Camera Array Terrain Surveillance Aerodynamic Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) using gimballed cameras face limitations in observing a large area of interest and suffer from aerodynamic drag issues, while existing solutions for wide-area surveillance are inefficient in covering terrain effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a camera array with fixed-position cameras on an aircraft to capture and process images of terrain, identifying objects of interest and extracting sub-images for efficient coverage, while a gimballed camera assembly provides high-resolution images of specific objects, reducing aerodynamic impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gimballed camera is used for reconnaissance, then the camera can observe a small area of interest with high resolution, but the aerodynamic drag increases and the area of interest observed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into multiple fixed cameras arranged in an array, each capturing a specific portion of terrain. This segmentation allows the system to cover a larger area simultaneously while maintaining individual camera simplicity and reduced aerodynamic impact compared to a single gimballed camera.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fixed cameras are merged into a single camera array system that operates as a coordinated unit. The cameras work together to provide comprehensive coverage of the area of interest, combining their individual fields of view to achieve wide-area surveillance without the aerodynamic penalties of a single movable camera.
2Measurement precision
If a gimballed camera is used for reconnaissance, then the camera can focus on a specific area, but the area of interest observed at any moment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The field of view is segmented across multiple cameras positioned at fixed locations. Each camera captures a specific portion of terrain, and collectively they provide comprehensive coverage of the entire area of interest, enabling simultaneous observation of multiple areas rather than focusing on one at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-camera one-dimensional field of view to a multi-camera two-dimensional array coverage. By arranging cameras in spatial dimensions, the system achieves wide-area surveillance that captures the entire area of interest simultaneously across multiple spatial positions.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple images are captured to cover the whole terrain, then complete terrain coverage is achieved, but storage and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
From the complete set of images captured by the camera array, only the essential portions containing objects of interest are extracted and stored. The system processes images to identify and isolate relevant objects, discarding redundant background data and retaining only the minimum necessary information for surveillance purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the terrain are captured with different levels of detail based on their importance. Areas containing objects of interest receive focused attention and higher-resolution processing, while background areas are captured at lower detail levels, optimizing storage requirements while maintaining surveillance effectiveness.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a camera array with fixed positions is used, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the complexity of the camera system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into multiple identical, fixed camera units positioned at predetermined locations. Each camera is a simple, standardized component, and the overall system complexity is managed through modular repetition rather than a single complex gimballed mechanism. The fixed positions eliminate the need for complex mounting and positioning systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves continuous and efficient coverage of large areas with reduced storage and communication requirements, minimizing aerodynamic drag and enabling simultaneous video capture of multiple objects of interest.
Implementation Method 1
the further camera is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the mirror
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera array (4) and method for capturing and processing images of an area of terrain, the method comprising: for each of a plurality of time-steps within a time period, using each of a plurality of cameras (10) in a camera array (4), generating an image of a respective portion of terrain (32), wherein the cameras (10) in the camera array (4) have substantially fixed positions relative to each other, and the portions of terrain (32) are such that the whole of the area of terrain has been imaged by the end of the time period; selecting a subset of the images such that the whole of the terrain is covered by the portions of the terrain (32) in the images in the subset; and for an image not in the subset, if an object of interest is in that image, extracting a sub-image containing the object from that image.