Abstract: An image capture and display system comprises an image capture array positioned on a vehicle, the image capture array comprising a plurality of image sensing members. At least one transmitter is provided for transmitting images from the image sensing members. The system also includes a monitor display array positioned remotely from the image capture array. The monitor display array comprises a display monitor for and corresponding to each image sensing member, and a receiver for receiving the images corresponding to each transmitter.

Abstract: A multifunctional sky camera system and techniques for the use thereof for total sky imaging and spectral irradiance/radiance measurement are provided. In one aspect, a sky camera system is provided. The sky camera system includes an objective lens having a field of view of greater than about 170 degrees; a spatial light modulator at an image plane of the objective lens, wherein the spatial light modulator is configured to attenuate light from objects in images captured by the objective lens; a semiconductor image sensor; and one or more relay lens configured to project the images from the spatial light modulator to the semiconductor image sensor. Techniques for use of the one or more of the sky camera systems for optical flow based cloud tracking and three-dimensional cloud analysis are also provided.

Abstract: An image processing system in which the georeferencing of at least one digital image is achieved by means of at least one picture model of the said digital image and of a digital reference relief form. The digital image is obtained from a pair of digital images acquired in the same focal plane. An intermediate digital relief form is produced from said pair of digital images. The intermediate digital relief form and said digital reference relief form are processed to refine the said picture model of the said digital image to be georeferenced. A final digital relief form is generated and said final digital relief form and said digital image are projected in a geographical or cartographic system, for the purpose of their georeferencing. The pair of digital images in the same focal plane are acquired in a small stereoscopic base configuration by sensors located in the same focal plane.

Abstract: A multifunctional sky camera system and techniques for the use thereof for total sky imaging and spectral irradiance/radiance measurement are provided. In one aspect, a sky camera system is provided. The sky camera system includes an objective lens having a field of view of greater than about 170 degrees; a spatial light modulator at an image plane of the objective lens, wherein the spatial light modulator is configured to attenuate light from objects in images captured by the objective lens; a semiconductor image sensor; and one or more relay lens configured to project the images from the spatial light modulator to the semiconductor image sensor. Techniques for use of the one or more of the sky camera systems for optical flow based cloud tracking and three-dimensional cloud analysis are also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system is disclosed for capturing and distributing aerial images and/or videos. Images and/or videos are captured from aircraft and transmitted to a ground station. Users are able to view captured images on a real-time or near real-time basis through a user platform on mobile devices and web browsers. The location of the user may also be determined and used to interpolate the user's location with the captured images.

Abstract: One variation of a method for imaging an area of interest includes: within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and receiving a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; identifying a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission; generating a flight path over the ground area for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting an altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the flight path based on the selection for the resolution of the geospatial map and an optical system arranged within the unmanned aerial vehicle; setting a geospatial accuracy requirement for the mission based on the selection for the mission type; and assembling a set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission into the geospatial map.

Abstract: There is provided a control device including an image display unit configured to acquire, from a flying body, an image captured by an imaging device provided in the flying body and to display the image, and a flight instruction generation unit configured to generate a flight instruction for the flying body based on content of an operation performed with respect to the image captured by the imaging device and displayed by the image display unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically capturing, uploading, and publishing content. The system may include one or more monitoring modules for providing captured content to a remote site.

Abstract: The ASVVMS, an Autonomous Space Vehicle Video Monitoring System, an Electrically and Mechanically Powered Camera System for Video and Audio monitoring the health and wellbeing of satellites and space vehicles. ASVVMS allows for Autonomous Monitoring and implementing corrective actions, providing telemetry and communications to keep the health and wellbeing of satellites and space vehicles it's mounted too. Constructed form different sections, The Modular Mounting, is formed to exact dimensions to form any type of satellite and space vehicles. FIG. 1. The ASVVMS can be mounted on an arm like device to enable complete viewing of the entire vehicle surfaces of the space vehicle. The fixed configuration has the camera mounted onto the Modular track. The ASVVMS Utilizes Rotor Joints allowing maximum angle flexibility for viewing the satellites and space vehicle. Delivered in pre-designed sections then fit to the specific structure and assembled on satellite and space vehicle.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are providing for facilitating recalibration of a multi-sensor camera. That is, a multi-sensor camera may comprise a nadir sensor and one or more oblique sensors. Temperature, mechanical stress, and other factors can lead to misalignment of one or more sensors within the multi-sensor camera. Accordingly, a set of tie points and/or observations may be generated based upon a search matching technique, a densification technique, and/or a virtual matching technique. A bundle technique may be utilized to generate updated eccentricity information based upon the set of tie points and/or observations. The updated eccentricity information (e.g., orientation and/or position information of a sensor, such as an oblique sensor, with respect to a nadir view) may be used to recalibrate the multi-sensor camera, such as in real-time (e.g., during a flight mission that utilizes the multi-sensor camera to capture aerial images of a city or other scene).

