Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
  • G06T17/00—Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
  • G06T17/05—Geographic models
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
  • G01C11/00—Photogrammetry or videogrammetry, e.g. stereogrammetry; Photographic surveying
  • G01C11/02—Picture taking arrangements specially adapted for photogrammetry or photographic surveying, e.g. controlling overlapping of pictures
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
  • G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
  • G01S17/86—Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/45—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/58—Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
  • H04N23/698—Control of cameras or camera modules for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
  • G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
  • G01S17/88—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
  • G01S17/89—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
  • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
  • G01S7/48—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S17/00
  • G01S7/497—Means for monitoring or calibrating
  • G01S7/4972—Alignment of sensor

Definitions

• the present invention relates, generally, to the field of remote imaging techniques and, more particularly, to a system for rendering high-resolution, high accuracy, low distortion digital images over very large fields of view.
• Remote sensing and imaging are broad-based technologies having a number of diverse and extremely important practical applications - such as geological mapping and analysis, and meteorological forecasting.
• Aerial and satellite-based photography and imaging are especially useful remote imaging techniques that have, over recent years, become heavily reliant on the collection and processing of data for digital images, including spectral, spatial, elevation, and vehicle location and orientation parameters.
• Spatial data - characterizing real estate improvements and locations, roads and highways, environmental hazards and conditions, utilities infrastructures (e.g., phone lines, pipelines), and geophysical features - can now be collected, processed, and communicated in a digital format to conveniently provide highly accurate mapping and surveillance data for various applications (e.g., dynamic GPS mapping).
• Elevation data may be used to improve the overall system's spatial and positional accuracy and may be acquired from either existing Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data sets or collected with the spectral sensor data from an active, radiation measuring Doppler based devices, or passive, stereographic calculations.
• DEM Digital Elevation Model
• Photographic issues such as spherical aberrations, astigmatism, field curvature, distortion, and chromatic aberrations are well-known problems that must be dealt with in any sensor/imaging application.
• Certain applications require very high image resolution - often with tolerances of inches.
• an actual digital imaging device may be located anywhere from several feet to miles from its target, resulting in a very large scale factor. Providing images with very large scale factors, that also have resolution tolerances of inches, poses a challenge to even the most robust imaging system.
• Ortho-imaging is an approach that has been used in an attempt to address this problem.
• ortho-imaging renders a composite image of a target by compiling varying sub-images of the target.
• a digital imaging device that has a finite range and resolution records images of fixed subsections of a target area sequentially. Those images are then aligned according to some sequence to render a composite of a target area.
• the present invention relates to remote data collection and processing system using a variety of sensors.
• the system may include computer console units that control vehicle and system operations in real-time.
• the system may also include global positioning systems that are linked to and communicate with the computer consoles.
• cameras and/or camera array assemblies can be employed for producing an image of a target viewed through an aperture.
• the camera array assemblies are communicatively connected to the computer consoles.
• the camera array assembly has a mount housing, a first imaging sensor centrally coupled to the housing having a first focal axis passing through the aperture.
• the camera array assembly also has a second imaging sensor coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along an axis, that has a second focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within an intersection area.
• the camera array assembly has a third imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along the axis, opposite the second imaging sensor, that has a third focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within the intersection area. Any number of one-to-n cameras may be used in this manner, where "n" can be any odd or even number.
• the system may also include an Attitude Measurement Unit (AMU) such as inertial, optical, or similar measurement units communicatively connected to the computer consoles and the camera array assemblies.
• AMU Attitude Measurement Unit
• the AMU may determine the yaw, pitch, and/or roll of the aircraft at any instant in time and successive DGPS positions may be used to measure the vehicle heading with relation to geodesic north.
• the AMU data is integrated with the precision DGPS data to produce a robust, real-time AMU system.
• the system may further include a mosaicing module housed within the computer consoles.
• the mosaicing module includes a first component for performing initial processing on an input image.
• the mosaicing module also includes a second component for determining geographical boundaries of an input image with the second component being cooperatively engaged with the first component.
• the mosaicing module further includes a third component for mapping an input image into the composite image with accurate geographical position.
• the third component being cooperatively engaged with the first and second components.
• a fourth component is also included in the mosaicing module for balancing color of the input images mapped into the composite image.
• the fourth component can be cooperatively engaged with the first, second and third components.
• the mosaicing module can include a fifth component for blending borders between adjacent input images mapped into the composite image. The fifth component being cooperatively engaged with the first, second, third and fourth components.
• a sixth component an optional forward oblique and/or optional rear oblique camera array system may be implemented that collects oblique image data and merges the image data with attitude and positional measurements in order to create a digital elevation model using stereographic techniques. Creation of which may be performed in real-time onboard the vehicle or post processed later.
• This sixth component works cooperatively with the other components. All components may be mounted to a rigid platform for the purpose of providing co-registration of sensor data. Vibrations, turbulence, and other forces may act on the vehicle in such a way as to create errors in the alignment relationship between sensors. Utilization of common, rigid platform mount for the sensors provides a significant advantage over other systems that do not use this co-registration architecture.
• the present invention may employ a certain degree of lateral oversampling to improve output quality and/or co-mounted, co-registered oversampling to overcome physical pixel resolution limits.
• FIG. 1A illustrates a portion of the vehicle based data collection and processing system of FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 3 illustrates a camera array assembly in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention
• FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an imaging pattern retrieved by the camera array assembly of FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 5 depicts an imaging pattern illustrating certain aspects of the present invention
• FIG. 6 illustrates an image strip in accordance with the present invention
• FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of an imaging process in accordance with the present invention
• FIG. 9 illustrates diagrammatically how photos taken with the camera array assembly can be aligned to make an individual frame
• FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the processing logic according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 1 is an illustration of lateral oversampling looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention
• FIG. 12 is an illustration of lateral oversampling looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is an illustration of flight line oversampling looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 14 is an illustration of flight line oversampling looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 15 is an illustration of progressive magnification looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is an illustration of progressive magnification looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 is an illustration of progressive magnification looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 is a schematic of the system architecture according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• Examples of the functions of the computer console are the controlling digital color sensor systems that can be associated with the data collection and processing system, providing the display data to a pilot, coordinating the satellite generated GPS pulse- per-second (PPS) event trigger (which may be 20 or more pulses per second), data logging, sensor control and adjustment, checking and alarming for error events, recording and indexing photos, storing and processing data, flight planning capability that automates the navigation of the vehicle, data, and providing a real-time display of pertinent information.
• PPS GPS pulse- per-second
• a communications interface between the control computer console and the vehicle autopilot control provides the ability to actually control the flight path of the vehicle in real-time. This results in a more precise control of the vehicle's path than is possible by a human being. All of these functions can be accomplished by the use of various computer programs that are synchronized to the GPS PPS signals and take into account the various electrical latencies of the measurement devices.
• the computer is embedded within the sensor.
• One or more differential global positioning systems 106 are incorporated into the system 100.
• the global positioning systems 106 are used to navigate and determine precise flight paths during vehicle and system operations.
