High-resolution panoramic television surveillance system with synoptic wide-angle field of view
First Claim
1. A high-resolution panoramic television surveillance system having a wide-angle synoptic field of view and comprising an image-sensing station, wherein said image-sensing station comprisesa) imaging-sensor means for collecting a "live" television-like synoptic panoramic surveillance image, having a line-format field of view,b) means for effecting rotation of said imaging-sensor means about an azimuthal scan-rotation axis at a predetermined angular rate whereby image data is continuously collected from a synoptic wide-angle unobstructed panoramic field, andc) image-data delivery means for continuously delivering said image data from said image-sensing station,wherein said data delivery means comprisesd) rotary-joint data-transmission means for effecting data transmission between a rotatable portion of said image-sensing station and a non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, wherein said rotary-joint data-transmission means comprises a rotary-joint data link selected from among the group consisting of:
- i) an optical-waveband electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises;
an optical-waveband signal transmitter and beam-forming optics mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, said optical-waveband signal transmitter for transmitting a single optical-waveband beam of light which contains an optical-waveband signal which contains said image data andsaid beam-forming optics being responsive to said optical-waveband beam for propagating said optical-waveband signal; and
an optical-waveband receiver comprising beam-collecting optics mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station for receiving said optical-waveband beam of light which contains said optical signal;
ii) an optical-fiber electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises a single linear optical-fiber structure comprising two co-aligned lengths of fiber-optic cable whereby;
an optical-waveband signal transmitter and said first length of fiber-optic cable coupled to said optical-waveband signal transmitter and mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station transmits a single optical-waveband beam of light which contains an optical-waveband signal which contains said image data through said first length of fiber-optic cable; and
an optical-waveband receiver and said second length of fiber-optic cable optically coupled to said optical-waveband receiver andmounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station receives said optical-waveband signal;
iii) a radio-frequency electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises;
a radio-frequency signal transmitter and a beam-forming antenna mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, said radio-frequency signal transmitter transmits a single radio-frequency electromagnetic power beam which contains a radio-frequency signal which contains said image data and said beam-forming antenna being responsive to said radio-frequency electromagnetic power propagates said radio-frequency electromagnetic power; and
a radio-frequency receiver comprising a beam-collecting antenna mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station for receiving said transmitted radio-frequency electromagnetic power beam which contains said radio-frequency signal;
iv) an electrically conducting rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear electrical-conductor path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises a coaxial electrical cable comprising two co-aligned lengths whereby said first length of electrical coaxial cable mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station transmits a wideband electrical signal which contains said image data;
concentric contained volumes of high-electrical-conductivity fluid in electrical contact with said first length of electrical coaxial cable and responsive to said wideband electrical signal propagate said wideband electrical signal; and
a second length of electrical coaxial cable mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station and in electrical contact with said concentric contained volumes of high-electrical-conductivity fluid receives said wideband electrical signal.
