Camera systems

• US 20020054223A1
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ROKE Manor Research Limited (Chemring Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: ROKE Manor Research Limited (Chemring Group PLC)
• Inventors: Spriggs, Timothy John
• Application Number:
  US09/950,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20020054223A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.99
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/00 Photogrammetry or videogrammetry, e.g. stereogrammetry; Photographic surveying
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00323 with a measuring, monitoring or signaling apparatus, e.g. for transmitting measured information to a central location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3253 Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

A camera system, comprising a digital camera, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver or the like which serves accurately to identify the position of the digital camera in at least two horizontal co-ordinate dimensions, and a data store for a digital camera image produced, wherein the digital image stored is annotated or labelled with data identifying camera position at the time of image capture.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising a digital camera, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver or the like which serves accurately to identify the position of the digital camera in at least two horizontal dimensions, and a data store for a digital camera image produced, wherein the digital image stored is annotated or labelled with data identifying camera position at the time of image capture.

2. A camera system as claimed in claim 1, suitable for airborne use, comprising a digital camera, a GPS receiver or the like which serves accurately to identify the position of the digital camera in at least two horizontal co-ordinate dimensions, camera altitude determination means, and a data store for a digital camera image produced, wherein the digital image stored is annotated or labelled with;

GPS data identifying camera position at the time of image capture, and;

data appertaining to camera altitude above ground at the time of image capture by the digital camera.

3. A camera system as claimed in claim 2, suitable for airborne use, comprising a digital camera, a GPS receiver or the like which serves accurately to identify the position of the digital camera in at least two horizontal co-ordinate dimensions, a camera attitude determinator which serves to provide data appertaining to camera view angle, in elevation and azimuth, camera altitude determination means, and a data store for a digital camera image produced, wherein the digital image stored is annotated or labelled with;

data identifying camera position at the time of image capture;

data appertaining to camera attitude in elevation and azimuth at the time of image capture, and;

data appertaining to camera altitude above ground at the time of image capture by the digital camera.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2, or claim 3, wherein the GPS receiver serves to identify the position of the digital camera in three dimensions so as to provide the data appertaining to camera altitude above ground at the time of image capture by the digital camera.

5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the data store comprises a multi-image store with capacity for a plurality of images, each appropriately labelled, which are arranged to be down-loaded as required for subsequent processing.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the multi-image store comprises a storage device for the said plurality of images which is adapted for removal from the camera system.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a clock which serves to provide time data for time labelling images produced by the digital camera.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A cartographic map up-dating system comprising a camera system as claimed in any preceding claim for producing a current digital image, which is scaled as necessary and overlaid on a pre-existing similar map or chart, thereby to up-date it.