• the global positioning systems 106 are communicatively linked to the computer console 102 such that the information from the global positioning systems 106 can be acquired and processed without flight interruption.
• Zero or more GPS units may be located at known survey points in order to provide a record of each sub-seconds' GPS satellite-based errors in order to be able to back correct the accuracy of the system 100.
• GPS and/or ground based positioning services may be used that eliminate the need for ground control points altogether. This technique results in greatly improved, sub-second by sub-second positional accuracy of the data capture vehicle.
• One or more AMUs 108 that provide real-time yaw, pitch, and roll information that is used to accurately determine the attitude of the vehicle at the instant of data capture are also communicatively linked to the computer console 102.
• the present attitude measurement unit (e.g., Applanix POS AV), uses three high performance fiber optic gyros, one gyro each for yaw, pitch, and roll measurement.
• AMUs from other manufacturers, and AMUs that use other inertial measurement devices can be used as well.
• an AMU may be employed to determine the instantaneous attitude of the vehicle and make the system more fault tolerant to statistical errors in AMU readings.
• One or more camera array assemblies 112 for producing an image of a target viewed through an aperture are also communicatively connected to the one or more computer consoles 102.
• the camera array assemblies 112 which will be described in greater detail below, provide the data collection and processing system with the ability to capture high resolution, high precision progressive scan or line scan, color digital photography.
• the system may also include DC power and conditioning equipment 114 to condition DC power and to invert DC power to AC power in order to provide electrical power for the system.
• the system may further include a navigational display 116, which graphically renders the position of the vehicle versus the flight plan for use by the pilot (either onboard or remote) of the vehicle to enable precision flight paths in horizontal and vertical planes.
• the system may also include an EMU module comprised of LIDAR, SAR 118 or a forward and rear oblique camera array for capturing three dimensional elevation/relief data.
• the EMU module 118 can include a laser unit 120, an EMU control unit 122, and an EMU control computer 124.
• Temperature controlling devices such as solid state cooling modules, can also be deployed as needed in order to provide the proper thermal environment for the system.
• the system also includes a mosaicing module, not depicted, housed with the computer console 102.
• the mosaicing module which will be described in further detail below, provides the system the ability to gather data acquired by the global positioning system 106, the AMU 108, and the camera system 112 and process that data into useable orthomaps.
• the system 100 also can include a self-locking flight path technique that provides the ability to micro-correct the positional accuracy of adjacent flight paths in order to realize precision that exceeds the native precision of the AMU and DGPS sensors alone.
• a complete flight planning methodology is used to micro plan all aspects of missions.
• the inputs are the various mission parameters (latitude/longitude, resolution, color, accuracy, etc.) and the outputs are detailed on-line digital maps and data files that are stored onboard the data collection vehicle and used for real-time navigation and alarms.
• the ability to interface the flight planning data directly into the autopilot is an additional integrated capability.
• a computer program may be used that automatically controls the flight path, attitude adjustments, graphical display, moving maps of the vehicle path, checks for alarm conditions and corrective actions, notifies the pilot and/or crew of overall system status, and provides for fail-safe operations and controls. Safe operations parameters may be constantly monitored and reported. Whereas the current system uses a manned crew, the system is designed to perform equally well in an unmanned vehicle.
• FIG. 2 shows another depiction of the present invention.
• the camera array assembly 112 is shown in more detail.
• the camera array assembly 112 allows for images to be acquired from the rear oblique, the forward obliques and the nadir positions.
• FIG. 3 describes in more detail a camera array assembly of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 provides a camera array assembly 300 airborne over target 302 (e.g., terrain).
• target 302 e.g., terrain
• target 302 e.g., terrain
• the camera array assembly 300 comprises a housing 304 within which imaging sensors 306, 308, 310, 312 and 314 are disposed along a concave curvilinear axis 316.
• the radius of curvature of axis 316 may vary or be altered dramatically, providing the ability to effect very subtle or very drastic degrees of concavity in axis 316. Alternatively, axis 316 may be completely linear - having no curvature at all.
• the imaging sensors 306, 308, 310, 312 and 314 couple to the housing 304, either directly or indirectly, by attachment members 318.
• Attachment members 318 may comprise a number of fixed or dynamic, permanent or temporary, connective apparatus.
• the attachment members 318 may comprise simple welds, removable clamping devices, or electro-mechanically controlled universal joints.
• the system 100 may also use highly fault-tolerant methods that have been developed to provide a software inter-leaved disk storage methodology that allows one or two hard drives to fail and still not lose target data that is stored on the drives.
• This software inter-leaved disk storage methodology provides superior fault-tolerance and portability versus other, hardware methodologies, such as RAID-5.
• the system 100 may also incorporate a methodology that has been developed that allows for a short calibration step just before mission data capture.
• the calibration methodology step adjusts the camera settings, mainly exposure time, based on sampling the ambient light intensity and setting near optimal values just before reaching the region of interest.
• a moving average algorithm is then used to make second-by-second camera adjustments in order to deliver improved, consistent photo results. This improves the color processing of the orthomaps.
• the calibration may be used to check or to establish the exact spatial position of each sensor device (cameras, DPG, AMU, EMU, etc.). In this manner, changes that may happen in the spatial location of these devices may be accounted for and maintain overall system precision metrics.
• the system 100 may incorporate a methodology that has been developed that allows for calibrating the precision position and attitude of each sensor device (cameras, DPG, AMU, EMU, etc.) on the vehicle by flying over an area that contains multiple known, visible, highly accurate geographic positions.
• a program takes this data as input and outputs the micro positional data that is then used to precisely process the orthomaps.
• housing 304 comprises a simple enclosure inside of which imaging sensors 306, 308, 310, 312 and 314 are disposed.
• FIG. 3 depicts a 5-camera array
• the system works equally well when utilizing any number of camera sensors from 1 to any number.
• Sensors 306 through 314 couple, via the attachment members 318, either collectively to a single transverse cross member, or individually to lateral cross members disposed between opposing walls of the housing 304.
• the housing 304 may itself comprise only a supporting cross member of concave curvature to which the imaging sensors 306 through 314 couple, via members 318.
• the housing 304 may comprise a hybrid combination of enclosure and supporting cross member.
• the housing 304 further comprises an aperture 320 formed in its surface, between the imaging sensors and target 302.
• the aperture 320 may comprise only a void, or it may comprise a protective screen or window to maintain environmental integrity within the housing 304.
• a protective transparent plate is used for any sensor, special coatings may be applied to the plate to improve the quality of the sensor data.
• the aperture 320 may comprise a lens or other optical device to enhance or alter the nature of the images recorded by the sensors.
• the aperture 320 is formed with a size and shape sufficient to provide the imaging sensors 306 through 314 proper lines of sight to a target region 322 on terrain 302.
• the focal axes of all imaging sensors may intersect at exactly the same point, or may intersect at a plurality of points, all within close proximity to each other and within the intersection area defined by the aperture 320.
• the imaging sensor 310 is centrally disposed within the housing 304 along axis 316.
• the imaging sensor 310 has a focal axis 324, directed orthogonally from the housing 304 to align the line of sight of the imaging sensor with the image area 326 of the region 322.
