WO1996038978A1 - A device for the stabilized reproduction of an image - Google Patents

A device for the stabilized reproduction of an image Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996038978A1
WO1996038978A1 PCT/SE1996/000690 SE9600690W WO9638978A1 WO 1996038978 A1 WO1996038978 A1 WO 1996038978A1 SE 9600690 W SE9600690 W SE 9600690W WO 9638978 A1 WO9638978 A1 WO 9638978A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
elevation
azimuth
video signal
correction
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1996/000690
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jens Einarsson
Original Assignee
Saab Dynamics Aktiebolag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Saab Dynamics Aktiebolag filed Critical Saab Dynamics Aktiebolag
Priority to AU60198/96A priority Critical patent/AU6019896A/en
Publication of WO1996038978A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996038978A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
    • G01S3/78—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • G01S3/782—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
    • G01S3/785—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system
    • G01S3/786—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
    • G01S3/7864—T.V. type tracking systems
    • G01S3/7865—T.V. type tracking systems using correlation of the live video image with a stored image
    • 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
    • H04N23/68—Control of cameras or camera modules for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
    • 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
    • H04N23/68—Control of cameras or camera modules for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
    • H04N23/681—Motion detection
    • H04N23/6811—Motion detection based on the image signal
    • 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
    • H04N23/68—Control of cameras or camera modules for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
    • H04N23/682—Vibration or motion blur correction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device, comprising a video camera for visible or infrared light, which outputs a first video signal and is mounted on a platform by means of a first motor rotatable in azimuth and a second motor rotatable in elevation, and further comprising a control stick for manual control by means of a first unit for control in azimuth and elevation of said platform, and a display device for reproduction of an image obtained from the first video signal.
  • Such devices are used in aircraft, in particular military vehicles and especially in helicopters. These vehicles normally move in the swinging up and down * direction and lateral direction with amplitudes large enough to interfere with the image reproduction. If the field of vision of the video camera is small, the movement of the aircraft can become larger than the field of vision and the scenery at which the operator desires to look can be lost. Furthermore, the rotor of the helicopter produces vibrations having a high frequency which interfere with the resolution of the video signal. Using prior available devices of this kind it has been difficult to obtain an effective stabilisation only by influencing the image information.
  • the object of the invention is hence to provide a device of the kind mentioned in the introduction, by means of which an optimal stabilisation of the reproduced image can take place both at high frequency interference having a low amplitude and low frequency interference having a large amplitude.
  • such a device is primarily characterized by a second unit, to which said first video signal is provided, comprising at least a first memory, for detection of the difference in azimuth and elevation between two successive images obtained from the first video signal, and a third unit for image correction, the second unit being arranged to retransmit the first video signal and a first correction signal to the third unit for a stabilizing image correction in azimuth and elevation, and to transmit a second correction signal to the first unit for a stabilizing control of the platform in azimuth and elevation, a fou ⁇ h unit being arranged to optionally make, when so commanded, the first correction signal and/or the second correction signal act on the third unit and the first unit, respectively.
  • advantages comprising a lower price, a simple integration and that stabilisation can be performed even if objects at short distances are looked at, in comparison with gyro-controlled systems.
  • a video camera is denoted 1, mounted on a platform 3, which is rotatable in azimuth and elevation respectively by means of a first and second motor.
  • a control stick 4 is arranged to act by means of signals 16 and 17 on a first unit 5 for controlling the platform 3 in azimuth and elevation via signals 18 and 19.
  • the video camera 1 outputs a first video signal 2, which is sent to a second unit 7 for detecting the difference in azimuth and elevation between two successive images obtained from the first video signal.
  • the second unit 7 retransmits the first video signal 2 and a first correction signal 9 to a third unit 8 for a stabilizing image correction in azimuth and elevation and transmits a corrected second video signal 12 to a display device 6.
  • the second and third units 7 and 8 together form a correlation means that in itself is known.
  • the second unit 7 also transmits a second correction signal 10 to the first unit 5 for a stabilizing control of the platform in azimuth and elevation.
  • a fourth unit 11 is arranged to act, when commanded from the control stick 4, on the first unit 5 and the third unit 8 respectively by means of a mode selection signal 13 so that the first correction signal 9 and/or the second correction signal 10 act(s) on the third unit 8 and the first unit 5 respectively by means of signals 14 and 15.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
  • Transforming Light Signals Into Electric Signals (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A device for stabilized image reproduction is described. It comprises a video camera (1) for visible or infrared light, which outputs a first video signal (2) and is mounted on a platform (3) by means of a first motor rotatable in azimuth and a second motor rotatable in elevation. Moreover, the device comprises a control stick (4) for manual control by means of a first unit (5), for controlling said platform in azimuth and elevation, and a display device (6) for reproduction of an image obtained from the first video signal. The device is in particular characterized by a second unit (7), to which said first video signal is provided, comprising at least a first memory for detection of the difference in azimuth and elevation between successive images obtained from the first video signal (2), and further by a third unit (8) for image correction. The second unit (7) is arranged to retransmit the first video signal (2) and a first correction signal (9) to the third unit (8) for a stabilizing image correction in azimuth and elevation, and to transmit a second correction signal (10) to the first unit (5) for a stabilizing control of the platform (3) in azimuth and in elevation. A fourth unit (11) is arranged to optionally make, when so commanded, the first correction signal (9) and/or the second correction signal (10) act on the third unit (8) and the first unit (5) respectively.

