Multi-spectral Optical Tracking System with Variable Magnification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional optical remote sensing devices face challenges in long-range tracking of small objects due to narrow fields of view and interference from terrain and obscurations, leading to difficulties in reacquiring targets and high failure rates in variable zoom optics systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-spectral imaging system that combines electromagnetic radiation from different spectral bands, including ULF/VLF, visible, and RF, with the ability to vary magnification over the field of view, using multiple sensor sub-systems and processors to create composite images with high zoom in the center and lower zoom at the periphery, enhancing situational awareness and tracking capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high zoom is used to track small objects at long range, then magnification is improved, but field of view becomes narrow making it difficult to reacquire lost targets
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into multiple zones with different magnification levels. The central region displays high-magnification imagery for detailed target observation, while peripheral regions display low-magnification imagery providing wide field of view for target acquisition and reacquisition. This segmentation allows simultaneous presentation of both narrow and wide field of view information to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different quality characteristics in terms of magnification. The center region has high magnification quality for detailed tracking, while the periphery has low magnification quality for situational awareness. This local differentiation of quality resolves the contradiction between needing high magnification and maintaining wide field of view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable zoom optics are used to adjust field of view, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity and failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical variable zoom optics with a digital/image processing approach. Multiple fixed focal length cameras capture imagery simultaneously, and digital processing combines these images to create a composite display with variable magnification regions. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts while achieving the same adaptability through software-based image composition.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional LIDAR techniques are used to locate objects below tree canopies, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple spectral bands (visible, infrared, and other non-visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum) into a single integrated imaging system. By combining imagery from different spectral regions, the system achieves enhanced detection capability for penetrating obscurations like tree canopies without requiring complex separate LIDAR systems. The multi-spectral image fusion provides complementary information that improves detection through various weather and terrain conditions.
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 provides improved tracking of small objects at long ranges by maintaining a wide field of view while allowing high zoom in specific regions, reducing the likelihood of losing targets as they move and mitigating obscurations, thus improving tracking efficiency and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor sub-system configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in a first spectral band from a scene and to provide a first image signal, a second sensor sub-system configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in a second spectral band from the scene
Implementation Method 2
each of the first sensor sub-system and the second sensor sub-systems includes a photo-sensitive detector and optics configured to focus the electromagnetic radiation onto the detector
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for producing multi-spectral images having variable (non-uniform) magnification over the lateral extent of the image. In one example, a multi-spectral imaging system includes a first sensor sub-system configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in a first spectral band from a scene and to provide a first image signal, a second sensor sub-system configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in a second spectral band from the scene and to provide a second image signal, a processor coupled to the first and second sensor sub-systems and configured to produce a first image of the scene from the first image signal, and a second image of the scene from the second image signal, the second image having a variable lateral magnification, and a display coupled to the processor and configured to display the second image overlaid with the first image.