• the imaging sensor 308 is disposed within the housing 304 along the axis 316, adjacent to the imaging sensor 310.
• the imaging sensor 308 is aligned such that its line of sight coincides with the image area 328 of the region 322, and such that its focal axis 330 converges with and intersects the axis 324 within the area bounded by the aperture 320.
• the imaging sensor 312 is disposed within the housing 304 adjacent to the imaging sensor 310, on the opposite side of the axis 316 as the imaging sensor 308.
• the imaging sensor 312 is aligned such that its line of sight coincides with the image area 332 of the region 322, and such that its focal axis 334 converges with and intersects axes 324 and 330 within the area bounded by the aperture 320.
• the imaging sensor 306 is disposed within the housing 304 along the axis 316, adjacent to the sensor 308.
• the imaging sensor 306 is aligned such that its line of sight coincides with the image area 336 of region 322, and such that its focal axis 338 converges with and intersects the other focal axes within the area bounded by aperture 320.
• the imaging sensor 314 is disposed within housing 304 adjacent to sensor 312, on the opposite side of axis 316 as sensor 306.
• the imaging sensor 314 is aligned such that its line of sight coincides with image area 340 of region 322, and such that its focal axis 344 converges with and intersects the other focal axes within the area bounded by aperture 320.
• the imaging sensors 306 through 314 may comprise a number of digital imaging devices including, for example, individual area scan cameras, line scan cameras, infrared sensors, hyperspectral and/or seismic sensors. Each sensor may comprise an individual imaging device, or may itself comprise an imaging array.
• the imaging sensors 306 through 314 may all be of a homogenous nature, or may comprise a combination of varied imaging devices. For ease of reference, the imaging sensors 306 through 314 are hereafter referred to as cameras 306 through 314, respectively.
• lens distortion is typically a source of imaging problems. Each individual lens must be carefully calibrated to determine precise distortion factors.
• small-format digital cameras having lens angle widths of 17 degrees or smaller are utilized. This alleviates noticeable distortion efficiently and affordably.
• Cameras 306 through 314 are alternately disposed within housing 304 along axis 316 such that each camera's focal axis converges upon aperture 320, crosses focal axis 324, and aligns its field of view with a target area opposite its respective position in the array resulting in a "cross-eyed", retinal relationship between the cameras and the imaging target(s).
• the camera array assembly 300 is configured such that adjoining borders of image areas 326, 328, 332, 336 and 340 overlap slightly.
• attachment members 318 are of a temporary or adjustable nature, however, it may be desirable to selectively adjust, either manually or by remote automation, the position or alignment of the cameras so as to shift, narrow or widen areas 326, 328, 332, 336 and 340 - thereby enhancing or altering the quality of images collected by the camera array assembly 300.
• the mount unit is any rigid structure to which at least one imaging sensor may be affixed.
• the mount unit is preferably a housing, which encloses the imaging sensor, but may be any rigid structure including a brace, tripod, or the like.
• an imaging sensor means any device capable of receiving and processing active or passive radiometric energy, i.e., light, sound, heat, gravity, and the like, from a target area.
• imaging sensors may include any number of digital cameras, including those that utilize a red-blue-green filter, a bushbroom filter, or a hyperspectral filter, LIDAR sensors, infrared sensors, heat-sensing sensors, gravitometers and the like.
• Imagining sensors do not include attitude measuring sensors such as gyroscopes, GPS devices, and the like devices, which serve to orient the vehicle with the aid of satellite data and/or inertial data.
• the multiple sensors are different.
• the mount unit preferably has an aperture through which light and/or energy may pass.
• the mount plate is preferably planer, but may be non-planer.
• the mount plate preferably has aperture(s) in alignment with the aperture(s) of the mount unit(s) through which light and/or energy may pass.
• Objects are rigidly affixed to one another if during normal operation they flex from each other less than about 100 th of a degree, preferably less than about 1 ,000 th of a degree, more preferably less than about 10,000 th of a degree.
• Camera 310 is designated as the principal camera.
• the image plane 326 of camera 310 serves as a plane of reference.
• the orientations of the other cameras 306, 308, 312 and 314 are measured relative to the plane of reference.
• the relative orientations of each camera are measured in terms of the yaw, pitch and roll angles required to rotate the image plane of the camera to become parallel to the plane of reference.
• the order of rotations is preferably yaw, pitch, and roll.
• the imaging sensors affixed to the mount unit(s) may not be aligned in the same plane. Instead, the angle of their mount relative to the mount angle of a first sensor affixed to the first mount unit, preferably the principle nadir camera of the first mount unit, may be offset. Accordingly, the imaging sensors may be co-registered to calibrate the physical mount angle offset of each imaging sensor relative to each other.
• multiple, i.e., at least two, rigid mount units are affixed to the same rigid mount plate and are co-registered.
• the cameras 306 through 314 are affixed to a rigid mount unit and co-registered.
• the geometric centerpoint of the AMU preferably a gyroscope
• the physical position of the first sensor affixed to the first mount unit preferably the principle nadir camera of the first mount unit, is calculated relative to a reference point, preferably the geometric centerpoint of the AMU.
• the physical position of all remaining sensors within all mount units are calculated— directly or indirectly—relative to the same reference point.
• the boresight angle of a sensor is defined as the angle from the geometric center of that sensor to a reference plane.
• the reference plane is orthogonal to the target area.
• the boresight angle of the first sensor may be determined using the ground target points.
• the boresight angles of subsequent sensors are preferably calculated with reference to the boresight angle of the first sensor.
• the sensors are preferably calibrated using known ground targets, which are preferably photo-identifiable, and alternatively calibrated using a self-locking flight path or any other method as disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2004/0054488A1 , now U.S. Patent No. 7,212,938B2, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in full.
• the imaging sensor within the second mount unit may be any imaging sensor, and is preferably a LIDAR.
• the second imaging sensor is a digital camera, or array of digital cameras.
• the boresight angle of the sensor(s) affixed to the second mount unit are calculated with reference to the boresight angle of the first sensor.
• the physical offset of the imaging sensor(s) within the second mount unit may be calibrated with reference to the boresight angle of the first sensor within the first mount unit.
• images of areas 336, 328, 326, 332 and 340 taken by cameras 306 through 314, respectively, are illustrated from an overhead view. Again, because of the "cross-eyed" arrangement, the image of area 336 is taken by camera 306, the image of area 340 is taken by camera 314, and so on. In one embodiment of the present invention, images other than those taken by the center camera 310 take on a trapezoidal shape after perspective transformation. Cameras 306 through 314 form an array along axis 316 that is, in most applications, pointed down vertically.
• a second array of cameras configured similar the array of cameras 306 through 314, is aligned with respect to the first array of cameras to have an oblique view providing a "heads-up" perspective.
• the angle of declination from horizontal of the heads-up camera array assembly may vary due to mission objectives and parameters but angles of 25-45 degrees are typical.
• Other alternative embodiments, varying the mounting of camera arrays, are similarly comprehended by the present invention.