Description

A DEVICE FOR THE STABILIZED REPRODUCTION OF AN IMAGE
The present invention relates to a device, comprising a video camera for visible or infrared light, which outputs a first video signal and is mounted on a platform by means of a first motor rotatable in azimuth and a second motor rotatable in elevation, and further comprising a control stick for manual control by means of a first unit for control in azimuth and elevation of said platform, and a display device for reproduction of an image obtained from the first video signal.
Such devices are used in aircraft, in particular military vehicles and especially in helicopters. These vehicles normally move in the swinging up and down* direction and lateral direction with amplitudes large enough to interfere with the image reproduction. If the field of vision of the video camera is small, the movement of the aircraft can become larger than the field of vision and the scenery at which the operator desires to look can be lost. Furthermore, the rotor of the helicopter produces vibrations having a high frequency which interfere with the resolution of the video signal. Using prior available devices of this kind it has been difficult to obtain an effective stabilisation only by influencing the image information. The object of the invention is hence to provide a device of the kind mentioned in the introduction, by means of which an optimal stabilisation of the reproduced image can take place both at high frequency interference having a low amplitude and low frequency interference having a large amplitude.
According to the invention such a device is primarily characterized by a second unit, to which said first video signal is provided, comprising at least a first memory, for detection of the difference in azimuth and elevation between two successive images obtained from the first video signal, and a third unit for image correction, the second unit being arranged to retransmit the first video signal and a first correction signal to the third unit for a stabilizing image correction in azimuth and elevation, and to transmit a second correction signal to the first unit for a stabilizing control of the platform in azimuth and elevation, a fouπh unit being arranged to optionally make, when so commanded, the first correction signal and/or the second correction signal act on the third unit and the first unit, respectively.
Using the device according to the invention advantages are obtained comprising a lower price, a simple integration and that stabilisation can be performed even if objects at short distances are looked at, in comparison with gyro-controlled systems.
Within the scope of the invention there are of course several more or less advanced embodiments, according to what is required from the device. In the following an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying figure 1, which shows a diagram of a device according to the invention.
In the figure, a video camera is denoted 1, mounted on a platform 3, which is rotatable in azimuth and elevation respectively by means of a first and second motor. A control stick 4 is arranged to act by means of signals 16 and 17 on a first unit 5 for controlling the platform 3 in azimuth and elevation via signals 18 and 19. The video camera 1 outputs a first video signal 2, which is sent to a second unit 7 for detecting the difference in azimuth and elevation between two successive images obtained from the first video signal. The second unit 7 retransmits the first video signal 2 and a first correction signal 9 to a third unit 8 for a stabilizing image correction in azimuth and elevation and transmits a corrected second video signal 12 to a display device 6. The second and third units 7 and 8 together form a correlation means that in itself is known. The second unit 7 also transmits a second correction signal 10 to the first unit 5 for a stabilizing control of the platform in azimuth and elevation. A fourth unit 11 is arranged to act, when commanded from the control stick 4, on the first unit 5 and the third unit 8 respectively by means of a mode selection signal 13 so that the first correction signal 9 and/or the second correction signal 10 act(s) on the third unit 8 and the first unit 5 respectively by means of signals 14 and 15. By activation of the control stick one can hence both control the platform, so that the video camera is directed as desired, and one can select the mode, i.e. either only to use a stabilization of the platform 3 or only a stabilization of the very image, or a combination of both. Thereby the stabilization of the image can be optimized.

