A shutter wheel rotating remote sensing wide swath imaging system and imaging method
By combining multiple optical camera lenses and a rotating shutter mechanism, and utilizing a motor-driven shutter wheel, wide-swath imaging for remote sensing is achieved. This solves the problems of high cost and high accuracy requirements for wide-swath imaging of remote sensing satellites, and realizes efficient wide-swath imaging and image stitching.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUHAN UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing remote sensing satellite array camera lenses have a small field of view, making it difficult to achieve wide-swath imaging. Furthermore, existing methods are either costly or require high precision, making it difficult to achieve real-time imaging.
It employs multiple optical camera lenses and a rotating shutter mechanism, using a motor-driven shutter wheel to allow light to enter the electro-optical sensor in turn, achieving wide-angle imaging with only one set of electronic equipment.
It reduces development costs, facilitates image stitching, and achieves wide-swath imaging while improving imaging accuracy and efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN119485048B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of space optical remote sensing imaging, and in particular to a shutter rotation remote sensing wide-swath imaging system and imaging method. Background Technology
[0002] Most remote sensing satellites acquire high-resolution remote sensing images through area array camera lenses. Area array camera lenses achieve pixel matrix imaging. In images captured by camera lenses, the detail is determined by the resolution, which is determined by the selected lens focal length. Moreover, they can acquire two-dimensional image information, making the measured images more intuitive and the captured images clearer.
[0003] However, area array camera lenses have a small field of view, and wide-field imaging mainly relies on field stitching. There are two common methods: a single camera lens is used to image at different rotation angles, or multiple independent small camera lenses are stitched together to obtain a wide field of view. The former takes a long time to image, is costly to achieve in real time, has a low signal-to-noise ratio, and requires high mechanical precision from the platform. The latter involves multiple independent camera lenses, resulting in higher development costs and greater installation difficulties. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the aforementioned shortcomings in the prior art, this invention provides a shutter-rotating remote sensing wide-field imaging system and method. This imaging system utilizes a shutter-carrying wheel driven by a motor to transmit light from multiple optical lenses to the same set of electro-optical sensors, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring wide-field imaging.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives / to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is implemented using the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system, comprising multiple optical camera lenses, a rotating shutter mechanism, and an electro-optical sensor shared by the multiple optical camera lenses; The lenses of the multiple optical cameras are each independently mounted on the same plane to focus light to form an image; The rotating shutter mechanism is installed between the electro-optical sensor and multiple optical camera lenses, and is used to allow light from each optical camera lens to enter the electro-optical sensor in turn, allowing only light from one optical camera lens to pass through at a time, while blocking light from all other lenses. The electro-optical sensor is located at the common imaging point of the multiple optical camera lenses and is used to process light signals and store images.
[0006] The effects of the above settings are as follows: This invention mainly utilizes lenses placed in different positions and rotating shutters to achieve wide-angle imaging of the camera lens. Each rotation of the shutter at a specific angle allows light from one lens to reach the electro-optical sensor to achieve imaging. Using only one set of electronic equipment reduces development costs and facilitates subsequent image stitching.
[0007] Furthermore, the plurality of optical camera lenses are evenly distributed in a circumferential shape.
[0008] The effect of the above settings is that the optical camera lenses are evenly distributed in a circular shape, which facilitates the rotary shutter mechanism to control the passage and amount of light through all optical camera lenses, allowing only light from one optical camera lens to pass through at a time.
[0009] Furthermore, the rotary shutter mechanism includes a shutter wheel and a motor that drives the shutter wheel; The motor drives the wheel to rotate. After rotating to a preset angle, it stops rotating and immediately stabilizes. It controls the opening and closing of the shutter so that the light from the lens overlapping with the shutter is transmitted to the electro-optical sensor. After imaging, it continues to rotate to the next lens for imaging.
[0010] The above settings produce the following effect: the shutter wheel and the motor driving the wheel can achieve relatively precise control of the wheel's rotation angle, and control the passage and amount of light from all optical camera lenses, allowing only light from one optical camera lens to pass through at a time, while blocking light from all other lenses.
[0011] Furthermore, the optical camera has three lenses; the preset angle is 120°.
[0012] The above settings produce the following results: After testing, three optical camera lenses are the optimal number, which can achieve a full field of view, high accuracy, good stitching effect, and low cost.
[0013] Furthermore, the overlap of the images formed by adjacent optical camera lenses projected onto the electro-optical sensor plane is 10%-15%.
[0014] The effect of the above settings is that this overlap can provide the necessary positional information for accurate image stitching without taking up as much imaging area as possible.