• the relative positions and attitudes of the cameras are precisely measured and calibrated so as to facilitate image processing in accordance with the present invention.
• an external mechanism e.g., a GPS timing signal
• a mosaicing module then renders the individual input images from such an array into an ortho-rectified compound image (or "mosaic"), without any visible seams between the adjacent images.
• the mosaicing module performs a set of tasks comprising: determining the geographical boundaries and dimensions of each input image; projecting each input image onto the mosaic with accurate geographical positioning; balancing the color of the images in the mosaic; and blending adjacent input images at their shared seams. The exact order of the tasks performed may vary, depending upon the size and nature of the input image data.
• the mosaicing module performs only a single transformation to an original input image during mosaicing. That transformation can be represented by a 4 x 4 matrix. By combining multiple transformation matrices into a single matrix, processing time is reduced and original input image sharpness is retained.
• pixels in the mosaic may not be mapped to by any pixels in the input images (i.e., input pixels). Warped lines could potentially result as artifacts in the mosaic.
• Certain embodiments of the present invention overcome this with a super-sampling system, where each input and output pixel is further divided into an n x m grid of sub-pixels. Transformation is performed from sub-pixels to sub-pixels. The final value of an output pixel is the average value of its sub-pixels for which there is a corresponding input sub-pixel. Larger n and m values produce mosaics of higher resolution, but do require extra processing time.
• the mosaicing module may utilize the following information: the spatial position (e.g., x, y, z coordinates) of each camera's focal point at the time an input image is captured; the attitude (i.e., yaw, pitch, roll) " of each camera's image plane relative to the target region's ground plane at the time an input image was captured; each camera's fields of view (i.e., along track and cross track); and the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the area.
• the attitude can be provided by the AMUs associated with the system.
• Digital terrain models (DTMs) or Digital surface models (DSMs) can be created from information obtained using a LIDAR module 118.
• LIDAR is similar to the more familiar radar, and can be thought of as laser radar.
• radar radio waves are transmitted into the atmosphere that scatters some of the energy back to the radar's receiver.
• LIDAR also transmits and receives electromagnetic radiation, but at a higher frequency since it operates in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• LIDAR transmits light out to a target area. The transmitted light interacts with and is changed by the target area. Some of this light is reflected / scattered back to the LIDAR instrument where it can be analyzed. The change in the properties of the light enables some property of the target area to be determined. The time for the light to travel out to the target area and back to LIDAR device is used to determine the range to the target.
• DTM and DSM data sets can also be captured from the camera array assembly.
• Traditional means of obtaining elevation data may also be used such as stereographic techniques.
• Range finder LIDAR is the simplest LIDAR and is used to measure the distance from the LIDAR device to a solid or hard target.
• DIAL LIDAR is used to measure chemical concentrations (such as ozone, water vapor, pollutants) in the atmosphere.
• a DIAL LIDAR uses two different laser wavelengths that are selected so that one of the wavelengths is absorbed by the molecule of interest while the other wavelength is not. The difference in intensity of the two return signals can be used to deduce the concentration of the molecule being investigated.
• Doppler LIDAR is used to measure the velocity of a target.
• the wavelength of the light reflected/scattered off the target will be changed slightly. This is known as a Doppler-shift and therefore Doppler LIDAR. If the target is moving away from the LIDAR, the return light will have a longer wavelength (sometimes referred to as a red shift), if moving towards the LIDAR the return light will be at a shorter wavelength (blue shifted).
• the target can be either a hard target or an atmospheric target (e.g. microscopic dust and aerosol particles that are carried by the wind.
• a camera's focal point is preferably used as a perspective transformation center. Its position in space may be determined, for example, by a multi-frequency carrier phase post- processed GPS system mounted on the host craft.
• the offsets, in three dimensions, of a camera's focal point are preferably carefully measured against the center of the GPS antenna. These offsets may be combined with the position of the GPS antenna, and the orientation of the host craft, to determine the exact position of the camera's focal point.
• the position of the GPS antenna is preferably determined by processing of collected GPS data against similar ground-based GPS antennas deployed at precisely surveyed points.
• One or more AMUs are preferably mounted onboard for attitude determination.
• the attitude of the AMU reference plane relative to the target region's ground plane is preferably measured and recorded at short intervals, with accuracy better than one-hundredth of one degree.
• the attitude of the AMU reference plane may be defined as the series of rotations that can be performed on the axes of this plane to make it parallel to the ground plane. The term “align" could also be used to describe this operation.
• the attitude of center camera 310 (i.e. its image plane), relative to the AMU, is preferably precisely calibrated.
• the attitude of each of the other cameras, relative to center camera 310 is preferably also be carefully calibrated. This dependent calibration is more efficient than directly calibrating each camera.
• the camera array assembly 300 is remounted, only center camera 310 needs to be recalibrated. Effectively, a series of two transformations is applied to an input image from center camera 310. First, the center camera's image plane is aligned to the AMU plane. Then, the AMU plane is aligned again to the ground plane. These transformations, however, combine into a single operation by multiplying their respective transformation matrices. For images from each of the other cameras, an additional transformation is first performed to align it with the center camera's image plane.
• the position of the focal point of center camera 310 may be determined as described above.
• the x and y components of this position preferably determine the position of the mosaic's nadir point 400 on the ground.
• Field of view (FOV) angles of each camera are known, thus the dimensions of each input image may be determined by the z component of that camera's focal point.
• An average elevation of the ground is preferably determined by computing the average elevation of points in the DTMs of the area, and then each input image is projected to an imaginary horizontal plane at this elevation. Relief displacement is then preferably applied using the DTMs of the area.
• the DTMs can be obtained from many sources including: the USGS 30- or 10-meter DTMs available for most of the US; commercial DTMs; or DTMs obtained by a LIDAR or SAR EMU device mounted on the host craft that captures data concurrently with the cameras.
• the resulting compound image also needs to have radiometric consistency throughout, and no visible seams at the joints between two adjacent images.
• the present invention provides a number of techniques for achieving this goal.
• a characteristic of a conventional camera is the exposure time (i.e., the time the shutter is open to collect light onto the image plane). The longer the exposure time, the lighter the resultant image becomes. Exposure time must adapt to changes in ambient lighting caused by conditions such as: cloud coverage; the angle and position of the sun relative to the camera; and so forth. Optimal exposure time may also depend on a camera's orientation with respect to lighting sources (e.g., cameras pointing towards a sunlit object typically receive more ambient light than those pointing towards a shaded object). Exposure time is adjusted to keep the average intensity of an image within a certain desired range. For example, in 24-bit color images each Red, Green and Blue component can have intensity values from 0 to 255. In most instances, however, it is desirable to keep the average intensity at a mean value (i.e., 127).
• an exposure control module controls exposure time for each of the cameras or imaging sensors. It examines each input image and calculates average image intensity. Based on a moving average (i.e., average intensity of the last X number of images), the exposure control module determines whether to increase or decrease exposure time. The module can use a longer running average to effect a slower reaction to changes in lighting conditions, with less susceptibility to unusually dark or light images (e.g., asphalt roads or water). The exposure control module controls exposure time for each camera separately.