Claims

A device, comprising:
- a video camera (1), for visible or infrared light, which provides a first video signal (2) and is mounted on a platform (3) by means of a first motor which is rotatable in azimutli and a second motor which rotatable in elevation,
- a control stick (4) for manual control by means of a first unit (5), for controlling said plat¬ form (3) in azimuth and elevation,
- a display device (6) for reproduction of an image obtained from the first video signal (2), characterized by
- a second unit (7), to which said first video signal (2) is provided, comprising at least a first memory for detecting the difference in azimuth and elevation between two successive images obtained from the first video signal (2),
- a third unit (8) for image correction, the second unit (7) being arranged to retransmit the first video signal (2) and a first correction signal (9) to the third unit (8) for a stabilizing image correction in azimuth and elevation, and to transmit a second correction signal (10) to the first unit (5) for a stabilizing control of the platform (3) in azimuth and elevation, a fourth unit (11) being arranged to optionally make, when so commanded, the first correction signal (9) and/or the second correction signal (10) act on the third unit (8) and the first unit (5) respectively.
PCT/SE1996/000690 1995-06-02 1996-05-28 A device for the stabilized reproduction of an image WO1996038978A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU60198/96A AU6019896A (en) 1995-06-02 1996-05-28 A device for the stabilized reproduction of an image

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9502049-1 1995-06-02
SE9502049A SE504329C2 (en) 1995-06-02 1995-06-02 Device for stabilized image reproduction

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996038978A1 true WO1996038978A1 (en) 1996-12-05

Family

ID=20398518

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1996/000690 WO1996038978A1 (en) 1995-06-02 1996-05-28 A device for the stabilized reproduction of an image

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6019896A (en)
SE (1) SE504329C2 (en)
WO (1) WO1996038978A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2330266A (en) * 1997-10-10 1999-04-14 Harlequin Group Limited The Generating camera image data for an image processing system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0473462A2 (en) * 1990-08-31 1992-03-04 Victor Company Of Japan, Ltd. Imaging device with automatic focusing function
EP0481230A2 (en) * 1990-10-18 1992-04-22 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Camera shake correction system
EP0574228A1 (en) * 1992-06-09 1993-12-15 Sony Corporation Image stabiliser for video camera

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0473462A2 (en) * 1990-08-31 1992-03-04 Victor Company Of Japan, Ltd. Imaging device with automatic focusing function
EP0481230A2 (en) * 1990-10-18 1992-04-22 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Camera shake correction system
EP0574228A1 (en) * 1992-06-09 1993-12-15 Sony Corporation Image stabiliser for video camera

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2330266A (en) * 1997-10-10 1999-04-14 Harlequin Group Limited The Generating camera image data for an image processing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE504329C2 (en) 1997-01-13
SE9502049D0 (en) 1995-06-02
SE9502049L (en) 1996-12-03
AU6019896A (en) 1996-12-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2004301360B2 (en) Method and apparatus for video on demand
US6903676B1 (en) Integrated radar, optical surveillance, and sighting system
US4218702A (en) Means for remote control of an aircraft video system for surveying ground activity
US5574443A (en) Vehicle monitoring apparatus with broadly and reliably rearward viewing
AU618402B2 (en) Surveillance sensor
JP3187495B2 (en) Optical space transmission equipment
CA2145195A1 (en) Complementary threat sensor data fusion method and apparatus
JP4499600B2 (en) Unmanned helicopter image transmission device
US4786912A (en) Antenna stabilization and enhancement by rotation of antenna feed
CA2047898A1 (en) Beam scan velocity modulation apparatus with disabling circuit
CA2075409A1 (en) Radar apparatus
WO2001003437B1 (en) Wireless aircraft data system
WO1996038978A1 (en) A device for the stabilized reproduction of an image
GB2186148A (en) An aircraft surveillance system
KR101280272B1 (en) System for target designation and/or illumination and for air reconnaissance
US6227495B1 (en) Synchronized autonomous docking system
US5221985A (en) Optical communication system
JPH07191123A (en) Tracking system
JPH07321534A (en) Antenna system
JPS63296502A (en) Antenna direction system
EP0190302B1 (en) Information display
JP3128920B2 (en) Optical space transmission equipment
JP2712420B2 (en) Optical space transmission equipment
GB2095950A (en) Surveillance
Bradley et al. Technology test bed: an example of reliable and adaptable UGVs utilizing real-time processing and nested distributed control

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CZ NO

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase