Dual-mode camera system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dual-mode camera system, which includes: a load unit, an aerial platform unit and a power supply unit; the aerial platform unit is used for connecting an aircraft and reducing vibration; the load unit and the power supply unit are arranged on the aerial platform unit, the load unit includes an intermediate camera and at least four peripheral cameras, the intermediate camera is fixedly connected to the aerial platform and vertically arranged, the peripheral cameras are rotatably connected to the aerial platform unit, the peripheral cameras have a first state of vertical arrangement and a second state of 45 degrees inclination to the horizontal plane, the peripheral cameras can switch between the first state and the second state, the peripheral cameras and the intermediate cameras are both provided with filter slots, and the power supply unit is electrically connected to the load unit. The dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention is capable of realizing the switching of two photography modes, namely oblique photography and multi-spectral photography. Oblique photography and spectral photography can be performed by only one aircraft, which effectively reduces the use cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of imaging technology, and in particular to a dual-mode camera system. Background Art

[0002] A multispectral image is an image that contains many bands, sometimes just 3 bands (a color image is an example) but sometimes many more, even hundreds. Each band is a grayscale image that represents the brightness of the scene according to the sensitivity of the sensor used to produce that band.

[0003] Nowadays, the application market of multispectral cameras is getting wider and wider. According to different applications, there are mainly three types of multispectral cameras:

[0004] The first type is a multi-lens multispectral camera, which has multiple lenses, each with a filter, and can simultaneously capture the same scene and record image information of several different spectral bands, such as the Sequoia multispectral camera from the French Parrot company, and the RedEdge-MX and ALTUM multispectral cameras from the American Micasense company.

[0005] The second type is a multi-camera multispectral camera. It is composed of several cameras, each with a different filter, which receives information on different spectral bands of the scene, and simultaneously shoots the same scene, each obtaining a set of films with a specific spectral band; this technology is relatively old, and there are few such products on the market.

[0006] The third type is a single-lens multispectral camera. It uses one lens to shoot the scene, and filters of different bands are coated on the pixels of the detector to achieve multispectral imaging. This is similar to SILIOS's 9-channel multispectral camera and XIMEA's 16- and 25-channel multispectral cameras.

[0007] Oblique photography technology is a high-tech technology developed in the international surveying and mapping field in recent years. It overturns the previous limitation that orthophotos can only be taken from a vertical angle. By carrying multiple sensors on the same flying platform, it simultaneously collects images from five different angles, including one vertical, four oblique angles, etc., introducing users into a real and intuitive world that conforms to human vision.

[0008] Existing drones and other aircraft are capable of multispectral photography and oblique photography, but can only realize multispectral photography or oblique photography separately. When different modes of photography are needed, different aircraft need to be used, which results in high cost. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention provides a dual-mode camera system, which is used to solve the problem in the prior art that an aircraft cannot realize multi-spectral photography and oblique photography simultaneously.

[0010] The present invention provides a dual-mode camera system, comprising: a load unit, an aerial gimbal unit and a power supply unit; the aerial gimbal unit is used for connecting an aircraft and reducing vibration; the load unit and the power supply unit are arranged on the aerial gimbal unit, the load unit comprises an intermediate camera and at least four peripheral cameras, the intermediate camera is fixedly connected to the aerial gimbal and vertically arranged, the peripheral cameras are rotatably connected to the aerial gimbal unit, the peripheral cameras have a first state of vertical arrangement and a second state of being inclined at 45 degrees to a horizontal plane, the peripheral cameras can switch between the first state and the second state, the peripheral cameras and the intermediate cameras are both provided with filter slots, and the power supply unit is electrically connected to the load unit.

[0011] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the dual-mode camera system also includes an image transmission unit and a ground station; the image transmission unit is connected to the ground station by wireless signals, and is used to transmit the image information obtained by the payload unit back to the ground station.

[0012] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the dual-mode camera system further includes a positioning and orientation unit, and the positioning and orientation unit is connected to the image transmission unit.

[0013] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the dual-mode camera system also includes a switching unit, which is connected to the aerial gimbal, the power supply unit and the load unit, and drives the peripheral camera to switch between the first state and the second state and to insert the filter into the filter socket or pull the filter out of the filter socket.

[0014] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the aerial gimbal includes a quick-connect plate, and the load unit is arranged on the quick-connect plate.

[0015] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the switching unit includes an adapter plate, a first rotation drive device and a second rotation drive device, the quick-connect plate is provided with a first adapter hole, the adapter plate is rotatably connected in the first adapter hole, the first rotation drive device is connected to the adapter plate, the adapter plate is provided with a second adapter hole, the peripheral camera is rotatably connected in the second adapter hole, the rotation axis of the peripheral camera is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the adapter plate, and the second rotation drive device is provided on the adapter plate and connected to the peripheral camera.

