IMAGE ORIENTATION CORRECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20090040308A1
• Filed: 01/15/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optech Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Optech Ventures, LLC
• Inventors: Temovskiy, Igor
• Application Number:
  US11/623,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20090040308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/158
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/16 Sighting devices adapted for indirect laying of fire
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0068 having means for controlling the degree of correction, e.g. using phase modulators, movable elements controlling the phase of light using moving or deformable elements G02B26/06

Abstract

A system for correcting the rotational orientation of a targeting area provided by a weapon-mounted image sensor and an orientation sensor that detects the rotational orientation of the weapon. Measurements from the orientation sensor are used to transform the image data obtained from the image sensor into a desired rotational orientation. The transformed image data can then be displayed on a display in an orientation where objects having a vertical extent are displayed generally vertically.

Claims

1. A weapon system comprising:

an image sensor mechanically coupled to a weapon, wherein the image sensor has an imaging axis such that the direction of firing of the weapon is in the field of view of the image sensor and providing image data comprising one or more images or video of a targeting area of the weapon;

a first orientation sensor mechanically coupled to the weapon or the image sensor, wherein the first orientation sensor is disposed to detect a rotational orientation of the imaging axis;

one or more processors operative to receive image data from the image sensor and to receive rotational orientation data from the first orientation sensor, wherein the one or more processors are configured to modify an image orientation of the image data based on the received rotational orientation data to provide modified image data; and

a display configured to display the modified image data to a user,

whereby the targeting area of the weapon is displayed to the user with a rotational orientation correction that provides a display of the targeting area of the weapon with a rotational orientation substantially equivalent to a selected coordinate system.

2. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a display enabled to be in front of one or both of the user'"'"'s eyes and the weapon system further comprises a second orientation sensor disposed to detect a rotational orientation of the display and wherein the one or more processors are configured to further modify the image orientation of the image data based on the detected rotational orientation of the display, whereby the display of the targeting area to the user has a rotational correction that compensates for any tilt of the display.

3. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the selected coordinate system can be a world coordinate system or a main coordinate system

4. The weapon system of claim 1 wherein the image sensor comprises a CCD camera, a CMOS camera, or a tube-based camera.

5. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the first orientation sensor comprises a sensor that is enabled to measure deviation from the upright direction.

6. The weapon system of claim 5 wherein the sensor comprises an inclinometer or a gyroscope or a magnetometer or a combination thereof.

7. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein targeting area of the weapon is displayed as a smaller picture within a larger picture shown on the display.

9. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor has an adjustable or fixed zoom capability.

8. The weapon system of claim 76, wherein the targeting area of the weapon depicted in the smaller picture is substantially overlaid on the same depicted area in the larger picture.

10. A method for observing a target area of a weapon comprising:

obtaining image data from an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is coupled to the weapon and oriented to provide image data comprising one or more images or video of a targeting area of the weapon;

measuring a rotational orientation of the image sensor;

modifying the image data based on the measured rotational orientation;

displaying the modified image data to a user,

whereby the targeting area of the weapon is displayed to the user with a rotational orientation correction that provides a display of the targeting area of the weapon with a rotational orientation substantially equivalent to a selected coordinate system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the display is removably affixed to the user and the method further comprises:

measuring a rotational orientation of the display; and

further modifying the image data based on the measured orientation of the display, whereby the display of the targeting area to the user has a rotational correction that compensates for any head tilt by the user.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein measuring an orientation of the first carrying structure comprises measuring an orientation of the weapon with respect to the force of gravity and/or with respect to the earth'"'"'s magnetic field.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the modified image data is displayed as a smaller picture within a larger picture.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the targeting area depicted in the smaller picture is substantially overlaid on the same depicted area in the larger picture.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

calculating rotational orientation data based on the measured rotational orientation;

obtaining a digital representation of the modified image data; and

merging the calculated rotational orientation data with the digital representation of the modified image data to provide a digital data stream.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising sending the digital data stream to one or more remote observers.

17. An image correction system comprising:

means for capturing an image;

means for measuring an orientation of the image; and

means for correcting the orientation of the image based on the measured orientation, wherein the means for correcting provides corrected image data.

18. The image correction system of claim 17, wherein the means for measuring the orientation of the image measures the rotational orientation around an imaging axis of the image.

19. The image correction system of claim 17, wherein a corrected orientation for the image is specified and the system further comprises means for displaying the corrected image data.

20. The image correction system of claim 17 further comprising means for measuring an orientation of a carrying structure and wherein the means for correcting provides corrected image data based on the measured orientation of the image and the measured orientation of the carrying structure.

21. The image correction system of claim 20 further comprising a means for displaying, wherein the means for displaying is coupled to the carrying structure and the means for measuring the orientation of the carrying structure measures the orientation of the means for displaying.