Image monitoring and display from unmanned vehicle

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.

1 . An image capture and display system comprising:
 an image capture sensor positioned on a vehicle, the image capture sensor comprising an arcuate continuous image sensing member, and a transmitter for transmitting images from the image capture sensor; and   a monitor display positioned remotely from the image capture sensor, the monitor display comprising a display monitor having an arcuate continuous image configuration substantially corresponding to that of the image capture sensor, and a receiver for receiving the images corresponding to the transmitter.   
     
     
         2 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the monitor display is positioned at a ground based location. 
     
     
         4 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor cumulatively captures less than a 360 degree field of view. 
     
     
         5 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor are cameras for capturing video images in the visual spectrum. 
     
     
         6 . An image capture and display system as claimed in claim wherein the image capture sensor are infrared cameras for capturing images in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
         7 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor are night vision sensors for capturing video images in the visual spectrum. 
     
     
         8 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor are selected from the group consisting of: heat sensors, radiation sensors, pressure sensors, gaseous content sensors, humidity sensors, sonic sensors and EMF spectrometers. 
     
     
         9 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising image capture sensor of different types so that the system can simultaneously capture images of different conditions. 
     
     
         10 . An image capture and display system as claimed in claim  1  wherein the monitor display array defines an internal space capable of accommodating an operator of the system. 
     
     
         11 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor comprises a frame member attached to the vehicle configured for mounting of the image sensing members thereon. 
     
     
         12 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of: manned aerial vehicle, glider, ground-based vehicle, water-based vehicle, and space vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor is located outside of an aerial vehicle and the monitor display array is located inside the same aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . An image capture and display system comprising:
 an image capture sensor for positioning on a vehicle, and at least one transmitter for transmitting images from the image capture sensor; and   a monitor display array for positioning remotely from the image capture sensor, the monitor display array comprising a display monitor for and corresponding to the image capture sensor, and a receiver for receiving the images corresponding to each transmitter.   
     
     
         15 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor comprises a generally circular sensor for capturing substantially 360 degree images. 
     
     
         16 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the display monitor is substantially circular in shape and displays the images in a substantially continuous 360 degree image. 
     
     
         17 . An image capture and display system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the image capture sensor comprises a generally spherical or partially spherical sensor for capturing substantially spherical images. 
     
     
         18 . An image capture and display system as claimed in claim willing the display monitor is substantially spherical or partially spherical in shape and displays the images in a substantially continuous 360 degree image. 
     
     
         19 . An image capture and display system as claimed  claim 1  wherein a plurality of image sensing members are provided to form the arcuate continuous image. 
     
     
         20 . An image capture and display system as claimed  claim 1  wherein a plurality of display monitors are provided which display the arcuate image.