[0015] Secondly, the present invention provides an imaging method for a shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system. The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system described in the first aspect includes the following steps: Multiple optical camera lenses are independently mounted on the same plane, an electro-optical sensor is placed at the common imaging point of the multiple optical camera lenses, and a rotary shutter mechanism is installed between the electro-optical sensor and the multiple optical camera lenses. The rotating shutter mechanism allows light from only one optical camera lens to pass through at a time, blocking light from all other lenses. This ensures that light from each lens is transmitted sequentially to the electro-optical sensor, which processes the light signals and stores the image. The mechanism continues to rotate after an image is formed, repeating the process until an image is formed.
[0016] Furthermore, the plurality of optical camera lenses are evenly distributed in a circular shape; the rotary shutter mechanism includes a shutter wheel and a motor that drives the shutter wheel; Methods that use a rotating shutter mechanism to allow light from only one optical camera lens to pass through at a time, blocking light from all other lenses, include: Step 1: When the dial and shutter are in the initial position, the shutter is open, and the light focused by the lens that overlaps with the shutter passes through, and the electro-optical sensor forms an image once. Step 2: After imaging is complete, the shutter closes, and the motor starts working to drive the wheel to rotate. Each rotation is a preset angle so that the shutter overlaps with the next shot. Step 3: After the wheel stabilizes, the shutter opens, and the light focused by the lens that overlaps with the shutter passes through, and the electro-optical sensor forms an image once. Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the wheel reaches the final position, the shutter overlaps with the last lens, the wheel stabilizes, the shutter opens, and the light focused by the lens overlapping with the shutter passes through, thus forming an image on the electro-optical sensor; Step 5: The wheel quickly rotates back to its initial position, stitching together the images captured by the electron optical sensor to form a wide-format photograph of the observation area.
[0017] Furthermore, the method also includes: The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-swath imaging system is installed on the aircraft; The aircraft passes over the observation area at a preset speed, and the process of steps 1 to 5 is repeated multiple times. The images captured during the process are then stitched together in sequence to form a wide-format photograph of the observation area.
[0018] Furthermore, the optical camera has three lenses; the preset angle is 120°.
[0019] Furthermore, the overlap of the images formed by adjacent optical camera lenses projected onto the electro-optical sensor plane is 10%-15%.
[0020] The effects of the above settings are determined by the aircraft speed and the duration of each photo, thereby ensuring 10%-15% overlap and image quality between adjacent photos (avoiding underexposure and overexposure).
[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention mainly utilizes lenses placed in different positions and rotating shutters to achieve wide-angle imaging of camera lenses. Each rotation of the shutter at a specific angle allows light from one lens to reach the electro-optical sensor to achieve imaging. Using only one set of electronic equipment reduces development costs and facilitates subsequent image stitching. Attached Figure Description
[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a roulette wheel rotation wide-angle imaging system; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of image stitching; Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the workflow of a rotary wide-angle imaging system.
[0023] In the picture: 1. Lens; 2. Wheel; 3. Motor; 4. Electro-optical sensor. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0025] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this embodiment and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this embodiment. Example 1:
[0026] This embodiment provides a shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system, such as... Figure 1-2 As shown, it includes multiple optical camera lenses 1, a rotary shutter mechanism, and an electro-optical sensor 4 shared by the multiple optical camera lenses 1; Optical camera lens 1: Used to focus light to form an image.
[0027] Rotary shutter mechanism: used to control the passage of light.
[0028] Electro-optical sensor 4: Used to process light signals and store images.
[0029] As the wheel 2 rotates multiple times, each camera lens 1 sequentially images onto the sensor, and wide-field imaging is achieved through subsequent image stitching.
[0030] Multiple optical camera lenses 1 are independently mounted on the same plane to focus light and form an image.
[0031] A rotating shutter mechanism is installed between the electro-optical sensor 4 and multiple optical camera lenses 1. It is used to allow light from each optical camera lens 1 to enter the electro-optical sensor 4 in turn, allowing only light from one optical camera lens 1 to pass through at a time, while blocking light from all other lenses 1.
[0032] Preferably, the plurality of optical camera lenses 1 are evenly distributed in a circular shape. The rotary shutter mechanism includes a wheel 2 equipped with a shutter and a motor 3 that drives the wheel 2; the motor 3 drives the wheel 2 to rotate, and after rotating to a preset angle, it stops rotating and immediately stabilizes, controlling the opening and closing of the shutter so that the light from the lens 1 overlapping with the shutter is transmitted to the electro-optical sensor 4. After imaging, it continues to rotate to the next lens 1 for imaging, and after imaging, it continues to rotate, repeating the cycle until imaging is completed.
[0033] An electro-optical sensor 4 is located at the common imaging point of the multiple optical camera lenses 1, and is used to process light signals and store images.
