Multiplexed Multi-View Scanning Camera for Oblique Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-altitude wide-area imaging systems are not optimized for oblique or multi-view imaging, limiting their ability to capture high-resolution images efficiently and effectively, especially when scanning directions are not perpendicular to the flight path.
Innovation Solution
A scanning camera system with multiple camera assemblies, each with a scanning mirror and drive, capable of rotating to varying spin angles to capture images along curved scan paths with oblique and nadir viewing angles, allowing for efficient capture of multi-view images with orthogonal viewing directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-altitude wide-area imaging is used to efficiently image large areas, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because the system exceeds the capacity of individual image sensors and cannot capture high-resolution oblique views
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into multiple camera assemblies (first, second, third, and fourth camera assemblies) arranged in a cross configuration. Each camera assembly captures images of different portions of the area of interest from different viewing angles (nadir and oblique views). This segmentation allows the system to maintain high resolution across large areas by distributing the imaging task across multiple specialized sensors rather than relying on a single sensor that would need to be excessively large or high-capacity.
2Device complexity
If scanning direction is kept perpendicular to flight path for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because the system cannot efficiently capture oblique or multi-view images
Solution Approach 1:
The four camera assemblies are arranged in an asymmetric cross configuration with each camera oriented at different angles relative to the flight path. The first and second cameras capture nadir views while the third and fourth cameras capture oblique views at different angles. This asymmetric arrangement allows the system to adapt to multiple imaging requirements (both perpendicular and oblique views) without requiring complex individual scanning mechanisms for each camera, thereby maintaining relative simplicity while achieving high versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera assemblies are deployed to achieve multi-view imaging, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple scanning mirrors and drives
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple camera assemblies are integrated into a single coordinated system mounted on the aerial platform. The cameras are positioned and oriented to work together as a unified multi-view imaging system, with their fields of view overlapping or adjacent to cover the entire area of interest. This merging approach allows the system to achieve multi-view imaging capability while managing complexity through integrated mounting structures and coordinated operation rather than completely separate 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
Enables high-resolution, multi-view imaging with improved efficiency by optimizing scanning paths for oblique and nadir views, enhancing 3D surface reconstruction and orthomosaic generation.
Implementation Method 1
the scanning mirror is tilted relative to the camera optical axis, and is positioned to reflect an imaging beam into the lens
Implementation Method 2
each lens is positioned to focus the imaging beam onto its respective image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning camera for capturing images along two or more curved scan paths, the scanning camera comprising a camera assembly associated with each scan path, each camera assembly comprising an image sensor and a lens; a scanning mirror; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror; wherein the drive is operative to rotate the scanning mirror about a spin axis according to a spin angle; the spin axis is tilted relative to each camera optical axis; the scanning mirror is tilted relative to the spin axis and each camera optical axis; the scanning mirror is positioned to reflect an imaging beam into each lens in turn; and each image sensor is operative to capture each image along a respective one of the scan paths by sampling the imaging beam at a corresponding spin angle.