Single Camera Stellar Correction for Carrier Target Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing target location devices on board carriers, such as aircraft, face inaccuracies due to inertial unit drifts and are hindered by bulky stellar viewfinders that add weight, particularly problematic for lightweight drones.
Innovation Solution
A device with a single camera that can orient towards both the target and a predetermined star for stellar correction, allowing for real-time data correction and reducing bulk by eliminating the need for a separate stellar viewfinder, while also being mounted on a rotatable casing to adapt to mechanical deformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate stellar viewfinder is used for stellar correction, then location accuracy is improved, but device weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the target observation camera and stellar correction functions into a single integrated device. The same camera that observes the target is also used to capture stellar images for correction, eliminating the need for a separate stellar viewfinder and reducing overall device weight while maintaining location accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is designed to perform multiple functions: it can observe the target in a first orientation and capture stellar images in a second orientation. This multi-functional approach allows the single camera to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated devices for target observation and stellar correction
2Measurement precision
If a separate stellar viewfinder is mounted on the carrier, then stellar correction is enabled, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stellar correction functionality into the existing target observation camera system. By integrating both functions in one device with a single camera that can rotate between orientations, the system reduces structural complexity compared to having separate mounted viewfinders and camera systems
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is mounted on a rotatable casing that allows dynamic repositioning between observing the target and observing stars. This dynamic capability enables the single camera to access different orientations as needed, replacing static separate viewfinders and reducing overall device complexity
3Device complexity
If the camera orientation is fixed relative to the carrier, then device structure is simplified, but mechanical deformations affect correction accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is mounted on a rotatable casing that can dynamically adjust its orientation. This dynamic mounting allows the camera to maintain proper alignment for both target observation and stellar correction despite mechanical deformations of the carrier, preserving correction accuracy without requiring an overly complex fixed-orientation structure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a device (1) for locating a target, comprising: —a camera (2) that can be oriented in an orientation in view of the target so that the camera acquires an image of the target, and an orientation in view of a star so that the camera acquires at least one image of the star, —an inertial unit (4) configured to calculate position and orientation data of the camera (2), —a resetting module (6) configured to a apply stellar resetting to the data on the basis of the image of the star, in order to produce reset data, —a location module (8) configured to estimate a position of the target (T) from the image of the target (T) and the reset data, —a communication interface for communicating with an operator station, the camera (2) passing from one orientation to the other in response to the reception, by the interface, of a command sent by the operator station.