Unmanned aerial vehicles supporting imagery intelligence using the structured light technology

One of the possible tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is field capturing of object images. The field capturing of object images (scenes) is possible owing to the UAV equipped with photographic cameras, TV cameras, infrared cameras or synthetic aperture radars (SAR). The result of the recognition is a metric mapping of space, i.e. 2D flat images. In order to increase the quality of image recognition, it is necessary to search for and develop stereoscopic visualization with the possibility of its mobile use. A pioneering approach presented in the research paper is using a UAV with an imagery intelligence system based on structured light technology for air reconnaissance of object over a selected area or in a given direction in the field. The outcome of imagery intelligence is a three-dimensional (3D imaging) information on the geometry of an observed scene. The visualization with a stereoscopic interface proposed in the work allows for a natural perception of the depth of the scene and mutual spatial relationships, as well as seeing which objects are closer and which are further. The essence of the article is to present the application of three-dimensional vision measurement technology on UAVs. The paper presents an analysis of the possibilities of using UAVs for image recognition and a method of image recognition based on the technology of structural lighting using the method of projection of Gray’a fringes and codes. The designed image recognition system based on the structural lighting technology is described. It also discusses task modules forming a measuring head, i.e., projection, detection and calculation modules, and the exchange of control or measurement data between imaging system components. It presents the results of tests on the possibility of rapidly acquiring images using a UAV. The test results and the analyses indicate that using a UAV with an imaging technology based on structural light can contribute to improving the abilities to detect, identify, locate and monitor objects at close range, within a selected direction outdoors or indoors