Abstract: The telescopes described are configured in an integrated telescope package by permanently fixing optical components of the telescope at predefined positions without having movable or adjustable components in the optical layout of the telescope to improve immunity to vibrations and other perturbations and to maintain stability of the optical alignment.

Abstract: An aerial camera, includes at least one objective, a number of optoelectronic and/or electronic components, and a housing that includes the at least one objective and the optoelectronic and/or or electronic components. The optoelectronic and/or electronic components are arranged next to one another and/or one above the other in the housing in at least two different planes, in particular planes arranged at least approximately parallel to one another. The housing has at least one cooling device for cooling the optoelectronic and/or electronic components. The cooling device has at least one cooling channel that is integrated in the housing and extends between the at least two different planes having the optoelectronic and/or electronic components. A gaseous fluid flows through the at least one cooling channel for the purpose of cooling, and the at least one cooling channel is completely separated from the gaseous surroundings of the optoelectronic and/or electronic components.

Abstract: Simulated high resolution, multi-view video based on video input from low resolution, single-direction cameras is provided. Video received from traffic cameras, security cameras, monitoring cameras, and comparable ones is fused with patches from a database of pre-captured images and/or temporally shifted video to create higher quality video, as well as multiple viewpoints for the same camera.

Abstract: An aircraft hover system for enabling an aircraft to hover at a target spatial location represented by GPS location coordinates. The hover system includes a display screen rendering a display including live video feed of the terrain below the airborne aircraft, a first mark overlaying the video feed, the first mark representing the current position of the aircraft relative to the terrain, and a perimeter surrounding the first mark, the portion of the terrain within the perimeter being substantially magnified compared to that of the terrain outside of the perimeter. The hover system is configured such that, as the aircraft approaches the target spatial location, the distance between the first mark and a second mark on the display gradually decreases until and finally the first and second marks coincide; the second mark representing the target spatial location.

Abstract: A satellite constellation includes a plurality of satellites in respective polar orbits. The orbits are spaced evenly in longitude and the satellites of adjacent orbits are spaced evenly in latitude. On board each satellite is one or more sensors for monitoring activity within the satellite's field of view.

Abstract: An aerial photographing system, comprising a flying vehicle being remotely controlled, a camera (7, 8) tiltably supported in any direction via a gimbal (25), a retro-reflector (9) tilting integrally with the camera, being set in a known relation with the camera and used as an object to be measured, and a total station (3) for tracking the retro-reflector and for measuring position of the retro-reflector.

Abstract: A camera adapted for taking pictures of a moving scene is disclosed. The camera includes an imaging array, a plurality of charge-coupled device (CCD) shift registers, and a controller. The imaging array includes a plurality of CMOS pixel sensors organized as a plurality of columns and rows. The image moves in the column direction. One CCD shift register corresponds to each of the columns. Each CMOS pixel sensor includes a first transfer gate that transfers charge accumulated in the pixel sensor to a corresponding cell in the CCD shift register. The controller controls the CCD shift registers such that charge stored in a first cell in a CCD shift register is moved to a second cell in the CCD shift register where the charge is combined with charge accumulated by the pixel sensor that is connected to the second cell, the combined charge being generated from the same image pixel.

Abstract: An imaging system having a first laser emitting a light beam to illuminate the object is provided. The system includes first and second beam splitters. The first beam splitter combines a first light beam portion and a third light beam portion emitted from a second laser to form a first interference pattern. The second beam splitter combines a second light beam portion and a fourth light beam portion to form a second interference pattern. The system includes digital cameras generating raw image data based on the first and second interference patterns, and a computer processing the raw image data to obtain synthetic image plane data.

Abstract: A method for determining an attitude of a star sensor based on a rolling shutter imaging is provided. The method comprises: optimizing a relation among an exposure time, a line readout time, an interline integral interval time and a frame processing time of an image for the rolling shutter imaging by using a rolling shutter model of an image sensor in the star sensor based on a line; predicting and extracting locations of M navigation stars comprised in a star map in the star sensor according to the optimized relation among the exposure time, the line readout time, the interline integral interval time and the frame processing time; and transferring an updated the attitude matrix and an updated angular velocity of the star sensor sequentially until a final attitude matrix and a final angular velocity of the star sensor are obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for auto focusing camera module includes a DFoV value measurer measuring a DFoV value of a lens; storage stored with a designed DFoV value of a lens, a controller comparing the DFoV value of a lens measured by the DFoV value measurer with the designed DFoV value of a lens stored in the storage to recognize an initial position of a lens, and a lens mover focusing the lens by winding the lens or by unwinding the lens in response to the initial position of the lens recognized by the controller.

