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Autonomous electro-optical framing camera system with constant ground resolution, unmanned airborne vehicle therefor, and methods of use

  • US 6,130,705 A
  • Filed: 07/10/1998
  • Issued: 10/10/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An autonomous aerial reconnaissance camera system for imaging a scene of interest suitable for carriage by a reconnaissance vehicle, comprising:

  • (a) an electro-optical imaging detector array comprising a plurality of pixel elements arranged in rows and columns;

    (b) a zoom lens system, comprising a zoom lens for imaging a scene external of said reconnaissance vehicle onto said imaging detector array and a drive system for adjusting the focal length of said zoom lens; and

    (c) a camera control system for said imaging array and said zoom lens system, comprising;

    i.) a memory storing information as to field of view, resolution, or image interpretability rating objectives for imagery to be generated by said imaging array; and

    ii.) a camera control computer for receiving (a) aircraft navigation data generated by a navigation system on-board said reconnaissance vehicle and (b) either range-to-scene information or aircraft height and stand-off distance data for said scene of interest, and responsively generating commands for said imaging array,iii.) said camera control system further comprising a zoom lens adjustment module generating commands for said drive system for said zoom lens to adjust said focal length of said zoom lens from said range-to-scene information or aircraft height and stand-off distance data and said information stored in said memory;

    (d) said camera control computer, zoom lens, and electro-optical imaging detector array cooperating to generate an image meeting said field of view, resolution, or image interpretability rating objectives and enabling said field of view, resolution, or ground-resolvable distance objectives to be obtained without real-time operator involvement.

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