Multi-Resolution Aerial Camera System Reducing Survey Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aerial camera systems require high overlap in aerial photos for accurate orthomosaic creation, which is costly in terms of flying time and processing, and are aircraft-specific, limiting operational flexibility and image resolution.
Innovation Solution
The HyperCamera system employs a modular, multi-resolution camera configuration with overlapping fields of view from multiple cameras, allowing for reduced overlap without compromising accuracy, and is designed to be adaptable to various aircraft, enabling efficient aerial imaging across a range of altitudes and resolutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high overlap (60% longitudinal, 40% lateral) is used for accurate orthomosaic creation, then orthomosaic accuracy is improved, but flying time and processing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple cameras with different focal lengths (e.g., 28mm and 85mm lenses) capturing different resolutions simultaneously. The wide-angle camera captures overview images with lower resolution while the telephoto camera captures detail images with higher resolution. This segmentation allows the system to use lower overlap for the overview portion while maintaining sufficient overlap for the detail portion, reducing overall flying time while preserving orthomosaic accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If high overlap (60% longitudinal, 40% lateral) is used for accurate orthomosaic creation, then orthomosaic accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photogrammetric processing is segmented into two independent workflows: one processing overview images at lower resolution and another processing detail images at higher resolution. The bundle adjustment and orthorectification can be performed separately on each resolution level, significantly reducing the computational burden compared to processing all high-resolution images at full detail. This segmentation maintains orthomosaic accuracy while dramatically reducing processing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external camera pod is used, then camera system can be attached to aircraft, but pod space is constrained limiting camera size and focal length
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cameras with different focal lengths are merged into a single integrated imaging system mounted on the aircraft. Instead of using separate pods for different camera configurations, the system combines wide-angle and telephoto cameras in one mounting location, allowing both camera types to share the same space constraints while providing the full range of focal lengths needed for multi-resolution imaging.
4Ease of manufacture
If aircraft-specific pod is used, then camera system can be mounted, but choice of aircraft is limited reducing operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can be adapted to different aircraft types. The mounting bracket and optical path are configured to work with standard aircraft camera holes and window configurations, allowing the same imaging system to be installed on various aircraft platforms without requiring aircraft-specific custom pods. This universality provides operational flexibility while maintaining ease of installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for capturing aerial images, the system comprising at least one steerable camera module, the steerable camera module comprising a camera and a beam steering mechanism in the optical path of the camera module whereby the pointing direction of the camera is time-multiplexed to provide a wider effective field of view. The system further comprising at least one overview camera, the focal length of the overview camera shorter than the focal length of the detail camera.