UAV Aerial Camera Focusing Using Depth-Based Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic focusing technologies for UAVs suffer from slow focusing speeds and inaccuracies due to varying distances between the aerial camera and the target object during flight.
Innovation Solution
Employing a UAV equipped with multiple depth cameras mounted in different directions and a gimbal, the method calculates the actual distance between the aerial camera and the target object using attitude information and focal distance correlations to control focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional automatic focusing technology based on image processing is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the focusing speed becomes slow and focusing accuracy deteriorates due to varying distances during UAV flight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a depth camera as an intermediary device to measure the distance between the aerial camera and the target object. This mediator provides direct distance information, eliminating the need for complex image processing to infer focus distance, thereby improving focusing accuracy without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional image processing-based focusing method with a direct distance measurement approach using a depth camera. This substitution changes the measurement mechanism from optical analysis to active depth sensing, enabling faster and more accurate focus adjustment.
2Speed
If conventional image processing-based focusing is used, then the device complexity is low, but the focusing speed becomes slow due to varying distances during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The depth camera continuously measures and provides real-time distance information between the aerial camera and the target object before the focusing action occurs. This preliminary measurement enables the control module to proactively adjust the lens focus position, significantly improving focusing speed by eliminating the delay associated with image processing analysis.
3Measurement precision
If a depth camera is added to measure actual distance, then focusing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The depth camera serves multiple functions: it measures the distance between the aerial camera and the target object, provides focus distance information to the control module, and can potentially be used for other navigation and positioning tasks. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the component by providing multiple benefits from a single addition.
4Manufacturing precision
If the focal length is adjusted based on measured distance, then the image clarity is improved, but the time required for distance measurement and calculation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depth camera continuously measures the distance between the aerial camera and the target object in real-time during flight. This continuous measurement eliminates the need for discrete measurement cycles, providing uninterrupted distance information to the control module, thereby maintaining image clarity without significant time loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure disclose a focusing method and apparatus, an aerial camera and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The focusing method is applicable to the aerial camera. The aerial camera is carried on the UAV by using a gimbal. The focusing method includes: acquiring an actual distance between a to-be-photographed object and a depth camera by using the depth camera; determining a target distance between the aerial camera and the to-be-photographed object according to the actual distance; and controlling, according to the target distance, the aerial camera to perform focusing.