• the exposure control module computes the average intensity of an image by selecting only green-dominant pixels. For example, if an image has 1 million pixels and 300,000 are green-dominant, only those 300,000 green-dominant pixels are included in the calculation of average intensity. This results in an imaging process that is less susceptible to biasing caused by man-made structures and water bodies, whose pixels are usually not green- dominant. As previously noted, it is desirable to maintain an intensity value of about 127. When intensity value is over 127 (i.e., over-exposed), exposure time is reduced so that less light is captured. Similarly, when intensity value is under 127 (i.e., under-exposed), exposure time is increased so that more light is captured.
• the exposure control module reduces intensity differences between input images. Nonetheless, further processing is provided to enhance tonal balance. There are a number of factors (e.g., lens physics, atmospheric conditions, spatial/positional relationships of imaging devices) that cause an uneven reception of light from the image plane. More light is received in the center of a camera or sensor than at the edges.
• factors e.g., lens physics, atmospheric conditions, spatial/positional relationships of imaging devices
• the mosaicing module of the present invention addresses this with an anti- vignetting function, illustrated in reference now to FIG. 5.
• a number of focal columns 500, 502, 504, 506 and 508 converge from image plane 509 and cross through focal point 510 as they range across imaging target area 512 (e.g., ground terrain).
• Columns 500 through 508 may comprise individual resolution columns of a single camera or sensor, or may represent the focal axes of a number of independent cameras or sensors.
• column 504 serves as the axis and point 513 at which column 504 intersects image plane 509 serves as a principal point.
• the exposure control module applies an anti-vignetting function multiplying the original intensity of an input pixel with a column-dependent anti-vignetting factor. Because the receiving surface is represented as a plane with a coordinate system, each column will have a number of resolution rows (not shown). This relationship may be expressed, for a pixel p at column x and row >, as follows:
• the off-axis angle 514 is: zero for center column 504; larger for columns 502 and 506; and larger still for columns 500 and 508.
• the overall field of view angle 516 (FOVx angle) is depicted between columns 504 and 508.
• the function ⁇ ) can be approximated by a number of line segments between columns. For a point falling within a line segment between any given columns cl and c2, an adjustment factor is computed as follows:
• intensity difference could include, for example, the exposure control module being biased by unusually bright or dark objects present in the field of view of only a particular camera, or the boresight angles of cameras being different (i.e., cameras that are more slanted receive less light than those more vertical).
• a correlation matrix C may be derived as:
• FIG. 6 depicts a strip 600 being formed in accordance with the present invention.
• V be a vector that represents the R, G and B values of a pixel:
• the mosaic can be divided into a number of segments corresponding to the position of the original input images that make up the mosaic. The process described above is applied to each segment separately to provide better local color consistency.
• FIG. 7 depicts a strip 700 being formed in accordance with the present invention.
• a base mosaic 702 and a new segment 704 overlap in area 706.
• Mosaic 702 and another new segment 708 overlap in area 710.
• Segments 704 and 708 overlap in area 712, and areas 706, 710 and 712 all overlap and coincide at area 714.
• point 716 serves as an origin for y-axis 718 and x-axis 720. Movement along y-axis 718 represents movement along the flight path of the imaging system.
• Point 716 is located at the lower left of area 714.
• the dimensions of a strip are determined by the minimum and maximum x and y values of the constituent mosaics.
• An output strip is initialized to a background color.
• a first mosaic is transferred to the strip.
• the next mosaic (along the flight path) is processed next.
• Intensity values of the overlapping areas of the new mosaic and the first mosaic are correlated, separately for each color channel.
• the new mosaic is divided into a number of segments corresponding to the original input images that made up the mosaic.
• a mask matrix, comprising a number of mask elements, is created for the new mosaic.
• a mask element contains the correlation matrix for a corresponding pixel in the new mosaic. All elements in the mask are initialized to unity.
• the size of the mask can be limited to just the transition area of the new mosaic.
• the correlation matrix is calculated for the center segment.
• the mask area corresponding to the center segment is processed.
• the values of the elements at the edge of the overlap area are set to the correlation vector.
• gradually moving away from the first mosaic along the strip the components of the correlation matrix are either increased or decreased (whether they are less or more than unity, respectively) until they become unity at a predetermined transition distance.
• the area of the mask corresponding to a segment adjoining the center segment is then processed similarly.
• the area 714 formed by the first mosaic and the center and adjoining segments of the new image requires special treatment. Because the correlation matrix for the adjoining segment may not be identical to that of the center segment, a seam may appear at the border of the two segments in the overlap area 714 with the first mosaic.
• V2 is the balanced RGB vector based on segment 708;
• x-axis is the line going through bottom of overlapped region
• y-axis is the line going through the left side of the overlapped region between segments 704 and 708;
• d is the width of the overlapped region between segments 704 and 708.
• the mask areas corresponding to other adjoining segments are computed similarly.
• a color fidelity (i.e., white-balance) filter is applied. This multiplies R and B components with a determinable factor to enhance color fidelity. The factor may be determined by calibrating the cameras and lenses.
• the color fidelity filter ensures that the colors in an image retain their fidelity, as perceived directly by the human eye. Within the image capture apparatus, the Red, Green and Blue light receiving elements may have different sensitivities to the color they are supposed to capture.
• a "while- balance" process is applied - where image of a white object is captured. Theoretically, pixels in the image of that white object should have equivalent R, G and B values.
• R values are multiplied by the ratio avgG / avgR;
• a terrain-guided mosaicing process may be implemented to guide the placement of a seam line.
• LIDAR or DEM data collected with, or analyzed from, image data may be processed to determine the configuration and shaping of images as they are mosaiced together.
• a seam line may not be a straight line - instead comprising a seam line that shifts back and forth to snake through elevated structures.
• Process 800 begins with a series 802 of one, or more, raw collected images. Images 802 are then processed through a white-balancing process 804, transforming them into a series of intermediate images. Series 802 is then processed through anti-vignetting function 806 before progressing to the orthorectification process 808. As previously noted, orthorectification may rely on position and attitude data 810 from the imaging sensor system or platform, and on DTM data 812. DTM data 812 may be developed from position data 810 and from, for example, USGS DTM data 814 or LIDAR data 816. Series 802 is now orthorectified and processing continues with color balancing 818.
• FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the processing logic according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• the processing logic accepts one or more inputs, which may include elevation measurements 1002, attitude measurements 1004 and/or photo and sensor imagery 1006.
• Certain inputs may be passed through an initial processing step prior to analysis, as is shown in block 1008, wherein the attitude measurements are combined with data from ground control points.
• Elevation measurements 1002 and attitude measurements 1004 may be combined to generate processed elevation data 1010.
• Processed elevation data 1010 may then be used to generate elevation DEM 1014 and DTM 1016.
• attitude measurements 1006 may be combined with photo and sensor imagery 1006 to generate georeferenced images 1012, which then undergo image processing 1018, which may include color balancing and gradient filtering.
• FIG. 1 1 is an illustration of a lateral oversampling pattern 1100 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention showing minimal lateral oversampling.
