Airborne and spaceborne imaging survey platform

US12366447B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Stuart William Nixon · Perth, AU
• Max Funck · Weimar, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 7, 2022
• Grant date: Jul 22, 2025
• Expiry date: Apr 12, 2044

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/10032
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An imaging survey platform utilizes imaging sensors arranged in one or more arcs to capture nadir and oblique views as required for photogrammetric processing into image maps and 3D surface maps, where a common primary lens subsystem is used by sensors within an arc. The primary lens subsystem can project onto a curved (e.g., spherical) surface rather than onto a planar surface. This solves a limiting first order optical problem for airborne or spaceborne image capture. To fill missing data between sensors edges on an arc, a second and offset arc of sensors or a scanning mirror in front of the primary mirror system can be used. Each imaging sensor can be mounted on and controlled by its own computer, with this subsystem in turn may be mounted onto the arc using piezoelectric actuators to fine tune alignment image sensor relative to the primary lens subsystem.