Event Multiplexer For Managing The Capture of Images

• US 20080204570A1
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pictometry International Corporation (Eagleview Technologies, Inc. /Wa/)
• Original Assignee: Pictometry International Corporation (Eagleview Technologies, Inc. /Wa/)
• Inventors: Giuffrida, Frank, Schultz, Stephen, Kusak, Matt
• Granted Patent: US 8,520,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/02 Picture taking arrangements specially adapted for photogrammetry or photographic surveying, e.g. controlling overlapping of pictures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

An image capture system for capturing images of an object, such as the Earth. The image capture system includes a moving platform, at least two image capture devices, a position system, an event multiplexer and a computer system. The image capture devices are mounted to the moving platform. Each image capture device has a sensor for capturing an image and an event channel providing an event signal indicating the capturing of an image by the sensor. The position system records data indicative of a position as a function of time related to the moving platform. The event multiplexer has at least two image capture inputs and at least one output port. Each image capture input receives event signals from the event channel of one of the image capture devices. The event multiplexer outputs information indicative of an order of events indicated by the event signals, and identification of image capture devices providing the event signals. The computer system receives and stores the information indicative of the order of events indicated by the event signals, and identification of image capture devices providing the event signals.

Claims

1. An image capture system for capturing images of an object, the image capture system comprising:

a moving platform;

at least two image capture devices mounted to the moving platform, each image capture device having a sensor for capturing an image and an event channel providing an event signal indicating the capturing of an image by the sensor;

a monitoring system recording data indicative of a position and orientation as a function of time related to the moving platform;

an event multiplexer having an image capture input and at least one output port, each image capture input receiving event signals from the event channel of one of the image capture devices, the event multiplexer outputting information correlating the data indicative of position and orientation as a function of time with particular captured images; and

a computer system receiving and storing the information.

2. The image capture system of claim 1, wherein the information stored by the computer system includes a sequential order of events based upon the order in which the event signals are received by the event multiplexer.

3. The image capture system of claim 2, wherein the event multiplexer comprises a first-in-first out-register storing the event signals.

4. The image capture system of claim 1, wherein the event multiplexer comprises a quasi-Xor gate having inputs forming the image capture inputs, and an output forming one of the at least one output port.

5. The image capture system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system includes an input port receiving event signals from the output port of the event multiplexer, and wherein the monitoring system records data indicative of the time at which the event signal was received.

6. The image capture system of claim 5, wherein the computer system stores the data indicative of the time at which the event signal was received by the monitoring system and a camera ID identifying the image capture device from which the event signal was received.

7. The image capture system of claim 1, wherein the information output by the event multiplexer includes absolute time data.

8. The image capture system of claim 1, wherein the information output by the event multiplexer includes relative time data.

9. The image capture system of claim 2, wherein the computer system correlates the information indicative of the order of events indicated by the event signals, and identification of image capture devices providing the event signals to identify particular captured images.

10. The image capture system of claim 1, wherein the at least two image capture devices include at least three image capture devices mounted to a common substrate.

11. The image capture system of claim 1, wherein the at least two image capture devices include at least five image capture devices mounted to point fore, aft, port, starboard and straight down.

12. An image capture system for capturing images of an object, the image capture system comprising:

at least two image capture devices, each image capture device having a sensor for capturing an image and an output port providing an event signal indicating the capturing of an image by the sensor;

a monitoring system recording data based upon the capturing of images;

an event multiplexer having at least two image capture inputs and at least one output port, each image capture input receiving event signals from the output port of one of the image capture devices, the event multiplexer outputting information correlating the data recorded by the monitoring system with particular captured images; and

a data storage unit storing the information.

13. The image capture system of claim 12, wherein the data storage unit is integrated within one of the image capture devices.

14. The image capture system of claim 12, wherein the at least two image capture devices include at least three image capture devices mounted to a common substrate.

15. The image capture system of claim 12, wherein the at least two image capture devices include at least five image capture devices mounted to point fore, aft, port, starboard and straight down.