AGENT
To: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.; MAXAR SPACE LLC
Reel/Frame 063542/0300 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 15, 2023
From: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.
To: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.
Reel/Frame 062760/0832 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.; SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, LLC; RADIANT GEOSPATIAL SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 060390/0282 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 17, 2022
From: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.; MAXAR SPACE LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 060389/0782 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2022
From: MAXAR INTELLIGENCE INC.; MAXAR SPACE LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 060389/0720 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 23, 2020
From: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053866/0412 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Dec 12, 2019
From: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.; RADIANT GEOSPATIAL SOLUTIONS LLC; SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, LLC (F/K/A SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL INC.)
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, - AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051262/0824 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 11, 2019
From: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051258/0465 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2017
From: ESTRADA, ADAM; GREEN, KEVIN; JENKINS, ANDREW
To: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.
Reel/Frame 043855/0576 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2017
From: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.; MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES LTD.; MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES CORPORATION; MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES INC.; MDA GEOSPATIAL SERVICES INC.; SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, LLC; MDA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044167/0396 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 15194541 · Jun 27, 2016
Continuation In Part 14835736 · Aug 26, 2015
Provisional Application 62301554 · Feb 29, 2016
Related Publication 20170364733A1 · Dec 21, 2017