• the central nadir region 1102 assigned to the center camera overlaps only slightly with the left nadir region 1104 and right nadir region 1106, so that overlap is minimized.
• FIG. 12 is an illustration of a lateral oversampling pattern 1200 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention showing a greater degree of lateral oversampling.
• the central nadir region 1202 shows a high degree of overlap with left nadir region 1204 and right nadir region 1206.
• FIG. 13 is an illustration of a flight line oversampling pattern 1300 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention showing a certain degree of flight line oversampling but minimal lateral oversampling.
• Central nadir regions 1302 and 1304 are overlapped to one another along the flight line, but do not overlap laterally with left nadir regions 1306 and 1308 or with right nadir regions 1310 and 1312.
• FIG. 14 is an illustration of flight line oversampling looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention showing significant flight line oversampling as well as significant lateral oversampling. It can be seen that each of the central nadir regions 1402 through 1406 are significantly overlapped with one another as well as with left nadir regions 1408 through 1412 and right nadir regions 1414 through 1418. Left nadir regions 1408 through 1412 are overlapped with one another, as are right nadir regions 1414 through 1418. Accordingly, each point on the surface is sampled at least twice, and in some cases as many as four times.
• This technique uses the fact that in the area of an image that is covered twice, or more, by different camera sensors, a doubling of the image resolution is possible in both the lateral (across path) and flight line (along path) directions for an overall quadrupling of the resolution.
• FIG. 15 is an illustration of a progressive magnification pattern 1500 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• Central nadir region 1502 is bounded on its left and right edges by inner left nadir region 1504 and inner right nadir region 1506, respectively.
• Inner left nadir region 1504 is bounded on its left edge by outer left nadir region 1508, while inner right nadir region 1506 is bounded on its right edge by outer right nadir region 1510. Note that these regions exhibit a minimal degree of overlap and oversampling from one to another.
• FIG. 16 is an illustration of a progressive magnification pattern 1600 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• Central nadir region 1602 is bounded on its left and right edges by inner left nadir region 1604 and inner right nadir region 1606, respectively.
• Inner left nadir region 1604 is bounded on its left edge by outer left nadir region 1608, while inner right nadir region 1606 is bounded on its right edge by outer right nadir region 1610. Note that, as above, these regions exhibit a minimal degree of overlap and oversampling from one to another.
• Within each of the nadir regions 1604 through 1610 there is a central image region 1614 through 1620 shown shaded in grey.
• FIG. 17 is an illustration of a progressive magnification pattern 1700 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• a left inner nadir region 1702 and a right inner nadir region 1704 overlap in the center.
• a left intermediate nadir region 1706 and a right intermediate nadir region 1708 are disposed partly outside of regions 1702 and 1704, respectively, each sharing an overlapping area with the respective adjacent area by approximately 50%.
• An outer left nadir region 1710 and an outer right nadir region 1712 are disposed partly outside of regions 1706 and 1708, respectively, each sharing an overlapping area with the respective adjacent area by approximately 50%.
• a central image region 1714 is disposed in the center of pattern 1700, comprised of the central portions of nadir regions 1702 through 1712.
• FIG. 18 depicts a schematic of the architecture of a system 1800 according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• System 1800 may include one or more GPS satellites 1802 and one or more SATCOM satellites 1804.
• One or more GPS location systems 1806 may also be included, operably connected to one or more modules 1808 collecting LIDAR, GPS and/or X, Y, Z location data and feeding such information to one or more data capture system applications 1812.
• One or more data capture system applications 1812 may also receive spectral data from a camera array 1822.
• a DGPS 1810 may communicate with one or more SATCOM satellites 1804 via a wireless communications link 1826.
• One or more SATCOM satellites 1804 may, in turn, communicate with one or more data capture system applications 1812.
• One or more data capture system applications 1812 may interface with an autopilot 1816, an SSD and/or a RealTime StitchG system 1820, which may also interact with one another.
• SSD 1814 may be operably connected to RealTime DEM 1818.
• RealTime DEM 1818 and RealTime StitchG 1820 may be connected to a storage device, such as disk array 1824.
• FIG. 19 is an illustration of a lateral co-mounted, co-registered oversampling configuration 1900 for a single camera array 112 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention showing minimal lateral oversampling.
• the cameras overlap a few degrees in the vertical sidelap area 1904 and 1908.
• FIG. 19 depicts a 3-camera array, these subpixel calibration techniques work equally well when utilizing any number of camera sensors from 2 to any number of cameras being calibrated.
• the camera sensors may be co- registered to calibrate the physical mount angle offset of each sensor relative to each other and/or to the nadir camera. This provides an initial, "close” calibration. These initial calibration parameters may be entered into an onboard computer system 104 in the system 100, and updated during flight using oversampling techniques.
• FIG. 19 the rectangles labeled A, B, and C represent image areas 1902, 1906 and 1910 from a 3-camera array C-B-A (not shown). Images of areas 1902, 1906 and 1910 taken by cameras A through C (not shown), respectively, are illustrated from an overhead view. Again, similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, because of the "cross-eyed" arrangement, the image of area 1902 is taken by right camera A, the image of area 1906 is taken by center/nadir camera B, and the image of area 1910 is taken by left camera C. Cameras A through C form an array (not shown) that is, in most applications, pointed down vertically. [0091] In FIG.
• the hatched areas labeled A/B and B/C sidelaps represent image overlap areas 1904 and 1908, respectively.
• the left image overlap area 1904 is where right camera A overlaps with the center/nadir camera B
• the right image overlap area 1908 is where the left camera C overlaps with the center/nadir camera B.
• the camera sensor grid bisects each pixel in the overlap areas 1904 and 1908, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 1904 and 1908 via the mechanism of co-mounted, co-registered oversampling.
• this quadrupling of alignment precision between adjacent cameras improves the systems 100 alignment precision for all sensors affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• the cameras and sensors are affixed to a rigid mount unit, which is affixed to the rigid mount plate, as discussed above.
• the angular alignment of adjacent cameras affixed to the rigid mount unit is improved, the angular alignment of the other sensors is also enhanced.
• This enhancement of alignment precision for the other sensors affixed to the rigid mount plate also improves the image resolution for those sensors.
• FIG. 20 is an illustration of a lateral co-mounted, co-registered oversampling configuration 2000 for two overlapping camera arrays 112 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention showing maximum lateral oversampling.
• the adjacent cameras overlap a few degrees in the vertical sidelap areas 2006, 2008, 2014 and 2016, and the corresponding cameras overlap completely in the image areas 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2004, 2012, 2020.
• FIG. 20 depicts two 3-camera arrays, these subpixel calibration techniques work equally well when utilizing two overlapping camera arrays with any number of camera sensors from 2 to any number of cameras being calibrated.
• the camera sensors may be co- registered to calibrate the physical mount angle offset of each sensor relative to each other and/or to the nadir camera.
• multiple, i.e., at least two, rigid mount units are affixed to a rigid mount plate and are co-registered. This provides an initial, "close” calibration. These initial calibration parameters may be entered into an onboard computer system 104 in the system 100, and updated during flight.