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Abstract
A panoramic television surveillance system includes an image-sensing station having an imaging sensor with a line-format field of view mounted on a platform rotatable about an azimuthal scan-rotational axis. The imaging sensor collects a "live" television-like panoramic synoptic surveillance image of the full panoramic wide-angle field. The image data is delivered by an image-data-delivery line, which incorporates a rotary-joint data link, to an image-monitoring station. The image-monitoring station includes an image-data-processor, display-buffer-storage, and a synoptic panoramic wide-angle array of visual monitor displays to permit continuous synoptic evaluation of the full panoramic scene, up to 360° wide, at an observer-personnel position. Alternatively, the image-monitoring station includes the image-data processor and an image-data recorder for continuous recording of the image data for off-line evaluation.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A high-resolution panoramic television surveillance system having a wide-angle synoptic field of view and comprising an image-sensing station, wherein said image-sensing station comprises
a) imaging-sensor means for collecting a "live" television-like synoptic panoramic surveillance image, having a line-format field of view, b) means for effecting rotation of said imaging-sensor means about an azimuthal scan-rotation axis at a predetermined angular rate whereby image data is continuously collected from a synoptic wide-angle unobstructed panoramic field, and c) image-data delivery means for continuously delivering said image data from said image-sensing station, wherein said data delivery means comprises d) rotary-joint data-transmission means for effecting data transmission between a rotatable portion of said image-sensing station and a non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, wherein said rotary-joint data-transmission means comprises a rotary-joint data link selected from among the group consisting of: -
i) an optical-waveband electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises; an optical-waveband signal transmitter and beam-forming optics mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, said optical-waveband signal transmitter for transmitting a single optical-waveband beam of light which contains an optical-waveband signal which contains said image data and said beam-forming optics being responsive to said optical-waveband beam for propagating said optical-waveband signal; and
an optical-waveband receiver comprising beam-collecting optics mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station for receiving said optical-waveband beam of light which contains said optical signal;ii) an optical-fiber electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises a single linear optical-fiber structure comprising two co-aligned lengths of fiber-optic cable whereby; an optical-waveband signal transmitter and said first length of fiber-optic cable coupled to said optical-waveband signal transmitter and mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station transmits a single optical-waveband beam of light which contains an optical-waveband signal which contains said image data through said first length of fiber-optic cable; and
an optical-waveband receiver and said second length of fiber-optic cable optically coupled to said optical-waveband receiver andmounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station receives said optical-waveband signal; iii) a radio-frequency electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises; a radio-frequency signal transmitter and a beam-forming antenna mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, said radio-frequency signal transmitter transmits a single radio-frequency electromagnetic power beam which contains a radio-frequency signal which contains said image data and said beam-forming antenna being responsive to said radio-frequency electromagnetic power propagates said radio-frequency electromagnetic power; and
a radio-frequency receiver comprising a beam-collecting antenna mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station for receiving said transmitted radio-frequency electromagnetic power beam which contains said radio-frequency signal;iv) an electrically conducting rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear electrical-conductor path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises a coaxial electrical cable comprising two co-aligned lengths whereby said first length of electrical coaxial cable mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station transmits a wideband electrical signal which contains said image data;
concentric contained volumes of high-electrical-conductivity fluid in electrical contact with said first length of electrical coaxial cable and responsive to said wideband electrical signal propagate said wideband electrical signal; and
a second length of electrical coaxial cable mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station and in electrical contact with said concentric contained volumes of high-electrical-conductivity fluid receives said wideband electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A high-resolution panoramic television surveillance system having a wide-angle synoptic field of view which is substantially 360°
- in width and comprising an image-sensing station and an image-monitoring station, wherein said image-sensing station comprises
a) imaging-sensor means for collecting a "live" television-like synoptic panoramic surveillance image, having a line-format field of view, b) means for effecting rotation of said imaging-sensor means about an azimuthal scan-rotation axis at a predetermined angular rate whereby image data is continuously collected from a synoptic wide-angle unobstructed panoramic field which is substantially 360°
in width, andc) image-data delivery means for continuously delivering said image data from said image-sensing station, wherein said data delivery means comprises d) rotary-joint data-transmission means for effecting data transmission between a rotatable portion of said image-sensing station and a non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, wherein said rotary-joint data-transmission means comprises a rotary-joint data link selected from among the group consisting of; i) an optical-waveband electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises; an optical-waveband signal transmitter and beam-forming optics mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, said optical-waveband signal transmitter transmits a single optical-waveband beam of light which contains an optical-waveband signal which contains said image data and said beam-forming optics being responsive to said optical-waveband beam for propagating said optical-waveband signal; and