Abstract: An aircraft system includes an entertainment source, and passenger displays for displaying images from the entertainment source. A signal distribution network connects the entertainment source to the passenger displays. The aircraft system further includes cameras spaced throughout the aircraft for aircraft surveillance, and a pilot display for displaying images from the cameras. The signal distribution network also connects the cameras to the pilot display. The cameras may provide images of internal the aircraft, such as in the cabin area, or external the aircraft. The aircraft system further includes a pilot control unit connected to the pilot display for control thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.

Abstract: Examples of imaging microsatellites are described that have an imaging system and antenna system disposed within the microsatellite body when the microsatellite is in a non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not impact, contact, or displace the imaging system when the microsatellite is in the non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not contact or impact the body of the microsatellite or any other structure when the microsatellite transitions to a deployed state. The antenna system can be configured to achieve a desired gain and/or data transmission rate by adjusting properties of the antenna system based on the radiation pattern of an antenna feed and geometric constraints imposed by the imaging system. Examples of methods for designing such imaging microsatellites are provided.

Abstract: An image capture system for capturing images of an object, the image capture system comprising a moving platform such as an airplane, one or more image capture devices mounted to the moving platform, and a detection computer. The image capture device has a sensor for capturing an image. The detection computer executes an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in an image immediately after the image is captured and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image. Alternatively, the detection computer sends a signal to the flight management software executed on a computer system to automatically schedule a re-shoot of the image. When the moving platform is an airplane, the detection computer schedules a re-shoot of the image such that the image is retaken before landing the airplane.

Abstract: Designs of multi-band sensor array to generate multi-spectral images are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a multi-band sensor array includes one linear sensor configured to sense a scene in panchromatic spectrum to produce a panchromatic (PAN) sensing signal, and four color-band linear sensors to sense the same scene in different color bands to produce respective sensing signals. These sensors are packaged in a single module that is disposed on a single optical plane when used to scan a scene. A multi-spectral image is produced by combining these sensing signals. Further a unique packaging of the sensor array and a combination of soft and hard PCB are disclosed to withstand extremes in a harsh environment.

Abstract: A method for acquiring images of a photographic target from arbitrary perspectives with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with at least one image acquisition device having a fixed acquisition direction with respect to the vehicle, said UAV having automatic navigation means allowing to reach an arbitrary location and automatic attitude control means allowing to transiently reach an arbitrary orientation in space, said photographic target being outside the current field of view of the acquisition device while the UAV flies along a predefined flying path, this method comprising: computing a target UAV position and an orientation in space required to acquire a desired image from a set of parameters, navigating to said target UAV position, modifying an attitude of the UAV in order to modify the acquisition direction to point toward the photographic target, acquiring images, and starting a recovery phase by controlling the UAV back to cruise attitude and navigate back along the predefined flying path.

Abstract: The present invention features a qualitative method to detect independent motion revealed in successive frames of a compressed surveillance MPEG video stream using linear system consistency analysis without decompression of the stream, identifying the segments containing independent motion in a real-time or faster manner, for the retrieval of these segments. The linear system is constructed using the macroblocks of MPEG compressed video frames. The normal flow value of the macroblock is obtained by taking the dot product between the macroblock gradient vector, computed by averaging the four block gradient vectors, and the motion vector of this macroblock. The normal flow value is filtered for inclusion in the linear system, and the statistic of the matrices of the resulting linear system is determined, filtered to screen out false negatives and outliers, and used to determine the presence or absence of independent motion.

Abstract: A multi-sensor system can be attached to a high voltage power line, draw power from the power line inductively, and convert the power to lower voltages and direct currents for operating cameras, sensors, a processor, and communications equipment that provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The multi-sensor system can detect and track targets in detection regions and transmit such detection data and other data from the camera and sensors to a remote operator who can initiate response actions and send control instructions to the multi-sensor system from the remote location.

Abstract: A multiscale telescopic imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an objective lens, having a wide field of view, which forms an intermediate image of a scene at a substantially spherical image surface. A plurality of microcameras in a microcamera array relay image portions of the intermediate image onto their respective focal-plane arrays, while simultaneously correcting at least one localized aberration in their respective image portions. The microcameras in the microcamera array are arranged such that the fields of view of adjacent microcameras overlap enabling field points of the intermediate image to be relayed by multiple microcameras. The microcamera array and objective lens are arranged such that light from the scene can reach the objective lens while mitigating deleterious effects such as obscuration and vignetting.

