UAV Image Capture Array for Undistorted Panoramic View
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited field of view provided by single lens camera and monitoring systems for UAVs hinders accurate attitude and control adjustments due to a lack of ambient visual cues, and extreme wide-angle lenses distort perspectives, making precise maneuvering difficult.
Innovation Solution
An image capture and display system featuring a plurality of image sensing members arranged in a circular or semi-circular array, transmitting images to corresponding monitors or goggles, providing a panoramic, undistorted view that enhances peripheral vision and situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single lens conventionally configured camera is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of view is limited and ambient visual cues are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single camera system into multiple image sensing members (cameras) arranged in an array. Each camera captures a specific portion of the surrounding environment, and together they provide a comprehensive 360-degree or wide-angle field of view without requiring extreme wide-angle lenses.
2Area of stationary object
If an extreme wide angle lens is used to expand field of view, then the field of view is increased, but spherical distortion increases and object size perception becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single extreme wide-angle lens that causes distortion, the patent segments the viewing function across multiple cameras with narrower fields of view. Each camera provides an undistorted view of its specific sector, and the combination delivers both wide coverage and accurate object representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the outputs of multiple undistorted camera views into a composite panoramic or wrap-around display. This combining approach achieves wide field of view coverage while maintaining the geometric accuracy of individual camera lenses, avoiding the spherical distortion inherent in single extreme wide-angle lenses.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple image sensing members are used to provide panoramic view, then the field of view and situational awareness are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple image sensing members that can serve both as individual cameras for specific directional monitoring and collectively as a panoramic surveillance system. This multi-functionality allows the same array to provide both wide-area coverage and focused detail on specific objects or sectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point (2D sensor plane) to a distributed spatial array of sensors. By arranging multiple image sensing members in three-dimensional space around the UAV, the system captures visual information from multiple dimensions and angles simultaneously, creating a comprehensive spatial awareness capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture and display system comprises an image capture array positioned on a vehicle, the image capture array comprising a plurality of image sensing members. At least one transmitter is provided for transmitting images from the image sensing members. The system also includes a monitor display array positioned remotely from the image capture array. The monitor display array comprises a display monitor for and corresponding to each image sensing member, and a receiver for receiving the images corresponding to each transmitter.