UAV Imaging Stabilization for Real-Time HDR Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for image processing by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are complex and unable to capture high-quality images for challenging scenes with significant variations in lighting conditions, lacking the capability to produce high dynamic range (HDR) images in real time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that stabilize an imaging device on a mobile platform, allowing it to capture multiple images with different configurations, which are then fused into a resultant image without the need for image registration, using a stabilization device to maintain spatial alignment and a controller to direct the imaging device to capture images with varying exposure configurations, thereby producing a composite HDR image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple images with different exposure configurations are captured to achieve HDR imaging, then the dynamic range of the resultant image is improved, but the complexity of image processing and alignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by stabilizing the imaging device on the mobile platform before capturing the bracketed images. The stabilization device pre-aligns the imaging device to ensure that subsequent images captured during motion will remain spatially aligned, eliminating the need for complex post-capture image registration processes. This preliminary stabilization action resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining high dynamic range through multi-exposure bracketing while preventing the worsening of processing complexity.
2Productivity
If images are captured during mobile platform motion to enable real-time HDR imaging, then the productivity of image capture is improved, but the spatial alignment precision of captured images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stabilization device as an intermediary between the mobile platform and the imaging device. This intermediary component actively compensates for platform motion by adjusting the imaging device's position and orientation during capture, thereby maintaining spatial alignment precision even when the mobile platform is in motion. This enables real-time HDR imaging capability without sacrificing alignment precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If image registration processes are performed to align bracketed images, then the quality of the resultant HDR image is improved, but the computational time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the alignment action preliminarily by stabilizing the imaging device before image capture rather than performing complex registration operations after capture. The stabilization device ensures that images are captured in precise spatial alignment from the outset, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing registration operations. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high alignment accuracy while minimizing processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for supporting imaging includes an imaging device configured to capture a plurality of images for a substantially same scene using respective imaging configurations, a stabilization device configured to stabilize the imaging device on a mobile platform during the capturing of the plurality of images, and a controller communicating with at least one of the imaging device or the stabilization device and configured to control an operation of the mobile platform.