[0016] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the first adapter hole is an annular hole, the adapter plate is parallel to the quick-connect plate, a connecting groove is provided on the edge of the adapter plate, and the adapter plate is axially rotatably connected to the quick-connect plate through the connecting groove.

[0017] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the adapter plate is rotatably connected to the quick-connect plate via a first rotation axis along the radial direction of the adapter plate, and the first rotation axis is parallel to the quick-connect plate.

[0018] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the switching unit includes a filter support frame, a connecting rod and a lifting drive device, one end of the connecting rod is connected to the filter support frame, and the other end is connected to the lifting drive device, the lifting drive device is fixedly arranged on the peripheral camera, and the lifting drive direction of the lifting drive device is along the opening direction of the filter socket.

[0019] According to a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention, the lifting drive device includes a lifting motor, a lifting screw, a lifting nut and a guide rod, the lifting motor is transmission-connected to the lifting screw, the lifting nut is arranged on the lifting screw and is slidingly connected to the guide rod, and the end of the connecting rod facing away from the filter support block is fixedly connected to the lifting nut.

[0020] The dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention can switch between the first state and the second state of the peripheral camera and insert and remove the filter through the filter slot to realize the switching of the two photography modes of oblique photography and multi-spectral photography. Oblique photography and spectral photography can be performed by only one aircraft, which effectively reduces the use cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship of the dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement relationship between the middle camera and the peripheral cameras in the dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a switching unit structure in a dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another switching unit structure in the dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 100, load cell; 110, intermediate camera; 120, peripheral camera;

[0029] 121. filter insert; 122. second rotating shaft; 200. aviation gimbal unit;

[0030] 210, quick-connect plate; 211, first adapter hole; 300, power supply unit;

[0031] 400, image transmission unit; 500, ground station; 600, positioning and orientation unit;

[0032] 700, switching unit; 710, adapter plate; 711, second adapter hole;

[0033] 712, connecting groove; 713, first rotating shaft; 714, annular teeth;

[0034] 720, first rotation driving device; 721, first reduction motor; 722, first driving gear;

[0035] Place;

[0036] 723, second reduction motor; 724, second driving gear; 725, first driven gear;

[0037] 730, second rotation driving device; 731, third reduction motor; 732, third driving gear;

[0038] Place;

[0039] 733, second driven gear; 740, lifting drive device; 741, lifting motor;

[0040] 742, lifting screw rod; 743, lifting screw nut; 744, guide rod;

[0041] 750. filter support frame; 760. connecting rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0043] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0044] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0046] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0047] Combine the following Figure 1 and Figure 2The dual-mode camera system of an embodiment of the present invention is described. The dual-mode camera system includes a load unit 100, an aerial gimbal unit 200, and a power supply unit 300. The aerial gimbal unit 200 is used to connect to an aircraft such as a drone or a manned aircraft, and also plays a vibration reduction role, supporting and protecting the various components of the dual-mode camera system. The aerial gimbal unit 200 is a common support structure on an aircraft, and will not be described in detail here.

[0048] The load unit 100 and the power supply unit 300 are both arranged on the aviation gimbal unit 200, and the power supply unit 300 can provide power for the system.

[0049] The load unit 100 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 300. The load unit 100 includes a middle camera 110 and at least four peripheral cameras 120, wherein the middle camera 110 is vertically arranged in the middle, and the peripheral cameras 120 are arranged circumferentially along the middle camera 110. The peripheral cameras 120 have a first state and a second state. In the first state, the peripheral cameras 120 are vertically arranged. In the second state, the peripheral cameras 120 are tilted and have an inclination of 45 degrees to the horizontal plane. The peripheral cameras 120 can switch between the first state and the second state. The peripheral cameras 120 and the middle camera 110 are both provided with a filter slot 121. When a filter is inserted into the filter slot 121 and the peripheral camera 120 is adjusted to the first state, the load unit 100 is in a multi-spectral photography mode and can perform multi-spectral image acquisition. When no filter is inserted into the filter slot 121 and the peripheral camera 120 is in the second state, the load unit 100 can perform oblique photography.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the dual-mode camera system further includes an image transmission unit 400 and a ground station 500. The image transmission unit 400 is electrically connected to the payload unit 100 and the power supply unit 300 and is wirelessly connected to the ground station 500. The image transmission unit 400 can send the image data obtained by the payload unit 100 to the ground station 500 via wireless signals. The ground station 500 is used to receive the image data sent back by the image transmission unit 400 and hand over the image data to a computer for three-dimensional modeling or image stitching.

