Aerial survey image capture system
First Claim
1. An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft navigable using navigation parameters that include altitude, speed and direction, the system comprising:
- a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft as the survey aircraft travels on a defined flight path;
the camera system having associated camera parameters indicative of image capture characteristics of the camera system including defined image overlap between captured images;
the defined flight path and the camera parameters being such that sufficient multiple images are obtained of ground features that a bundle adjustment process can be carried out on the ground images and a photogrammetric solution produced based on the images;
the aerial survey image capture system comprising;
a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft;
the LOS avoidance system arranged to;
receive information indicative of the location and movement of the survey aircraft and to receive information indicative of the location and movement of a nearby aircraft in the vicinity of the survey aircraft;
determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on the received information indicative of the location and movement of the survey aircraft and the information indicative of the location and movement of the nearby aircraft;
compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a loss of separation (LOS); and
determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft that is required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance; and
a camera parameter modifier arranged to produce modified camera system parameters in response to the estimated at least one navigation parameter, the modified camera system parameters modifying characteristics of image capture by the camera system so as to substantially maintain the defined image overlap between captured images and thereby at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft without modifying the defined flight path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft is disclosed. The system comprises a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft. The camera system has associated camera parameters, and a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft. The LOS avoidance system is arranged to determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on their locations and movements, compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a LOS, and determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance. The system is further arranged to modify camera system parameters so as to at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft.
32 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft navigable using navigation parameters that include altitude, speed and direction, the system comprising:
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a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft as the survey aircraft travels on a defined flight path; the camera system having associated camera parameters indicative of image capture characteristics of the camera system including defined image overlap between captured images; the defined flight path and the camera parameters being such that sufficient multiple images are obtained of ground features that a bundle adjustment process can be carried out on the ground images and a photogrammetric solution produced based on the images; the aerial survey image capture system comprising; a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft; the LOS avoidance system arranged to; receive information indicative of the location and movement of the survey aircraft and to receive information indicative of the location and movement of a nearby aircraft in the vicinity of the survey aircraft; determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on the received information indicative of the location and movement of the survey aircraft and the information indicative of the location and movement of the nearby aircraft; compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a loss of separation (LOS); and determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft that is required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance; and a camera parameter modifier arranged to produce modified camera system parameters in response to the estimated at least one navigation parameter, the modified camera system parameters modifying characteristics of image capture by the camera system so as to substantially maintain the defined image overlap between captured images and thereby at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft without modifying the defined flight path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of capturing aerial survey images in a survey aircraft navigable using navigation parameters that include altitude, speed and direction, the method comprising:
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capturing successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft as the survey aircraft travels on a defined flight path using a camera system, the camera system having associated camera parameters indicative of image capture characteristics of the camera system including defined image overlap between captured images, the defined flight path and the camera parameters being such that sufficient multiple images are obtained of ground features that a bundle adjustment process can be carried out on the ground images and a photogrammetric solution produced based on the images; receiving information indicative of the location and movement of the survey aircraft; receiving information indicative of the location and movement of a nearby aircraft in the vicinity of the survey aircraft; determining a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on the received information indicative of the location and movement of the survey aircraft and the information indicative of the location and movement of the nearby aircraft; comparing the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a loss of separation (LOS); if the CPA distance is less than the defined minimum separation distance, determining an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft that is required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance; and producing modified camera system parameters in response to the estimated at least one navigation parameter, the modified camera system parameters modifying characteristics of image capture by the camera system so as to substantially maintain the defined image overlap between captured images and thereby at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft without modifying the defined flight path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification