Abstract: An imaging sensor system comprising: a rigid mount plate affixed to a vehicle; a first rigid mount unit affixed to the mount plate and having at least two imaging sensors disposed within the first mount unit, wherein a first imaging and a second imaging sensor each has a focal axis passing through an aperture in the first mount unit and the mount plate, wherein the first and second imaging sensor each generates a first array of pixels, wherein each array of pixels is at least two dimensional, wherein the first and second imaging sensors are offset to have a first image overlap area in the target area, wherein the first sensors image data bisects the second sensors image data in the first image overlap area.

Abstract: A flight system of an infrared camera and its communication method are disclosed. The system includes an infrared camera mounted on an aircraft. The system may also include: a signal collection and process unit provided on the infrared camera for obtaining infrared image signals of a monitored object and transforming the image signals into communication signals; a communication signal transmission unit for receiving the communication signals from the signal collection and process unit, emitting the received communication signals via a communication channel, and receiving communication signals to transmit to the infrared camera; and an on-board satellite communication apparatus for emitting the communication signals to a satellite, and receiving communication signals coming from the satellite to be transmitted to the communication signal transmission unit.

Abstract: To create an environment in which the passenger has the same emotion, feel and visual experience that a pilot has with regard to freedom of flight and proximity to the exterior of the aircraft and where passengers have the impression that they are looking out of an actual panoramic window, a “virtual window” includes internal and the external aspects of a real window. The internal part can comprise a folded or flexible high resolution color display that conforms to the internal profile of the aircraft fuselage as if it were an actual window. The external part comprises a paint scheme that is indistinguishable from an actual window and which is placed on the outside of the aircraft fuselage in registry with the conformal display in the aircraft's interior.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for calibrating alignment errors of a sight mark of an on-board imaging system inside an observation satellite, wherein a reference image of a scene is compared with a secondary image of the scene acquired by the imaging system, characterized in that the reference image and the secondary image consist of exposures of the scene acquired by the imaging system, the direction of motion of the observation satellite during the exposure of the secondary image being opposite to the direction of motion of the observation satellite during the exposure of the reference image.

Abstract: A moving platform system suitable for mounting and use on a moving platform, comprising a position system monitoring the location of the moving platform and generating a sequence of time-based position data, a non-line of sight communication system, a high-speed line of sight communication system, and a computer system monitoring the availability of the non-line of sight communication system and the high-speed line of sight communication system and initiating connections when the non-line of sight communication system and the high-speed line of sight communication system are available, and receiving the sequence of time-based position data and transmitting the sequence of time-based position data via the at least one of the currently available non-line of sight communication system and the high-speed line of sight communication system.

Abstract: An aircraft exploration system includes an unmanned aircraft, a remote control, a communication processer and a data processing terminal. The an unmanned aircraft equipped with an MCU module, an image module, a first transceiver module and a GPS module, the above-mentioned modules are electronically connected to the MCU module. The unmanned aircraft is controlled by the remote control to fly. The data processing terminal is electronically connected to the communication processer, the GPS module senses the position signals of the unmanned aircraft and sends position signals to the data processing terminal, and the data processing terminal displays a map of an environment surrounding the unmanned aircraft promptly and in real time due to the positioning signals via internet.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a camera to capture images of a target, the computing device sets coordinates of a target, initial coordinates of the camera, and an initial viewing direction of the camera. Real-time coordinates and a real-time viewing direction of the camera are obtained when the UAV flies around the target. Accordingly, adjustment parameters of the camera are calculated and transferred to a driver system connected to the camera, such that the driver system adjusts the camera to face the target according to the adjusting parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging according to various aspects of the present invention may generate an enhanced image of a target in an environment using image data from a sensor. The methods and apparatus may scale the image data to a higher resolution and register the image represented by the image data with other images of the same target. The enhanced image of the target is generated according to the registered images.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a remote imaging array. A first imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to a housing, having a curvilinear array axis, along the curvilinear array axis. A second imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to the housing along the curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and second imaging sensors intersect one another at an intersection area. A third imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to the housing along a curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, opposite the second imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and third imaging sensors intersect one another at the intersection area. The second and third imaging sensors' fields of view are aligned with target areas opposite their respective positions in the housing.

Abstract: A celestial direction finding system. The system includes an inclinometer, at least one camera for imaging both the daytime sky and the nighttime sky and a computer programmed with a sun, moon and star catalog and algorithms for automatically determining directions based on positions of celestial bodies imaged by at least one camera and incline positions measured by the inclinometer. In a preferred embodiment all of the above features are combined in a single battery operated miniature celestial direction finding module. Geographical positions of nearby objects can be determined with the addition of a rangefinder and knowledge of the geographical position of the camera. The geographical position of the system in preferred embodiments can be determined with the addition of a GPS unit.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for distinguishing between animals depicted in one or more images, based upon one or more taxonomic groups. The method comprises receiving image data comprising a plurality of parts, each part depicting a respective animal, determining one or more spectral properties of at least some pixels of each of the plurality of parts, and allocating each of the plurality parts to one of a plurality of sets based on the determined spectral properties, such that animals depicted in parts allocated to one set belong to a different taxonomic group than animals depicted in parts allocated to a different set.

Abstract: An orbital debris detection system positionable on a satellite launchable into an earth orbit includes a light source having a collimated light output, a curved mirror for receiving the collimated light output and forming a light sheet outside the satellite, and a scattered light detector for detecting a scattered light from the light sheet resulting from orbital debris intersecting the light sheet and scattering light toward the detector. The system can provide damage attribution on a space vehicle (whether it was just hit by a piece of debris), data gathering for debris models (time, location, approximate debris size, direction of trajectory) that are starved for information on small (<1 cm) debris pieces, measuring density and distribution of predominantly small (<1 cm) orbital debris in a debris cloud (e.g. a cloud that is the result of a satellite collision), and monitoring the performance of orbital debris removal efforts that target small debris.

Abstract: A portable, aerial, dual-swath photogrammetric imaging system comprising twin nadir pointing CCD cameras for simultaneously acquiring twin adjacent digital images for merging into a large panorama. A pair of lens shifters symmetrically shift twin images to the left and right sides of the focal points of two parallel lenses to extend imaging swathwidth. The twin adjacent images of the imaging system have a strip of narrow overlap at the center of the whole scene that are reserved for photogrammetric processing and stitching twin images into a seamless panorama. Each camera is connected to an embedded computer which controls imaging data acquisition, attaches GPS/IMU measurements, generates KML metadata files for its snapshots, and stores acquired images and metadata into removable SSDs. Direct geo-referenced panoramic digital stills are immediately registered on to Google™ Earth precisely. Its images can be further processed for advanced mapping, change detection and GIS applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for creating data products in real-time with the aid of a ground station system. The method includes the steps of monitoring one or more communication links for newly captured sensor data and positional data of oblique images, saving the sensor data and positional data to one or more directories of one or more computer readable media, monitoring the one or more directories of one or more computer readable media for sensor data and positional data, processing the sensor data and positional data to create one or more data products for use by one or more mapping and exploitation systems responsive to the sensor data and positional data being saved in the one or more directories, and storing the one or more data products to one or more directories of one or more computer readable media.

Abstract: System and method for detecting adverse atmospheric conditions ahead of an aircraft. The system has multiple, infrared cameras 8 adjusted to spatially detect infrared radiance in different bands of infrared light, wherein each camera is connected to an image processing computer that processes and combines the images, and generates video display signals for producing a video display which indicates the position of the adverse atmospheric conditions relative to the aircraft. Each of the cameras is provided with a respective filter adjusted to filter infrared light with a bandwidth corresponding to infrared bandwidth characteristics of an adverse atmospheric condition from a set of adverse atmospheric conditions. The image processing computer is adapted to identify adverse atmospheric conditions, said identifying being based on threshold conditions and using the detected infrared radiance, data from a look-up table and measured parameters including information on the position and/or attitude of the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for moving object detection using a mobile infrared camera are described. The methods include receiving multiple frames, each frame including an image of at least a portion of a planar surface, stabilizing two consecutive frames of the plurality of frames, the stabilizing comprising determining a transformation mapping a succeeding frame of the two consecutive frames to a preceding frame of the two consecutive frames and based on the transformation, warping the two consecutive frames to a reference frame of the plurality of frames, and detecting a movement of an object in the two consecutive frames, the movement based on a change in positions of the object in the preceding frame and the successive frame.

Abstract: A mobile station determines its orientation using an image of an object produced by the mobile station and a top view of that object obtained from an online server. The mobile station image is analyzed to identify lines on the object and to determine the direction of the lines with respect to the mobile station. The top view image, which may be a satellite image, is also analyzed to identify lines on the object that correspond to the lines identified in the mobile station image. The direction of the lines in the top view image are compared to the direction of lines in the mobile station image and based on their relative orientation the orientation of the mobile station may be determined. For example, the difference between the preliminary and corrected orientations may be stored as a calibration factor and used to correct subsequent orientation measurements from orientation sensors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide, from data from a single sensor, high-resolution imagery at a first frame rate, such as typical video frame rate, and lower-resolution imagery at a second frame rate, which is higher than the first rate. In one embodiment, the first frame rate data can be viewed by a user and the second frame rate data can be processed to identify an event of interest, such as pulsed light.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for improving visibility of a roadway using an improved visibility system. The method comprising receiving data from a plurality of fog detectors located proximate a roadway and determining, based on the data from the plurality of fog detectors, that fog is present about the roadway. The method further comprising obtaining, after the determining that fog is present about the roadway, a plurality of images of the roadway by activating a plurality of cameras located proximate the roadway. The method further comprising creating a composite image by combining two or more of the plurality of images, wherein the composite image depicts the roadway unobstructed by fog and transmitting the composite image to a display device located in a vehicle traveling along the roadway.

Abstract: A method for moving object detection, comprising generating a time series of multi-exposures of scenes, each multi-exposure of a scene comprising a sequence of at least two at least partially overlapping images of that scene captured in rapid succession, wherein the time series of multi-exposures periodically revisits substantially the same scenes, detecting moving objects within each multi-exposure by comparing its sequence of overlapping images, and tracking objects by comparing moving objects detected within multi-exposures of substantially the same scenes.

Abstract: A wide field of view monocentric lens system for an infrared aerial reconnaissance camera includes front and rear lens shell elements and a core lens element, with the number of front and rear shell lens elements depending on the IR band of interest (LWIR, MWIR or SWIR). Infrared radiation entering the monocentric lens passes sequentially through the front shell lens element(s), the core lens element, and the rear shell lens element(s) and is focused onto a curved focal surface. The front shell lens element(s) and the rear shell lens element(s) are made of material having a relatively higher refractive index or a relatively higher optical dispersion, or both, in the band of interest, as compared to the core lens element.

Abstract: A folding optical path transfer videometrics method for measuring the three-dimensional position and attitude of non-intervisible objects is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes the following: constructing a folding optic path between an invisible target and a reference, disposing transfer station comprising a camera, a cooperating mark and a laser range finder on each break point in the folding optic path. The method may further include processing an image shot by each camera, accounting for the distance measured by the laser range finder, obtaining a position and posture information corresponding to each adjacent transfer station, summing the values from the reference to the invisible target, and achieving three-dimensional position and posture of the invisible target relating to the reference.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the line of sight of an airborne camera fixed on a target by compensating for overflight velocity of the aircraft. The compensation system automatically commands an angular velocity of the line of sight to maintain the camera pointing at the target being overflown. This angular velocity of the line of sight is computed based upon the aircraft overflight velocity and upon a vector from the aircraft to the target. This automatic compensation for aircraft overflight velocity causes the line of sight to remain fixed upon the target. The compensation system drives a gimbal system upon which the camera is mounted to perform this compensation automatically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polychromatic imaging method, using a picture-taking instrument, which is placed on board an aircraft or satellite, which enables a reduction of the size of the instrument without reducing resolution of a final obtained image. To this end, a pupil of the instrument is sized for intermediate images that are limited to a first spectral sub-band without any image information being completely transmitted by the instrument for at least one wavelength that is located beyond said first spectral sub-band. Merging the intermediate image, inputted for the first spectral sub-band, with at least one other intermediate image, inputted for another spectral sub-band, recreates a polychromatic visual rendering that is satisfactory for the final image. Said other intermediate image includes the wavelength located beyond the first sub-band.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting still images and a video feed from an unmanned aerial vehicle to a ground station is disclosed. The system includes an aircraft including a digital video camera to capture still images and video frames of an object. A video encoder is coupled to the camera to provide a video output including video packets. A file server is coupled to the camera to provide a still image output including image data packets. A multiplexer is coupled to the video output and the still image output. The multiplexer produces a data transmission including the video packets and the image data packets. A transmitter sends the data transmission to the ground station. The ground station receives the data transmission and demultiplexes the packets into separate video and image data packets. The ground control station may select the ratio the video stream images in relation to the still image to be transmitted from the aircraft.

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: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage, a gimbal-mounted turret having one or more degrees of freedom relative to the fuselage, a camera disposed in the gimbal-mounted turret for motion therewith in the one or more degrees of freedom, and a central video image processor disposed exteriorly of the gimbal-mounted turret, the central video image processor configured to receive and process image data from the camera.

Abstract: An instrument for of observation images exhibits a high ground resolution and a high frequency of coverage of the Earth. Such an instrument includes a spatial images acquisition layer (1) including satellites (4), a terrestrial images processing layer (3), including images processing devices (5), and a telecommunications layer (2) that is suitable to ensure a transfer of the images from the spatial layer (1) to the terrestrial layer (3), wherein each satellite (4) includes at least one images acquisition device with fixed aim exhibiting a spatial resolution of the order of one meter; each images processing device (5) includes at least one communications line (8) coupling the images processing device (5) and at least one immediately adjacent images processing device, a processing unit that is suitable to process the images received, element for storage of the processed images, and a connection to a digital network.

Abstract: Vehicle attitude is estimated relative to a ground surface over which the vehicle is traveling. An actual image of the ground surface over which the vehicle is traveling is compared with stored or predicted model images of the ground surface. The model images have corresponding known vehicle attitudes associated therewith. For one of the model images that most closely matches the actual image, the known vehicle attitude associated therewith is an estimate of an actual vehicle attitude relative to the ground surface over which the vehicle is traveling.

Abstract: A system for enhancing video can insert graphics, in perspective, into the video where the positions of the graphics are dependent on sensor measurements of the locations and/or attitudes of objects and the movable camera capturing the video.

Abstract: A passive automatic target recognition (ATR) system includes a range map processor configured to generate range-to-pixel map data based on digital elevation map data and parameters of a passive image sensor. The passive image sensor is configured to passively acquire image data. The passive ATR system also includes a detection processor configured to identify a region of interest (ROI) in the passively acquired sensor image data based on the range-to-pixel map data, and an ATR processor configured to generate an ATR decision for the ROI.

Abstract: A method and a system for vicarious characterization of a remote sensing sensor are described. The system includes a plurality of reflective mirrors configured and arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto a remotely located radiation sensor. The plurality of mirrors are spaced apart so as to obtain a plurality of distinct spot images on the remotely located radiation sensor. The system further includes a processor configured to analyze the plurality of spot images by fitting the images to obtain a point spread function of the remote sensing sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus to generate visualizations of aerial imagery capable of simulating movement as if the image capturing device had captured image frames at a much higher rate than the rate captured. More specifically, the visualizations of the aerial imagery which can include orthogonal approaching and departing view perspectives to generate simulated smooth flyby videos.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus to obtain precise location and orientation of an aerial imaging platform and photographs taken from its cameras via image pattern matching using mathematical algorithms and known locations of artifacts. More specifically, software techniques to implement freely available global road mapping data to enable low cost and highly automated registration of aerial images that include highly accurate positional data.

Abstract: Any given part is cut out from a distorted circular image photographed by use of a fisheye lens and converted into a planar regular image with less distortion. A virtual sphere H having a radius R on a distorted circular image S on an XY plane is defined, thereby allowing a user to designate a cut-out center point P, a magnification m, and a planar inclination angle ?. A visual line vector n passing through an intersecting point Q immediately above the point P is determined to define an UV orthogonal coordinate system having an orientation depending on the angle ? on a plane orthogonal to a visual line vector n at a point G in which a distance between two points OG is given as m·R. The UV orthogonal coordinate system is curved along the side face C of a “virtual cylindrical column in which the point G forms one point on the side face to have a straight line V? parallel to the V axis and also passing through the point O as a central axis,” thereby defining the UV curved coordinate system.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may be employed to manage and control imaging sensors (e.g., such as gimbaled video image sensors), and/or manage and control the data produced by such imaging sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments of a rolling-shutter imaging system with synchronized scanning illumination and methods for higher-resolution imaging are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the imaging system includes a focal plane array (FPA) and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to activate only a portion of the FPA during an integration time. The imaging system also includes a scanner synchronized with the ROIC to illuminate only a portion of a sensor field-of-view (FOV) of the FPA within a scene that corresponds to at least the activated portion of the FPA. The imaging system may also include beamforming optics to generate a beam of light to illuminate the portion of the sensor FOV corresponding to portion of the FPA that is activated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing stereoscopic imaging. The method may involve obtaining a first image of a scene, at a first time, using a camera disposed on a platform, where the distance between the camera and the scene is changing. The camera may be used to obtain a second image of the scene, at a second time, with one of the first and second images being larger than the other. One of the images that is larger than the other may be resized so that the sizes of the two images are substantially similar. Both of the images may be rotated a predetermined degree so that the images form a stereo pair that may be viewed with a stereoscope viewing component or made into an anaglyph for viewing with an anaglyph viewing component.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle image processing system includes a digital camera mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle, an autopilot controller installed in the unmanned aerial vehicle and pre-loaded with a base image, and a computer device. The autopilot controller programs a flight path as a series of mission lags to cover a target polygon on the base image in a lawnmower pattern for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to perform a flight mission in which the autopilot controller records plural GPS/INS data and triggers the digital camera to take plural photos which are further calibrated to generate plural calibrated photos corresponding to the plural GPS/INS data, respectively. The computer device processes the plural calibrated photos to generate plural projected photos by using the corresponding plural GPS/INS data, respectively, and stitches the plural projected photos to a mosaic image by a photo-stitching process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera system having a compound array of imaging sensors disposed in a retinal configuration. The system comprises a concave housing. A first imaging sensor is centrally disposed along the housing. A second imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor. The focal axis of the second imaging sensor intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within an intersection area. A third imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor opposite the second imaging sensor. The third imaging sensor has a focal axis that intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within the intersection area.