[0051] Furthermore, the dual-mode camera system also includes a switching unit 700, which is connected to the aerial gimbal, the power supply unit 300 and the load unit 100. The switching unit 700 is used to drive the peripheral camera 120 to switch between the first state and the second state, and to insert the filter into the filter socket 121 or remove the filter from the filter socket 121, so as to realize automatic switching of the camera mode.

[0052] It should be noted that the dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention may not be equipped with the switching unit 700, and the photography mode may be switched by manual operation.

[0053] Combination Figure 3 Optionally, a quick-connect plate 210 is provided on the aviation pan-tilt unit 200 , and the quick-connect plate 210 can be horizontally arranged at the bottom of the aviation pan-tilt unit 200 . The load unit 100 is arranged on the quick-connect plate 210 .

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching unit 700 includes an adapter plate 710, a first rotation drive device 720, and a second rotation drive device 730. The quick-connection plate 210 is provided with a first adapter hole 211, the first adapter hole 211 vertically penetrates the quick-connection plate 210, the adapter plate 710 is rotatably connected in the first adapter hole 211, the first rotation drive device 720 is connected to the adapter plate 710, and can drive the adapter plate 710 to rotate relative to the quick-connection plate 210. The adapter plate 710 is provided with a second adapter hole 711, the peripheral camera 120 is rotatably connected in the second adapter hole 711, the rotation axis of the peripheral camera 120 is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the adapter plate 710, and the second rotation drive device 730 is provided on the adapter plate 710 and connected to the peripheral camera 120, and can drive the peripheral camera 120 to rotate relative to the adapter plate 710. The first rotation drive device 720 and the second rotation drive device 730 cooperate to adjust the direction of the peripheral camera 120 to achieve mode switching.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the adapter plate 710 is parallel to the quick-connect plate 210, and a connection groove 712 is provided on the edge of the adapter plate 710. The first adapter hole 211 is a circular hole, and the position on the quick-connect plate 210 located at the edge of the first adapter hole 211 is inserted into the connection groove 712, so that the adapter plate 710 is axially rotatably connected to the quick-connect plate 210 through the connection groove 712. The connection groove 712 can be a continuous annular groove structure, or it can be a segmented groove structure with more than two sections arranged circumferentially around the adapter plate 710. When the connection groove 712 adopts a segmented groove structure, each segment of the groove can be further evenly distributed circumferentially around the adapter plate 710 to increase the stability of rotation.

[0056] The first rotation driving device 720 includes a first reduction motor 721 and a first driving gear 722, wherein the first reduction motor 721 is fixed on the quick-connect plate 210. An annular tooth 714 coaxial with the adapter plate 710 is provided on one side of the adapter plate 710, and the first driving gear 722 is provided on the motor shaft of the first reduction motor 721 and meshes with the annular tooth 714. When the first reduction motor 721 is in operation, it can drive the adapter plate 710 to rotate axially.

[0057] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5In another embodiment of the present invention, the adapter plate 710 is rotatably connected to the first adapter hole 211 of the quick-connection plate 210 via a first rotating shaft 713 along the radial direction of the adapter plate 710, and the first rotating shaft 713 is parallel to the quick-connection plate 210. Two first rotating shafts 713 are provided, and the two first rotating shafts 713 are symmetrically arranged around the center of the adapter plate 710.

[0058] The first rotation driving device 720 includes a second reduction motor 723, a second driving gear 724 and a first driven gear 725. The second reduction motor 723 is fixed on the quick-connect plate 210, the second driving gear 724 is arranged on the motor shaft of the second reduction motor 723, and the first driven gear 725 is arranged on the first rotating shaft 713. The second driving gear 724 is meshed with the first driven gear 725.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, a second rotating shaft 122 along the radial direction of the peripheral camera 120 is disposed on the outer wall of the peripheral camera 120 . The second rotating shaft 122 is parallel to the adapter plate 710 . The peripheral camera 120 is rotatably connected to the adapter plate 710 via the second rotating shaft 122 .

[0060] The second rotation driving device 730 includes a third reduction motor 731, a third driving gear 732 and a second driven gear 733. The third reduction motor 731 is fixedly arranged on the adapter plate 710. The third driving gear 732 is arranged on the motor shaft of the third reduction motor 731 and meshes with the second driven gear 733. The second driven gear 733 is arranged on the second rotating shaft 122.

[0061] See you later Figure 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching unit 700 also includes a filter support frame 750, a connecting rod 760 and a lifting drive device 740, one end of the connecting rod 760 is connected to the filter support frame 750, and the other end is connected to the lifting drive device 740, the lifting drive device 740 is fixedly set on the peripheral camera 120, and the lifting drive direction of the lifting drive device 740 is along the opening direction of the filter socket 121.

