Variable field of view multi-imager
A multi-imager assembly including a plurality of imagers, a chassis, a drive assembly, and a controller. The plurality of imagers is operable to produce a composite image, with each of the plurality of imagers having optical zoom capability such that each of the plurality of imagers has a variable field of view. The chassis movably supports the plurality of imagers, and the drive assembly is operable to move the plurality of imagers while supported by the chassis. The controller is operable to coordinate movement of the plurality of imagers based at least in part upon the variable field of view of each of the plurality of imagers to produce the composite image.
1. A multi-imager assembly comprising:
a plurality of imagers, each of the plurality of imagers having optical zoom such that each of the plurality of imagers has a variable field of view;
a chassis movably supporting the plurality of imagers;
a drive assembly having a motor configured to drive movement of each of the plurality of imagers while supported by the chassis; and
a controller electrically connected to the motor and to the plurality of imagers, and configured to coordinate movement of the plurality of imagers based at least in part on a selected field of view of each of the plurality of imagers to produce a composite image;
wherein the controller is configured to vary the selected field of view of each of the plurality of imagers from a first selected field of view to a second selected field of view that is wider than the first selected field of view, and wherein the controller is further configured to drive the motor to move the imagers so that an angular spacing between respective field of view centerlines of the imagers increases when the field of view of the imagers changes from the first selected field of view to the second selected field of view, and decreases when the field of view of the imagers changes from the second selected field of view to the first selected field of view; and
wherein the first selected field of view of each of the imagers provides a composite image having a first composite image panoramic angle, and wherein the second selected field of view of each of the imagers provides a composite image having a second composite image panoramic angle that is wider than the first composite image angle, and wherein a linear or near-linear relationship exists between the selected field of view of each of the imagers and the composite image panoramic angle for all selected fields of view between the first and second selected fields of views.
2. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein a mounting member is pivotably coupled to the chassis.
3. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly has a plurality of gears configured to drive movement of the plurality of imagers.
4. The multi-imager assembly of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of gears includes a first pair of gears and a second pair of gears in intermeshing relation and having different numbers of teeth.
5. The multi-imager assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first and second pair of gears have a gear ratio of 3-to-1.
6. The multi-imager assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first pair of gears each has at least seventy-two teeth and the second pair of gears each has at least twenty-four teeth.
7. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the chassis is configured to tilt about a horizontal axis of the multi-imager assembly.
8. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the chassis is configured to pan about a vertical axis of the multi-imager assembly.
9. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of imagers are each individually rotatable about a respective vertical axis, and wherein rotation is coordinated by the controller based on the selected field of view of each of the plurality of imagers.
10. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of imagers are positioned inside a dome structure.
11. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of imagers has at least two imagers.
12. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of imagers has at least four imagers.
13. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of imagers includes a lens portion having a lens actuator and a lens, the controller being electrically connected to the lens actuator.
14. The multi-imager assembly of claim 13 , wherein the lens actuator drives the lens to produce the selected field of view.
15. The multi-imager assembly of claim 14 , wherein the lens produces the selected field of view from a wide field of view angle to a narrow field of view angle.
16. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed in an open loop in which movement of the plurality of imagers is calibrated in a factory setting.
17. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed in a closed loop in which the controller receives feedback from a position sensor on at least one of the plurality of imagers.
18. A method of providing a composite image with a variable field of view, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of imagers, each of the plurality of imagers having optical zoom such that each of the plurality of imagers has a variable field of view;
providing a chassis movably supporting the plurality of imagers;
providing a drive assembly having a motor configured to drive movement of each of the plurality of imagers while supported by the chassis; and
coordinating movement of the plurality of imagers based at least in part on a selected field of view of each of the plurality of imagers to produce the composite image;
wherein coordinating movement is achieved with a controller configured to vary the selected field of view of each of the plurality of imagers from a first selected field of view to a second selected field of view that is wider than the first selected field of view, and wherein the controller is further configured to drive the motor to move the imagers so that an angular spacing between respective field of view centerlines of the imagers increases when the field of view of the imagers changes from the first selected field of view to the second selected field of view, and decreases when the field of view of the imagers changes from the second selected field of view to the first selected field of view; and
wherein the first selected field of view of each of the imagers provides a composite image having a first composite image panoramic angle, and wherein the second selected field of view of each of the imagers provides a composite image having a second composite image panoramic angle that is wider than the first composite image angle, and wherein a linear or near-linear relationship exists between the selected field of view of each of the imagers and the composite image panoramic angle for all selected fields of view between the first and second selected fields of views.
19. The multi-imager assembly of claim 1 , wherein the field of view of each of the plurality of imagers is continuously variable between the first selected field of view and the second selected field of view, and wherein the angular spacing between respective field of view centerlines of the imagers is also continuously variable to achieve a continuously interconnected panoramic view.