an optical-waveband receiver comprising beam-collecting optics mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station receives said optical-waveband beam of light which contains said optical signal;ii) an optical-fiber electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises a single linear optical-fiber structure comprising two co-aligned lengths of fiber-optic cable whereby; an optical-waveband signal transmitter and a first said length of fiber-optic cable coupled to said optical-waveband signal transmitter and mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station transmits a single optical-waveband beam of light which contains an optical-waveband signal which contains said image data through said first length of fiber-optic cable; and
an optical-waveband receiver and said second length of fiber-optic cable optically coupled to said optical-waveband receiver and mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station for receiving said optical-waveband signal;iii) a radio-frequency electromagnetic-radiation-beam rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear physical channel path, substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises; a radio-frequency signal transmitter and a beam-forming antenna mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station said radio-frequency signal transmitter transmits a single radio-frequency electromagnetic power beam which contains a radio-frequency signal which contains said image data and said beam-forming antenna being responsive to said radio-frequency electromagnetic power propagates said radio-frequency electromagnetic power; and
a radio-frequency receiver comprising a beam-collecting antenna mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station receives said transmitted radio-frequency electromagnetic power beam which contains said radio-frequency signal;iv) an electrically conducting rotary-joint data link which comprises a single linear electrical-conductor path substantially parallel to said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means and substantially coincident with said azimuthal scan-rotation axis of said image-sensing means, for transporting said image data to said non-rotatable portion and which comprises a coaxial electrical cable comprising two lengths whereby said first length of electrical coaxial cable mounted to said rotatable portion of said image-sensing station transmits a wideband electrical signal which contains said image data;
concentric contained volumes of high-electrical-conductivity fluid in electrical contact with said first length of electrical coaxial cable and responsive to said wideband electrical signal propagate said wideband electrical signal; and
a second length of electrical coaxial cable mounted to said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station and in electrical contact with said concentric contained volumes of high-electrical-conductivity fluid receives said wideband electrical signal; andv) an electrically conducting rotary-joint data link comprising wideband electrical sliprings, and wherein said image-monitoring station comprises e) image-data-processing means for processing the image data from said entire synoptic wide-angle panoramic field which is substantially 360°
in width into a form suitable for surveillance-evaluation display,f) display buffer-storage means for storing the image data from said entire synoptic wide-angle panoramic field which is substantially 360°
in width for uninterrupted display between image collection cycles by a synoptic panoramic array of visual monitor displays,g) a synoptic panoramic array of visual monitor displays for displaying said entire synoptic wide-angle panoramic field which is substantially 360°
in width, andh) an observer-personnel position, whereby the combined operation of said image-data-processing means, said display buffer-storage means, and said synoptic panoramic array of visual monitor displays, enables continuous synoptic evaluation of the entire synoptic wide-angle panoramic field which is substantially 360°
in width at said observer-personnel position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- in width and comprising an image-sensing station and an image-monitoring station, wherein said image-sensing station comprises
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21. A method for immediately detecting the presence and location of any object of interest for surveillance evaluation, within a very wide-angle panoramic region which is substantially 360°
- in width, comprising the steps of;
a) continuously collecting a "live" television-like synoptic panoramic surveillance image of said entire wide-angle panoramic region from an image-sensing station by 1) panoramically scanning for collecting image data employing a line-format field of view, and 2) effecting rotation of said line-format field of view about an azimuthal scan-rotation axis at a predetermined angular rate whereby image data is continuously collected from a synoptic wide-angle unobstructed panoramic field which is substantially 360°
in width,b) continuously transmitting the collected image data from a rotatable portion of said image-sensing station to a non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, providing simultaneous bidirectional data flow for the simultaneous transmission of image data, instrumentation data regarding the status and condition of the rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, and data to control the operation of said rotatable portion, c) accepting the collected image data at an image-monitoring station which is continuously delivered from said non-rotatable portion of said image-sensing station, d) processing said image data into a form suitable for surveillance-evaluation display, e) buffer storing the processed image data for uninterrupted display between image collection cycles by a synoptic panoramic array of visual monitor displays, and f) continuously displaying the processed image data on a synoptic panoramic array of visual monitor displays at an observer-personnel position, thereby enabling continuous synoptic evaluation of the substantially 360°
panoramic scene at said observer-personnel position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
- in width, comprising the steps of;
Specification