[0062] Optionally, the lifting drive device 740 includes a lifting motor 741, a lifting screw rod 742, a lifting nut 743 and a guide rod 744. The lifting motor 741 is fixedly arranged on the peripheral camera 120, and the lifting motor 741 is connected to the lifting screw rod 742 through a transmission structure such as a gear set or a synchronous belt. The lifting screw rod 742 is arranged along the opening direction of the filter insert 121, and one end of the lifting screw rod 742 is fixedly connected to the lifting motor 741. The guide rod 744 is parallel to the lifting screw rod 742, and one end of the guide rod 744 is fixedly connected to the peripheral camera 120. The lifting nut 743 is arranged on the lifting screw rod 742 and is slidably connected to the guide rod 744. The end of the connecting rod 760 away from the filter support frame 750 is fixedly connected to the lifting nut 743. When the lifting motor 741 is running, it can drive the lifting screw rod 742 to rotate axially, and at this time, the lifting nut 743 drives the filter support frame 750 to move under the drive of the lifting screw rod 742.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the dual-mode camera system further includes a positioning and orientation unit 600, which is disposed on the aerial gimbal unit 200 and is electrically connected to the image transmission unit 400 and the power supply unit 300. The positioning and orientation unit 600 can obtain position information and send the position information to the ground station 500 through the image transmission unit 400.

[0064] The dual-mode camera system provided by the present invention can realize both multi-spectral photography and oblique photography, so that the aircraft has more complete functions, effectively reduces the use cost and increases the use pleasure.

[0065] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-mode camera system, characterized in that: include: A load unit, an aerial gimbal unit and a power supply unit; the aerial gimbal unit is used for connecting to an aircraft and reducing vibration; the load unit and the power supply unit are arranged on the aerial gimbal unit, the load unit includes an intermediate camera and at least four peripheral cameras, the intermediate camera is fixedly connected to the aerial gimbal and is vertically arranged, the peripheral cameras are rotatably connected to the aerial gimbal unit, the peripheral cameras have a first state of being vertically arranged and a second state of being inclined at 45 degrees to the horizontal plane, the peripheral cameras can switch between the first state and the second state, the peripheral cameras and the intermediate cameras are both provided with filter sockets, and the power supply unit is electrically connected to the load unit; The dual-mode camera system further includes an image transmission unit and a ground station; the image transmission unit is connected to the ground station by wireless signals and is used to transmit the image information obtained by the payload unit back to the ground station; The dual-mode camera system further includes a switching unit, which is connected to the aerial gimbal, the power supply unit and the load unit, and drives the peripheral camera to switch between the first state and the second state and to insert the filter into the filter slot or remove the filter from the filter slot; The aviation gimbal comprises a quick-connect plate, and the load unit is arranged on the quick-connect plate; The switching unit includes an adapter plate, a first rotation drive device and a second rotation drive device. The quick-connect plate is provided with a first adapter hole, and the adapter plate is rotatably connected in the first adapter hole. The first rotation drive device is connected to the adapter plate. The adapter plate is provided with a second adapter hole, and the peripheral camera is rotatably connected in the second adapter hole. The rotation axis of the peripheral camera is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the adapter plate. The second rotation drive device is provided on the adapter plate and connected to the peripheral camera.

2. The dual-mode camera system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual-mode camera system further includes a positioning and orientation unit, and the positioning and orientation unit is connected to the image transmission unit.

3. The dual-mode camera system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first adapter hole is an annular hole, the adapter plate is parallel to the quick-connect plate, a connection groove is provided at the edge of the adapter plate, and the adapter plate is axially rotatably connected to the quick-connect plate through the connection groove.

4. The dual-mode camera system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adapter plate is rotatably connected to the quick-connect plate via a first rotating shaft along the radial direction of the adapter plate, and the first rotating shaft is parallel to the quick-connect plate.

5. The dual-mode camera system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The switching unit includes a filter support frame, a connecting rod and a lifting drive device, one end of the connecting rod is connected to the filter support frame, and the other end is connected to the lifting drive device, the lifting drive device is fixedly arranged on the peripheral camera, and the lifting drive direction of the lifting drive device is along the opening direction of the filter socket.

6. The dual-mode camera system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lifting drive device includes a lifting motor, a lifting screw, a lifting nut and a guide rod. The lifting motor is transmission-connected to the lifting screw. The lifting nut is arranged on the lifting screw and is slidingly connected to the guide rod. The end of the connecting rod facing away from the filter support block is fixedly connected to the lifting nut.

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