• the rectangles labeled A, B, and C represent image areas 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2004, 2012, 2020 from two overlapping 3-camera arrays C-B-A (not shown), respectively. Images of areas 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2004, 2012, 2020 taken by cameras A through C (not shown) and overlapping cameras A' through C (not shown), respectively, are illustrated from an overhead view. Again, similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, because of the "cross-eyed" arrangement, the image of area 2002 is taken by right camera A, the image of area 2010 is taken by center/nadir camera B, and the image of area 2018 is taken by left camera C.
• the image of area 2004 is taken by right camera A'
• the image of area 2012 is taken by center camera B'
• the image of area 2020 is taken by left camera C.
• Cameras A through C and overlapping cameras A' through C form arrays (not shown) that are, in most applications, pointed down vertically.
• the hatched areas labeled A/B and B/C sidelaps represent two overlapping image overlap areas 2006, 2008 and 2014, 2016, respectively.
• the left image overlap areas 2006, 2008 is where right camera A overlaps with the center/nadir camera B, and where right camera A' overlaps with the center camera B', respectively.
• the right image overlap areas 2014 and 2016 is where the left camera C overlaps with the center/nadir camera B, and where the left camera C overlaps with the center camera B'.
• the camera sensor grid bisects each pixel in the overlap areas 2006, 2008 and 2014, 2016, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 2006, 2008 and 2014, 2016 via the mechanism of co-mounted, co-registered oversampling.
• the overlapping camera sensor grids bisects each pixel in the sidelap areas 2006 and 2008, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 2006 and 2008 via the mechanism of co-mounted, co- registered oversampling.
• the overlapping camera sensor grids bisects each pixel in the sidelap areas 2014 and 2016, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 2014 and 2016.
• This 64 times improvement of alignment precision between adjacent and corresponding cameras enhances the systems 100 alignment precision for all sensors affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• Cameras A through C and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a first rigid mount unit and cameras A' through C and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a second rigid mount unit, which are each affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• the angular alignment of adjacent and/or corresponding cameras affixed to the first and/or second rigid mount units is improved, the angular alignment of the other sensors is also enhanced.
• This enhancement of alignment precision for the other sensors affixed to the rigid mount plate also improves the image resolution for those sensors.
• the image resolution is effectively quadrupled for the entire image, not just for the A/B and B/C sidelap overlap areas.
• the overlapping grid detail labeled "OVERLAPPING GRID 4X” represents overlapping areas 2022 and 2024 in right images areas 2018 and 2020, respectively.
• the overlapping camera sensor grids bisects each pixel in the overlapping areas 2022 and 2024, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 2022 and 2024 via the mechanism of co-mounted, co- registered oversampling.
• one camera array is monochrome, and another camera array is red-green-blue. Even though each array covers different color bands, simple image processing techniques are used so that all color bands realize the benefit of this increased resolution. Another advantage provided by these techniques is that, in the case where one camera array is red-green-blue and the other, overlapping camera array is an infrared or near infrared (or some other bandwidth), which results in a superior multi-spectral image.
• FIG. 21 is an illustration of a fore and lateral co-mounted, co-registered oversampling configuration 2100 for two camera arrays 112 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is an illustration of a fore and lateral co-mounted, co-registered oversampling configuration 2100 for two camera arrays 112 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is an illustration of a fore and lateral co-mounted, co-registered oversampling configuration 2100 for two camera arrays 112 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is an illustration of a fore and lateral co-mounted, co-registered oversampling configuration 2100 for two overlapping camera arrays 112 looking down from a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention showing minimal fore and minimal lateral oversampling.
• the adjacent cameras overlap a few degrees in the vertical sidelap areas 2104, 2108, 2124 and 2128, and the corresponding cameras overlap a few degrees along the horizontal forelap areas 2112, 2116 and 2120.
• FIG. 21 depicts two 3-camera arrays, these subpixel calibration techniques work equally well when utilizing two overlapping camera arrays with any number of camera sensors from 2 to any number of cameras being calibrated.
• the camera sensors may be co- registered to calibrate the physical mount angle offset of each sensor relative to each other and/or to the nadir camera.
• multiple, i.e., at least two, rigid mount units are affixed to a rigid mount plate and are co-registered. This provides an initial, "close” calibration. These initial calibration parameters may be entered into an onboard computer system 104 in the system 100, and updated during flight.
• the rectangles labeled A, B, and C represent image areas 2102, 2106 and 2110 from a 3-camera array C-B-A (not shown), and the rectangles D, E, and F represent image areas 2122, 2126 and 2130 from a 3-camera array F-E-D (not shown), respectively. Images of areas 2102, 2106 and 2110 taken by cameras A through C (not shown), and images of areas 2122, 2126 and 2130 taken by cameras D through F (not shown), respectively, are illustrated from an overhead view. Again, similar to FIGS.
• the rear, left image of area 2102 is taken by rear, right camera A
• the rear, center image of area 2106 is taken by rear, center/nadir camera B
• the rear, right image of area 2110 is taken by rear, left camera C.
• the forward, left image of area 2122 is taken by forward, right camera D
• the forward, center image of area 2126 is taken by forward, center camera E
• the forward, right image of area 2020 is taken by forward, left camera F.
• Cameras A through C and overlapping cameras D through F form arrays (not shown) that are, in most applications, pointed down vertically.
• the vertical hatched areas represent four image overlap areas 2104, 2108, 2124 and 2128.
• the rear, left image overlap area 2104 is where rear, right camera A overlaps with the center/nadir camera B
• the rear, right image overlap area 2108 is where rear, left camera C overlaps with the center/nadir camera B.
• the forward, left image overlap area 2124 is where forward, right camera D overlaps with the center/nadir camera E
• the forward, right image overlap area 2128 is where forward, left camera F overlaps with the center camera E.
• the overlapping grid detail labeled "SIDELAP AREA 4: 1" represents overlaping sidelap overlap areas 2104, 2108 and 2124, 2128.
• the camera sensor grid bisects each pixel in the overlap areas 2104, 2108, 2124 and 2128, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 2104, 2108, 2124 and 2128 via the mechanism of co-mounted, co-registered oversampling.
• This quadrupling of alignment precision between adjacent cameras improves the systems 100 alignment precision for all sensors affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• Cameras A through C and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a first rigid mount unit and cameras D through F and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a second rigid mount unit, which are each affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• the angular alignment of adjacent cameras affixed to the first or second rigid mount units is improved, the angular alignment of the other sensors affixed to the mount unit is also enhanced.
• This enhancement of alignment precision for the other sensors affixed to the rigid mount plate also improves the image resolution for those sensors.
• the horizontal hatched areas represent three image overlap areas 2112, 2116 and 2120.
• the forward, left image overlap area 2112 is where rear, right camera A overlaps with the forward, right camera D
• forward, center image overlap area 2116 is where rear, center/nadir camera B overlaps with the forward, center camera E
• the rear, right image overlap area 2120 is where rear, left camera C overlaps with forward, left camera F.
