Camera systems for tracking objects from an aircraft
AssigneeAerial View Systems, Inc.
InventorsJoseph F. Brunner, Jr., John C. Reineck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A camera system for tracking a target from an aircraft includes a camera with a moveable head, a user interface, and a control circuit. The target has target data indicative of a position of the target, and the aircraft includes a navigation system for generating aircraft data indicative of a current position of the aircraft. The user interface generates the target data, and the control circuit generates pointing data based on the aircraft data and the target data. The pointing data is provided to the camera to cause the camera to direct the camera head at the target. A video display within the aircraft may then display the images from the camera.
Claims20
A camera system for tracking a target from an aircraft, the target having target data indicative of a position of the target, the aircraft including a navigation system for generating aircraft data indicative of a current position of the aircraft, the system comprising:
- a camera with a movable camera head;
- a user interface for generating the target data;
- and
- a control circuit for communicating with the navigation system, the user interface, and the camera and for generating pointing data based on the aircraft data and the target data;
- the pointing data for causing the camera to direct the camera head at the target;
- and
- the camera for receiving the pointing data from the control circuit and for moving the camera head accordingly.
A camera system for tracking a target from an aircraft, the target having target data indicative of a position of the target, the aircraft including a navigation system for generating aircraft data indicative of a current position of the aircraft, the system comprising:
- a camera with a movable camera head;
- a user interface for generating the target data;
- and
- a control circuit for communicating with the navigation system, the user interface, and the camera and for generating pointing data based on the aircraft data and the target data;
- the pointing data for causing the camera to direct the camera head at the target;
- and
- the camera for receiving the pointing data from the control circuit and for moving the camera head accordingly;
- wherein the user interface includes:
- a video display in communication with the camera;
- a memory for storing target data for a plurality of targets;
- and
- a scan icon for selecting one of the plurality of targets;
- the user interface for generating the target data when the scan icon is actuated to select one of the targets.
A camera system for tracking a target from an aircraft, the target having target data indicative of a position of the target, the aircraft including a navigation system for generating aircraft data indicative of a current position of the aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of locations thereon, the system comprising:
- a camera with a movable camera head;
- a user interface for generating the target data, and a control circuit for communicating with the navigation system, the user interface, and
- the camera and for generating pointing data based on the aircraft data and the target data;
- the pointing data for causing the camera to direct the camera head at the target;
- and
- the camera for receiving the pointing data from the control circuit and for moving the camera head accordingly;
- wherein the user interface includes:
- a video display in communication with the camera;
- a memory for storing target data for a plurality of targets;
- and
- a plurality of set-location icons each corresponding to one of the locations on the aircraft and for selecting one of the locations on the aircraft;
- the user interface for generating the target data when one of the set-location icons is actuated.
A camera module for mounting to a skin of an aircraft, the camera module comprising:
- a camera including a movable camera head;
- a housing including a body and a dome each having an annular flange for mating with each other, the housing for receiving the camera such that the camera head is disposed within the dome;
- an annular plate for being received about the dome and for mating with the annular flange of the dome such that the annular flange of the dome is disposed between the annular flange of the body and the annular plate;
- and
- the annular flange of the body including a plurality of through holes and the annular flange of the dome including a plurality of through holes for aligning with the through holes of the annular flange of the body when mated;
- the annular plate including a plurality of tapped holes for aligning with the through holes of the annular flange of the dome when mated;
- and
- a plurality of fasteners each respectively for extending through one of the through holes of the annular flange of the body and through one of the through holes of the annular flange of the dome and for mating with one of the tapped holes of the annular plate.
A method for tracking a target with a camera on an aircraft, the aircraft including a user interface for generating target data indicative of a position of the target, and a navigation system for generating aircraft data indicative of a current position of the aircraft in real time, the camera including a movable head, the method comprising:
- receiving the target data from the user interface;
- receiving the aircraft data from the navigation system;
- generating pointing data based on the aircraft data and the target data;
- and
- providing the pointing data to the camera for moving the camera head accordingly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.