[0034] This system mainly utilizes lenses 1 placed in different positions and rotating shutters to achieve wide-angle imaging of camera lenses 1. Each time the shutter rotates to a specific angle, the light from one lens 1 reaches the electro-optical sensor 4 to achieve imaging. Using only one set of electronic equipment reduces development costs and facilitates subsequent image stitching.
[0035] like Figure 1 There are multiple camera lenses 1 in front of the dial 2. Each camera lens 1 is arranged along the arc of the dial 2 (instead of horizontally). This allows the opening and closing of all camera lenses 1 to be controlled by rotating the shutter on the dial 2. Therefore, the average angle from the starting position of the first camera lens 1 to the ending position of the last camera lens 1 on the arc is the angle of each rotation.
[0036] The imaging position of each camera lens 1 is set towards a point, that is, the position of the electronic optical sensor 4. Generally speaking, the size and model of multiple camera lenses 1 are exactly the same, the center point of each camera lens 1 is on a circle, and the lens direction of the camera lens 1 is tilted outward at a uniform angle. The central axis of multiple camera lenses 1 is connected to a point.
[0037] The shutter opening and closing time should be determined based on the camera lens parameters, such as exposure time, integration level, gain, etc. For example, when the lighting conditions are poor, the shutter opening time needs to be increased.
[0038] Camera lens 1 only needs to confirm the start time and working time. The start time is determined by the individual pressing the shooting button at the right time, and the working time depends on the desired image width. The larger the image width, the longer the working time.
[0039] Preferably, there are 3 optical camera lenses 1; the preset angle is 120°.
[0040] Specifically, the multiple optical camera lenses 1 are independently mounted on the same plane, and the projection overlap of the images formed by adjacent lenses 1 on the plane of the electro-optical sensor 4 is 10%-15% (single-sided overlap). The overlapping area has small images stitched together to generate a wide-format image. This overlap can provide the necessary positional information for accurate image stitching without occupying as much imaging area as possible.
[0041] The rotating shutter mechanism is used to control the passage and amount of light from all optical camera lenses 1, allowing only one optical camera lens 1 to pass through at a time, while blocking the light from all other lenses 1.
[0042] Preferably, the shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system can be mounted on an aircraft; the aircraft passes over the observation area at a preset speed, and the images captured during the process are stitched together in sequence to form a wide-field photograph of the observation area. The imaging cycle of camera lens 1 is determined by the aircraft speed and the duration of each shot, thereby ensuring 10%-15% overlap and image quality between adjacent images (avoiding underexposure and overexposure).
[0043] The specific method of using the mechanism in this embodiment is as follows: like Figure 3 As shown, it includes the following steps: Step 1: When the shutter is triggered, the shutter is in the initial position. At this time, the shutter is open, and the light focused by the lens 1 that overlaps with the shutter passes through, and the camera lens 1 forms an image once. Step 2: After imaging is completed, the shutter closes, and the motor 3 starts working to drive the wheel 2 to rotate. Each rotation is a preset angle so that the shutter overlaps with the next lens 1. Step 3: After the dial 2 stabilizes, the shutter opens, controlling the light focused by the lens 1 that overlaps with the shutter to pass through, and the camera lens 1 forms an image once; Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until wheel 2 rotates to the end position, the shutter overlaps with the last lens 1, and after wheel 2 stabilizes, the shutter opens, allowing the light focused by the lens 1 that overlaps with the shutter to pass through, thus forming an image once; Step 5: Rotate wheel 2 back to its initial position, and repeat steps 2 to 4, as follows. Figure 2 As shown, the images captured during the process are stitched together (either automatically or manually). Figure 2 The numbers in the image represent the stitching order of the images, forming a wide-format photograph of the observation area.
[0044] Implementation Principle: The electro-optical sensor 4 is shared by all lenses 1. Located behind the rotary disc 2, the electro-optical sensor 4 can receive light signals from all lenses 1. Light from each lens 1 can be completely transmitted to the electro-optical sensor 4 through the shutter to form an image. The rotary shutter mechanism can be positioned between the camera lens 1 and the electronic sensor device. The shutter of the rotary shutter mechanism is driven by the motor 3 to rotate, thereby controlling the sequential transmission of light from different camera lenses 1 to the electronic sensor device, realizing wide-field imaging of the area array camera lens 1. The imaging method of the above imaging system is also provided. The imaging width is increased without upgrading the configuration of the camera lens 1, and the use of only one set of electronic equipment reduces development costs and installation difficulty. Example 2:
[0045] This embodiment provides an imaging method for a remote sensing imaging system, based on the remote sensing imaging system described in Embodiment 1, such as... Figure 3 As shown, it includes the following steps: Step 1: When the shutter is triggered, the shutter is in the initial position. At this time, the shutter is open, and the light focused by the lens 1 that overlaps with the shutter passes through, and the camera lens 1 forms an image once. Step 2: After imaging is completed, the shutter closes, and the motor 3 starts working to drive the wheel 2 to rotate. Each rotation is a preset angle so that the shutter overlaps with the next lens 1. Step 3: After the dial 2 stabilizes, the shutter opens, controlling the light focused by the lens 1 that overlaps with the shutter to pass through, and the camera lens 1 forms an image once; Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until wheel 2 rotates to the end position, the shutter overlaps with the last lens 1, and after wheel 2 stabilizes, the shutter opens, allowing the light focused by the lens 1 that overlaps with the shutter to pass through, thus forming an image once; Step 5: Rotate wheel 2 back to its initial position, and repeat steps 2 to 4, as follows. Figure 2 As shown, the images captured during the process are stitched together (either automatically or manually). Figure 2 The numbers in the image represent the stitching order of the images, forming a wide-format photograph of the observation area.