Abstract: Methods and systems stabilization of a camera image for short term or ‘pole shake’ and longer term ‘pole drift’ are provided. The camera is attached to a fixed structure. The pole drift is over periods of times long enough that the imagery can change significantly between a base reference frame and the current stabilized transient frame. A multitude of mapped frames and associated information is maintained. The slowly varying camera orientation (“pole drift”) is decoupled from the rapid motion jitter (“pole shake”), and separate transformations are calculated for each. Up to three transformations may be combined together for any one input frame. The separate transformations are combined together, so that only one full-blown image transformation computation is performed for each frame. A surveillance system applies a stabilization method.

Abstract: A optical system carried by a flying object such as a satellite or aircraft having a pair of optical paths having different Q values for obtaining a pair of images of the same spot on the Earth's (or other celestial body's) surface. The optical paths may have a portion in common with each other and a portion not in common with each other. Light is directed into the optical paths via a field sharing arrangement. One of the optical paths together with an imaging device creates relatively narrower field of view images with a higher ground resolution than the other optical path together with an imaging device.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage comprising at least one window equipped with a system for displaying images of the outside environment for a passenger. The display system comprises a camera for filming the environment outside the aircraft; a display surface; a display projector suitable for displaying an image of the outside environment on the display surface; and a first image processor suitable for receiving the images of the outside environment. The first image processor is configured to produce computed images which are in continuity with the images visible to the passenger through the window, and transmit the computed images to the display projector.

Abstract: Examples of imaging microsatellites are described that have an imaging system and antenna system disposed within the microsatellite body when the microsatellite is in a non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not impact, contact, or displace the imaging system when the microsatellite is in the non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not contact or impact the body of the microsatellite or any other structure when the microsatellite transitions to a deployed state. The antenna system can be configured to achieve a desired gain and/or data transmission rate by adjusting properties of the antenna system based on the radiation pattern of an antenna feed and geometric constraints imposed by the imaging system. Examples of methods for designing such imaging microsatellites are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a time-sequential multi-spectrum image acquiring device structure which uses a single camera module to achieve multi-spectrum image acquiring in a time-sequential architecture, thereby providing a simple, lightweight telemetry system and reducing the development and operation costs thereof. For example, a visible and near infrared (VNIR) imaging system reduces the use of four camera modules (each including an optical lens, filter, sensor, and image signal processing unit) to single camera module, the VNIR imaging system acquires multi-spectrum images having the same image geometric parameters for image calibration and can simplify the calibration process. The present invention is implemented by introducing a multi-spectrum filter wheel capable of rotating in high speed in the camera module and controlling the image acquiring frequency of the sensor and the synchronicity of the wheel rotating speed for multi-spectrum image acquiring.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for generating survey data about a survey site. Aerial photography of at least part of the survey site can be analyzed using photogrammetric techniques. In some cases, an unmanned aerial system can be used to collect site imagery. The use of a UAS can reduce the fiscal and chronological cost of a survey, compared to the use of other types aerial imagery and/or conventional terrestrial surveying techniques used alone.

Abstract: A method is provided for the real-time determination of signals to be summed from signals representative of an image portion which are respectively received from detectors belonging to the same optical sensor, the detectors being organized in a matrix formed by rows and columns, the signals to be summed being received on the same column. The method also determines the time during which the detectors must acquire the signals to be summed. The method determines a value representative of a modulation transfer function of at least one lens and/or at least one mirror placed upstream of the optical sensor, and a signal-to-noise ratio of the image portion, based on a location of one of the detectors and on a signal representative of an image portion obtained from the detectors. This representative value is dependent on the number. The method searches for the number and the time maximizing the representative value.

Abstract: An image converter for performing processes of cutting out a part of a distorted circular image photographed by use of a fisheye lens and converting the part into a planar regular image. The image converter includes a distorted circular image memory, a planar regular image memory, a parameter input unit, a corresponding coordinate calculating unit, and a planar regular image forming unit.

Abstract: Examples of imaging microsatellites are described that have an imaging system and antenna system disposed within the microsatellite body when the microsatellite is in a non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not impact, contact, or displace the imaging system when the microsatellite is in the non-deployed state. The properties of the antenna system can be adjusted such that the antenna system does not contact or impact the body of the microsatellite or any other structure when the microsatellite transitions to a deployed state. The antenna system can be configured to achieve a desired gain and/or data transmission rate by adjusting properties of the antenna system based on the radiation pattern of an antenna feed and geometric constraints imposed by the imaging system. Examples of methods for designing such imaging microsatellites are provided.