• the overlapping grid detail labeled "FORELAP AREA 4: 1" represents overlaping forelap overlap areas 2112, 2116 and 2120.
• the camera sensor grid bisects each pixel in the overlap areas 2112, 2116 and 2120, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 2112, 2116 and 2120 via the mechanism of co-mounted, co-registered oversampling.
• This quadrupling of alignment precision between corresponding cameras improves the systems 100 alignment precision for all sensors affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• Cameras A through C and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a first rigid mount unit and cameras D through F and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a second rigid mount unit, which are each affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• the angular alignment of corresponding cameras affixed to the first or second rigid mount units is improved, the angular alignment of the other sensors is also enhanced.
• This enhancement of alignment precision for the other sensors affixed to the rigid mount plate also improves the image resolution for those sensors.
• the intersecting forelap and sidelap overlap areas 2114 and 2118 in FIG. 21 results in an astonishing overall 64 times improvement in system calibration and camera alignment.
• the intersecting grid detail labeled "QUAD OVERLAP AREA 64: 1" represents intersecting forelap and sidelap overlap area 2118.
• the overlapping camera sensor grids bisects each pixel in the intersecting areas 2114 and 2118, which effectively quadruples the image resolution in these areas 2114 and 2118 via the mechanism of co-mounted, co-registered oversampling.
• This 64 times improvement of alignment precision between adjacent and corresponding cameras enhances the systems 100 alignment precision for all sensors affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• Cameras A through C and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a first rigid mount unit and cameras D through E and, optionally, other sensors are affixed to a second rigid mount unit, which are each affixed to a rigid mount plate.
• the angular alignment of adjacent and/or corresponding cameras affixed to the first and/or second rigid mount units is improved, the angular alignment of the other sensors is also enhanced.
• This enhancement of alignment precision for the other sensors affixed to the rigid mount plate also improves the image resolution for those sensors.
• one camera array is monochrome, and another camera array is red-green-blue. Even though each array covers different color bands, simple image processing techniques are used so that all color bands realize the benefit of this increased resolution. Another advantage provided by these techniques is that, in the case where one camera array is red-green-blue and the other, overlapping camera array is an infrared or near infrared (or some other bandwidth), which results in a superior multi-spectral image.
• these techniques may be used to overcome the resolution limits imposed on camera systems due to the inability of optical glass to resolve "very small” objects.
• the resolving limit of glass For example, if 1 millimeter pixels are required from 10,000 feet of altitude, the use of an extremely high magnification telescopic lens would be required to obtain a ground swath of about 100 feet. This is because no matter how many pixels can be produced by a charged-coupled device sensor (e.g., 1 billion pixels), the resolving power of the purest glass would not permit image resolution to 1 millimeter pixels at 10,000 feet of altitude. This example is used to make the point that there are physical limits for pixel resolution in glass as well as pixel density limits for an imaging sensor.
• the systems 100 imaging sensor alignment in the rigid mount unit(s) affixed to the rigid mount plate and related calibration techniques provide a unique solution to this problem, as described above.
• the resolving limitations of glass can effectively be overcome.
• a single camera array results in 1 times (or no) oversampling benefits.
• two overlapping camera arrays results in 4 times overall improvement in both image resolution and overall geospatial horizontal and vertical accuracy.
• three overlapping camera arrays results in 16 times overall improvement
• four overlapping camera arrays results in 64 times overall improvement, and so on.
• N is the number of overlapping camera arrays.
• subpixel calibration techniques may be combined with the self- locking flight path techniques, as disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2004/0054488A1 , now U.S. Patent No. 7,212,938B2, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in full.
• the present invention may also employ flight line oversampling as well to further improve the image resolution, as shown in FIGS. 13-17.
• the flight lines overlap each other in an image region because each flight line is parallel to one another. These overlapping image regions may be used to calibrate the sensors by along- track and cross-track parallax of images in adjacent flight lines using stereographic techniques.
• the self-locking flight path may comprise any pattern that produces at least three substantially parallel travel lines out of a group of three or more travel lines. Further, at least one of the travel lines should be in an opposing direction to the other substantially parallel travel lines.
• the travel pattern comprises at least one pair of travel lines in a matching direction and at least one pair of travel lines in an opposing direction.
• the self-locking flight path technique includes an algorithm to significantly reduce these positional errors. This reduction in positional errors is especially important in the outside, or far left and far right "wing" image areas where the greatest positional errors occur.
• these positional improvements may be realized by using a pattern matching technique to automatically match a pixel pattern area obtained from a flight line (e.g., North/South) with the same pixel pattern area obtained from an adjacent flight line (e.g., North/South).
• a pattern matching technique to automatically match a pixel pattern area obtained from a flight line (e.g., North/South) with the same pixel pattern area obtained from an adjacent flight line (e.g., North/South).
• the latitude/longitude coordinates from one or more GPS location systems may be used to accelerate this pattern matching process.
• these subpixel calibration and self-locking flight path techniques may be combined with stereographic techniques because stereographic techniques rely heavily on the positional accuracy of each pixel relative to all other pixels.
• these techniques improve the stereographic image resolution and overall geospatial horizontal and vertical accuracy, especially, in the far left and far right "wing" image areas, where the greatest positional errors occur.
• stereographic techniques are used to match known elevation data with the improved stereographic datasets. Accordingly, the combined subpixel calibration, self-locking flight path and stereographic techniques provide a greatly improved Digital Elevation Model, which results in superior image.
• these subpixel calibration and self-locking flight path techniques may be used to provide a dynamic, RealTime calibration of the system 100.
• these techniques provide the ability to rapidly "roll on” one or more camera array assemblies 112 onto the system 100, to immediately begin collecting image data of a target area and to quickly produce high-quality images because the individual sensors have been initially calibrated in the rigid mount unit(s) affixed to the rigid mount plate, as discussed above.
• the camera sensors are co-registered to calibrate the physical mount angle offset of each sensor relative to each other and/or to the nadir camera.
• multiple, i.e., at least two, rigid mount units are affixed to a rigid mount plate and are co-registered. This provides an initial, "close” calibration.
• These initial calibration parameters may be entered into an onboard computer system 104 in the system 100, and updated during flight using oversampling techniques, as discussed above.
• the system 100 comprises a RealTime, self-calibrating system to update the calibration parameters.
• the onboard computer 104 software comprises a RealTime software "daemon" (i.e., a background closed-loop monitoring software) to constantly monitor and update the calibration parameters using the co-mounted, co-registered oversampling and flight line oversampling techniques, as discussed above.
• the RealTime daemon combines subpixel calibration, self-locking flight path and stereographic techniques to improve the stereographic image resolution and overall geospatial horizontal and vertical accuracy.
• stereographic techniques are used to match known elevation data to the improved stereographic datasets.
• modules, algorithms and processes described above can be implemented in a number of technologies and configurations.
• Embodiments of the present invention may comprise functional instances of software or hardware, or combinations thereof.
• the modules and processes of the present invention may be combined together in a single functional instance (e.g., one software program), or may comprise operatively associated separate functional devices (e.g., multiple networked processor/memory blocks). All such implementations are comprehended by the present invention.

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