[0046] Preferably, the method further includes: The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-swath imaging system is installed on the aircraft; The aircraft passes over the observation area at a preset speed, and the process of steps 1 to 5 is repeated multiple times. The images captured during the process are then stitched together in sequence to form a wide-format photograph of the observation area.
[0047] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature, and in the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0048] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.
[0049] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0050] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system, characterized in that, It includes multiple optical camera lenses, a rotary shutter mechanism, and an electro-optical sensor shared by the multiple optical camera lenses; The lenses of the multiple optical cameras are mounted on the same plane to focus light and form an image; The rotating shutter mechanism is installed between the electro-optical sensor and multiple optical camera lenses, and is used to allow light from each optical camera lens to enter the electro-optical sensor in turn, allowing only light from one optical camera lens to pass through at a time, while blocking light from all other lenses. The electro-optical sensor is located at the common imaging point of the multiple optical camera lenses and is used to process light signals and store images. The images captured by the electro-optical sensor are stitched together to form a wide-format photograph of the observation area. A rotary shutter mechanism includes a rotary disc with a shutter and a motor for driving the rotary disc; The motor drives the wheel to rotate. After rotating to a preset angle, it stops rotating and immediately stabilizes, so that the shutter overlaps with each lens in sequence. The shutter opening and closing is controlled so that the light from the lens overlapped with the shutter is transmitted to the electro-optical sensor. After imaging, it continues to rotate to the next lens for imaging. The overlap of the images formed by adjacent optical camera lenses on the plane of the electro-optical sensor is 10%-15%; The imaging method of a shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system includes the following steps: Multiple optical camera lenses are independently mounted on the same plane, an electro-optical sensor is placed at the common imaging point of the multiple optical camera lenses, and a rotary shutter mechanism is installed between the electro-optical sensor and the multiple optical camera lenses. The rotating shutter mechanism allows light from only one optical camera lens to pass through at a time, blocking light from all other lenses. This allows light from each lens to be transmitted sequentially to the electro-optical sensor, which processes the light signals and stores the image. After imaging, the mechanism continues to rotate, repeating the above steps until imaging is complete. The images captured by the electro-optical sensor are stitched together to form a wide-format photograph of the observation area. The plurality of optical camera lenses are evenly distributed in a circular shape; the rotary shutter mechanism includes a shutter wheel and a motor that drives the shutter wheel; Methods that use a rotating shutter mechanism to allow light from only one optical camera lens to pass through at a time, blocking light from all other lenses, include: Step 1: When the dial and shutter are in the initial position, the shutter is open, and the light focused by the lens that overlaps with the shutter passes through, and the electro-optical sensor forms an image once. Step 2: After imaging is complete, the shutter closes, and the motor starts working to drive the wheel to rotate. Each rotation is a preset angle so that the shutter overlaps with the next shot. Step 3: After the wheel stabilizes, the shutter opens, and the light focused by the lens that overlaps with the shutter passes through, and the electro-optical sensor forms an image once. Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the wheel reaches the final position, the shutter overlaps with the last lens, the wheel stabilizes, the shutter opens, and the light focused by the lens overlapping with the shutter passes through, thus forming an image on the electro-optical sensor; Step 5: The wheel quickly rotates back to its initial position, stitching together the images captured by the electron optical sensor to form a wide-format photograph of the observation area.
2. The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple optical camera lenses are evenly distributed in a circular shape.
3. The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical camera has three lenses; the preset angle is 120°.
4. The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-swath imaging system is installed on the aircraft; The aircraft passes over the observation area at a preset speed, and the process of steps 1 to 5 is repeated multiple times. The images captured during the process are then stitched together in sequence to form a wide-format photograph of the observation area.
5. The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical camera has three lenses; the preset angle is 120°.
6. The shutter rotation remote sensing wide-field imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The overlap of the images formed by adjacent optical camera lenses on the plane of the electro-optical sensor is 10%-15%.