Abstract: The method according to the invention gene rates an aerial image mosaic viewing a larger area than a single image from a camera can provide using a combination of computer vision and photogrammetry. The aerial image mosaic is based on a set of images acquired from a camera. Selective matching and cross matching of consecutive and non-consecutive images, respectively, are performed and three dimensional motion and structure parameters are calculated and implemented on the model to check if the model is stable. Thereafter the parameters are globally optimised and based on these optimised parameters the serial image mosaic is generated. The set of images may be limited by removing old image data as new images are acquired. The method makes it is possible to establish images in near real time using a system of low complexity and small size, and using only image information.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the fit of a modular window assembly into a simulated vehicle body opening includes a base member, a vehicle body opening/sheet metal simulator mounted to the base member, one or more light sources disposed in the vehicle body opening/sheet metal simulator and one or more devices for securing the vehicle window to the vehicle body opening/sheet metal simulator. A method of utilizing the apparatus is also a part of the invention.

Abstract: An image file format article of manufacture for a PFI.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that directly detect whether or not enhanced vision system images obtained from a moving vehicle are degraded. If they are, image display is turned off to reduce operator distraction. When image quality is restored, image display is turned back on so operators can take advantage of EVS capabilities.

Abstract: Monitoring system for remotely supervising and controlling critical operations and algorithm for detecting image freezing, consisting of a system for displaying images from a set of sensors in real time, with the ability to detect the freezing of part or all of the imput video signal and to detect the failure or non-existance of an input video signal in order to inform the operator by means of sound, indicating lights or overlays on the display, and with the ability to select an alternative video signal input in order to avoid the operator being able to lose sight of the images of the real world being displayed or to avoid a delay being produced in the viewing of such images. The invention also relates to an algorithm for performing the above functionalities on the basis of the use of one or more computing units.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing for distribution to, distributing to and/or use by one or more devices broadband data associated with intelligence information garnered from an aerial vehicle (“AV”): The method may include obtaining from sensors coupled to the AV video depicting an area of surveillance, obtaining metadata associated with the video, aligning, temporally, the video and metadata, using reference information to align, spatially, the video and metadata, forming for distribution to the at least one device enhanced metadata as a function of the video, metadata and reference information, wherein the enhanced metadata is operable to enable displaying at the devices at least a portion of the video, whereby after receiving a distribution of the enhanced metadata, the devices are operable to display such portion of the video.

Abstract: An aerial camera system is disclosed comprising: a camera cluster, including a plurality of cameras, each camera orientated in a direction selected from a plurality of different camera directions having a downward component; one or more rotators that rotate the camera cluster about respective one or more axes in response to one or more signals, and a control module that successively provides one or more signals to the one or more rotators to rotate the camera cluster and cause the cameras in the camera cluster to acquire respective aerial images.

Abstract: A method for guiding a gun-fired or mortared round towards an intended target. The method including: capturing image data from an image pick-up device during a descent of the round; transmitting the image data to a control platform remotely located from the round; transmitting guidance information to the round from the remote platform based on the captured image data; varying a flight path of the round based on the guidance information to guide the round towards its intended target.

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft includes a camera, a laser ranging system and a driving unit. The laser ranging system measures a distance to an object in the field of view of the camera. The driving unit rotates the field of view. Thus, it is possible to acquire relative position data of the object around the unmanned aircraft with a small and light-weight unit.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed relating to acquisition of images regarding large area objects or large areas. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of obtaining or capturing, via a first system that includes one or more first image capturing devices, overview images, wherein the overview images depict first areas, as well as obtaining or capturing, via a second system that includes a plurality of image capturing devices, detail images characterized as being related to each other along an image axis. Moreover, the detail images may depict second areas that are subsets of the first areas, they may be arranged in strips parallel to the image axis, and they may have a higher resolution than corresponding portions of the first images.

Abstract: A compact momentum-balanced internal optical scanning mechanism is provided for a wide angle camera used in photo reconnaissance and the like, in which a large high resolution but not fully populated array is used to provide full scene coverage with high pixel densities, in which sharpness is maintained and in which the image can be scanned without vibration due to momentum compensation so that the image may be shifted on the focal plane array in such a manner that images focused on a dark portion of the array will move to an active portion of the array, with the sequential read out of the information concatenated into high resolution full scene image data.