Ten-Lens UAV Imaging System for Simultaneous Thermal and Visible Light Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oblique photogrammetry using single thermal infrared cameras on unmanned aerial vehicles is inefficient due to the need for multiple routes and inconsistent imaging specifications between thermal infrared and visible light cameras, limiting effective combination of temperature and color information for three-dimensional modeling.
Innovation Solution
A joint imaging system with a ten-lens unit comprising five identical visible light and five identical thermal infrared lenses, arranged in a cross layout on an unmanned aerial vehicle, allowing simultaneous collection and spatial registration of images, followed by an image enhancement fusion method to unify and enhance image data for effective pixel-level fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single thermal infrared camera is used for oblique photogrammetry, then thermal radiation information can be captured, but multiple routes are required to simulate five visual angles, resulting in low efficiency and long time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines five thermal infrared cameras into a single integrated imaging system, with one camera positioned at the center and four at the corners, each oriented to capture one of the five required visual angles (vertical and four oblique angles). This merging of multiple cameras into one unified system eliminates the need for multiple separate flight routes, thereby resolving the contradiction between capturing thermal radiation information and maintaining imaging efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermal infrared camera and visible camera are arranged on the same baseline with parallel optical axes, then dual-light imaging can be achieved, but inconsistent imaging specifications (focal length, field of view, resolution) result in inconsistent spatial scales, preventing effective image fusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using five identical thermal infrared cameras with matching specifications (focal length, field of view, resolution) rather than combining thermal and visible cameras with different parameters. This standardization of parameters across all thermal cameras ensures consistent spatial scales in the captured images, enabling effective fusion and resolving the contradiction between dual-light imaging capability and spatial scale consistency.
3Productivity
If five identical visible light cameras and five identical thermal infrared cameras are used in a ten-lens unit, then simultaneous collection from five visual angles is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging system into five independent but identical camera modules, each capable of capturing one visual angle. These modules are then integrated into a unified ten-lens unit (five visible light cameras plus five thermal infrared cameras). This segmentation approach allows simultaneous collection from five angles while managing complexity through modular design, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
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
This approach enables efficient and rapid collection of thermal infrared and visible light images, improving feature recognition and spatial coordinate accuracy in three-dimensional modeling with reduced data collection workload.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal infrared sensors are capable of capturing the thermal radiation information of objects and image them
Data Source
AI summary
A joint imaging system based on unmanned aerial vehicle platform and an image enhancement fusion method are provided. The system includes a flying unit as a load platform, a shutter control system for controlling the operation of a load camera, a posture control system for recording the movement track and POS data of the flying unit, an airborne image transmission system for communicating with ground equipment, and an onboard computing unit with an image processing module for receiving the output images and performing image processing and fusion.