Multi-Aircraft Camera Synchronization for Altitude Offset Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photogrammetry methods for generating point clouds from aerial images are time-consuming due to inaccuracies in altitude measurements by sensors, leading to errors in stitching images from multiple aircraft flying at different altitudes, which complicates the creation of accurate point clouds.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that synchronize camera systems of multiple aircraft to determine and adjust altitudes by comparing distances and altitudes to key points, using offsets to calibrate altitude sensors and ensure consistent altitudes, thereby reducing errors in image stitching and improving data processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple aircraft are used to generate aerial images for photogrammetry, then productivity increases, but measurement precision deteriorates due to altitude measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines altitude measurements from multiple aircraft into a unified reference frame by selecting one aircraft as a reference and calculating relative altitudes of other aircraft based on their measurements and inter-aircraft distances. This merging approach allows multiple aircraft to work simultaneously (improving productivity) while maintaining consistent altitude references (preserving measurement precision).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference aircraft as an intermediary to mediate altitude measurements between multiple aircraft. By calculating relative altitudes based on the reference aircraft's measurements and the distances between aircraft, the system resolves altitude measurement inconsistencies without requiring each aircraft to independently maintain perfect altitude precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If altitude measurements are used for image stitching, then manufacturing precision improves, but loss of information increases due to sensor inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring altitude measurements from multiple aircraft, comparing them against calculated relative altitudes based on inter-aircraft distances, and adjusting the reference frame accordingly. This feedback loop compensates for sensor inaccuracies and prevents information loss, maintaining point cloud accuracy even when individual sensor measurements are imperfect.
3Measurement precision
If camera systems are synchronized between multiple aircraft, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reference aircraft's camera system universal by using it as the common reference for all other aircraft in the formation. Instead of requiring complex bidirectional synchronization between all aircraft pairs, each aircraft synchronizes its measurements relative to the single reference aircraft, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product (1222) for operating an aerial imaging system (200). A first altitude (226) of a first aircraft (204) is determined, by a computer system (210), using first images (212) of a key point (220) generated by the first aircraft (204) during a flight and stereo depth triangulation (224). The first altitude (226) is compared with a second altitude (230) of a second aircraft (206) determined by the second aircraft (206), by the computer system (210), to form a comparison (232). An offset (238) between the first altitude (226) and the second altitude (230) is determined, by the computer system (210), using the comparison (232). At least one of the first altitude (226) or the second altitude (230) is adjusted based on the offset (238). A plurality of images of a region from the first aircraft (204) at the first altitude (226) and from the second aircraft (206) at the second altitude (230) is obtained.