Step-Stare Oblique Aerial Camera Cluster for Large Area Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aerial imagery systems face limitations in capturing large areas due to the small size of cameras and limited field of view, requiring multiple flights over a land mass and an inability to effectively photograph near-infrared images of land masses and vegetation.
Innovation Solution
A step-stare aerial camera system comprising a camera cluster with multiple cameras oriented in different directions, including downward, oblique, and near-infrared capabilities, rotated about horizontal and vertical axes to acquire a sequence of images while recording position, velocity, and attitude data, allowing for the creation of a synthetic composite image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional small cameras are used in standard airplanes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the area of land mass that can be photographed in a single pass is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple cameras arranged in a cluster, each capturing a different directional view (nadir, forward, backward, left, right). This segmentation allows the system to cover a larger ground area in a single pass by combining multiple smaller fields of view, resolving the contradiction between using simple cameras and achieving large area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-camera system to a multi-camera cluster configuration, adding spatial dimensionality to the imaging system. By arranging cameras in three-dimensional space with different orientations, the system captures images from multiple angles simultaneously, effectively expanding the photographable area without increasing the complexity of individual camera units.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple passes are made over a land mass to photograph large areas, then the area coverage is improved, but the time and number of flights required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-camera cluster system enables continuous coverage of large areas during a single flight pass. By having cameras oriented in multiple directions simultaneously, the system continuously captures images across the entire ground swath without requiring the aircraft to make multiple passes, thereby reducing flight time and operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates rotators that can dynamically adjust the orientation of the camera cluster during flight. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize its viewing angles and coverage area in real-time, maximizing the area photographed in each pass and reducing the total number of flights needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are oriented only in downward direction, then the manufacturing precision is simpler, but the ability to capture oblique images of land masses and vegetation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The camera cluster is designed with cameras oriented in multiple directions (nadir, forward, backward, left, right) to perform multiple imaging functions simultaneously. This multi-functional configuration allows the system to capture both downward-looking nadir images and oblique images of land masses and vegetation from a single platform, enhancing versatility without requiring separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging function is segmented across multiple cameras, with each camera dedicated to a specific directional view. This segmentation allows each camera to be optimized for its specific orientation while collectively providing comprehensive multi-directional coverage, resolving the contradiction between simple camera orientation and versatile imaging capability.
4Productivity
If traditional camera systems are used, then the device complexity is lower, but the field of view is limited requiring many passes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera systems into a single integrated cluster, combining the fields of view of individual cameras to achieve a much larger effective photographable area. By merging the capabilities of multiple cameras with different orientations, the system dramatically increases productivity and reduces the number of passes required, justifying the increased structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial camera system is disclosed comprising: a camera cluster, including a plurality of cameras, each camera orientated in a direction selected from a plurality of different camera directions having a downward component; one or more rotators that rotate the camera cluster about respective one or more axes in response to one or more signals, and a control module that successively provides one or more signals to the one or more rotators to rotate the camera cluster and cause the cameras in the camera cluster to acquire respective aerial images.