Abstract: Image capture systems and methods may include one or more video capture devices capable of capturing one or more video frames. The video frames may include geographic position data and orientation data associated therewith, and may be stored on one or more non-transient computer readable medium. The computer system may marshal each video frame to one or more processors from a bank of processors for geo-referencing and overlaying of geographic information system (GIS) data on the video frames in real time.

Abstract: An image-based vehicle maneuvering assistant method and system are provided in the present invention, in which images captured by a single image sensing device is processed to determine the changes with respect time by a controller having capability of image processing and identification and distance estimation in image space for providing a complete assisting image-information while the carrier is maneuvering. By means of the presented method of the presented invention, the system is capable of generating track of the carrier, view point transformation, and identifying the characteristic object in the image so as to performing the distance estimation. The present invention may be utilized and applied in different kinds of carrier type to solve the problem of guiding of carrier maneuvering, and assist the carrier lane changing, parking assistance and blind spot detection.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a cabin of an aircraft or spacecraft, which apparatus comprises a first control device for actuating at least one camera by at least a first control signal, which control device is configured to provide the first control signal as a function of at least a second control signal for actuating at least one lighting device of the cabin.

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 aerial photographing image pickup method comprises a step of making a flying object fly meanderingly, a step of taking the image at each vertex where a direction is changed in the meandering flight, a step of extracting feature points from a common overlay portion of the images taken from at least three adjacent vertices, a step of determining two images of two vertices in the images as one set and acquiring positional information of the two vertices by a GPS device for each set regarding at least two sets, a step of performing photogrammetry of the measuring points corresponding to the feature points based on positional information and based on the feature points of the two images and a step of determining the feature points when the surveying results of the measuring points coincide with each other in at least the two sets as tie points for image combination.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus for displaying images of image files including an image of a target point to be observed by using image files located adjacent to the target point. A method of reproducing an image of an image file on an electronic map including the image file so that position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map includes: (a) selecting a target point to be observed on the electronic map and obtaining position information of the target point; (b) setting a search range of image files on the electronic map; (c) searching for image files including an image of the target point within the set search range; and (d) displaying images of the found image files on the electronic map.

Abstract: A system for tracking and video surveillance using an aerial videographic platform. The system may be adapted to follow a user possessing a GPS device with a transmitter, such as an advanced cellular telephone. The aerial platform may be commanded by the user to follow the user during a course of time, such as during the completion of an outdoor activity. The aerial platform may use a video camera to record the user while the user is engaged in the activity.

Abstract: Particularly applicable to the implementation of sustainability requirements concerning on the promotion of the use of bioproduct from renewable sources, through the system and method described is possible to ensure that the origin of raw materials is sustainable (according to a previously defined sustainability requirements), avoiding travel to the area of interest, thus saving time and economic costs and preventing errors and fraud. More specifically, the system and method object of the invention are particularly applicable for identifying those areas that comply with said sustainability requirements. Said sustainability requirements state that raw material intended for bioproduct production shall not be made from lands with a high biodiversity, high carbon stock or peatlands, and bearing in mind additionally the land use requirement.

Abstract: Accurate measurements of flight path obstructions are taken from a moving aerial platform. Platform position, including altitude, is combined with dynamic data including target distance and target elevation data to calculate obstruction height or altitude. An optical subsystem on the aerial platform images the obstructions and provides a video stream showing the obstructions. The video stream and aerial platform data are wirelessly communicated to a control terminal where an operator observes a presentation of obstructions and obstruction altitudes or heights. The operator can issue commands to the aerial platform.

Abstract: A depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. The depth image may then be analyzed to determine whether the depth image includes a human target. For example, the depth image may include one or more targets including a human target and non-human targets. Each of the targets may be flood filled and compared to a pattern to determine whether the target may be a human target. If one or more of the targets in the depth image includes a human target, the human target may be scanned. A skeletal model of the human target may then be generated based on the scan.