Moving imager camera for track and range capture

• US 7,847,826 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interval Licensing LLC
• Original Assignee: Interval Licensing LLC
• Inventors: Baker, Henry H., Kalayjian, Nicholas R., Woodfill, John I., St. Hilaire, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LUONG TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US12/191,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20080303908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 348/47, 348/48, 348/218.1, 348/219.1, 348/240.99, 348/208.14, 3482085-2087, 348/207.11
• US Class Current: 348/219.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/02 Picture taking arrangements specially adapted for photogrammetry or photographic surveying, e.g. controlling overlapping of pictures

Abstract

A precision motion platform carrying an imaging device under a large-field-coverage lens enables capture of high resolution imagery over the full field in an instantaneous telephoto mode and wide-angle coverage through temporal integration. The device permits automated tracking and scanning without movement of a camera body or lens. Coupled use of two or more devices enables automated range computation without the need for subsequent epipolar rectification. The imager motion enables sample integration for resolution enhancement. The control methods for imager positioning enable decreasing the blur caused by both the motion of the moving imager or the motion of an object'"'"'s image that the imager is intended to capture.

Claims

1. A moving imager camera comprising:

a first positioning mechanism capable of three-dimensional movement;

a first imaging device having a first imaging surface, the first imaging device being mounted upon a first surface of the first positioning mechanism such that the first imaging device moves in concert with motion of the first surface of the first positioning mechanism;

a first measurement system operable to determine a first position of the first imaging device within an external frame of reference defined by three axes X, Y, and Z;

a first lens having a first focal surface and a first field of coverage, the first lens arranged such that the first focal surface coincides with the first imaging surface of the first imaging device, the first field of coverage of the first lens being larger than the optically sensitive area of the first imaging surface;

a second positioning mechanism capable of three-dimensional movement;

a second imaging device having a second imaging surface, the second imaging device being mounted upon a second surface of the second positioning mechanism such that the second imaging device moves in concert with motion of the second surface of the second positioning mechanism;

a second measurement system operable to determine a second position of the second imaging device in the focal plane; and

a second lens having a second focal surface and a second field of coverage, the second lens arranged such that the second focal surface of the second lens coincides with the second imaging surface of the second imaging device, the second field of coverage of the second lens being larger than the optically sensitive area of the second imaging surface,

wherein a control system is operable to position the first and second positioning mechanisms in order to adjust a range of stereoscopic imaging available through the use of the first and second imaging devices, and

further wherein two-dimensional in-plane displacements of the first and second imaging surfaces with respect to the first lens and the second lens, respectively, are synchronized to generate higher resolution composite images of a field of view of the moving imager camera.

2. A moving imager camera comprising:

a plurality of moving imagers, wherein each moving imager comprises;

a first positioning mechanism capable of three-dimensional movement;

a first imaging device having an imaging surface, the first imaging device being mounted upon a surface of the first positioning mechanism such that the first imaging device moves in concert with motion of the surface of the first positioning mechanism;

a first measurement system operable to determine a position of the first imaging device within an external frame of reference defined by three axes X, Y, and Z; and

a first lens having a focal surface and a field of coverage, the first lens arranged such that the focal surface coincides with the imaging surface of the first imaging device, the field of coverage of the first lens being larger than the optically sensitive area of the imaging surface,

wherein the first positioning mechanism, the first imaging device, the first measurement system, and the first lens all comprise a first moving imager, the first moving imager being one of the plurality of moving imagers, and

further wherein two-dimensional in-plane displacements of the imaging surface with respect to the first lens of each of the plurality of moving imagers are synchronized through the use of the first measurement system and a second measurement system to generate higher resolution composite images of a field of view of the moving imager camera.

3. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 2 further including an alignment mechanism operable to align the plurality of moving imagers into substantially the same plane.

4. A moving imager camera operable to generate stereoscopic images suitable for use in range computation, the moving imager camera comprising:

a first moving imager including;

a first positioning mechanism capable of two-dimensional movement;

a first imaging device having a first imaging surface, the first imaging device being mounted upon a first surface of the first positioning mechanism such that the first imaging device moves in concert with motion of the first surface of the first positioning mechanism;

a first measurement system operable to determine a first position of the first imaging device in a focal plane within an external frame of reference; and

a first lens having a first focal surface and a first field of coverage, the first lens arranged such that the first focal surface coincides with the first imaging surface of the first imaging device, the first field of coverage of the first lens being larger than the optically sensitive area of the first imaging surface; and

a first converting lens arranged between the first lens and the first imaging surface, wherein a large portion of the first field of coverage of the first lens is projected onto the first imaging surface; and

a second moving imager including;

a second positioning mechanism capable of two-dimensional movement;

a second imaging device having a second imaging surface, the second imaging device being mounted upon a second surface of the second positioning mechanism such that the second imaging device moves in concert with motion of the second surface of the second positioning mechanism;

a second measurement system operable to determine a second position of the second imaging device in the focal plane within the external frame of reference; and

a second lens having a second focal surface and a second field of coverage, the second lens arranged such that the second focal surface coincides with the second imaging surface of the second imaging device, the second field of coverage of the second lens being larger than the optically sensitive area of the second imaging surface; and

a second converting lens arranged between the second lens and the second imaging surface, wherein a large portion of the second field of coverage of the second lens is projected onto the second imaging surface; and

a computer system operable to control the first and second positioning mechanisms in order to adjust a range of stereoscopic imaging available through the use of the first and second moving imagers, and

further wherein two-dimensional in-plane displacements of the first and second imaging surfaces with respect to the first lens and the second lens, respectively, are synchronized to generate higher resolution composite images of a field of view of the moving imager camera.

5. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 4 wherein the first positioning mechanism includes a first platform operable to move along both X and Y axes, the surface of the first positioning mechanism being arranged such that the surface of the first positioning mechanism moves in concert with the first platform.

6. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 5 wherein the first positioning mechanism further includes at least one stepper motor for actuating the first platform.

7. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 6 further including a control system for controlling the operation of the at least one stepper motor.

8. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 7 wherein the control system is a differential control system capable of microstepping the at least one stepper motor.

9. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 4 where the first moving imager is a digital imager, the imaging surface of the first imaging device is an array of imaging pixels, and the resolution of the array is at least 512 pixels by 512 pixels.

10. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 4 wherein the first measurement system includes an interferometer system operable to determine the position of the first imaging device in the focal plane.

11. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 4 wherein the first measurement system is a sonar based ranging system operable to determine the position of the first imaging device in the focal plane.

12. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 4 wherein both the first and second lenses are designed for use in a 35 millimeter camera.

13. A moving imager camera as recited in claim 4 further comprising an alignment mechanism operable to align the first and second moving imagers into substantially the same plane.