DE102005044404A1 - Actively adaptable camouflage system for static or moving object has computer that processes camera images of background, reproduces them correctly in respect of direction on LED modules attached to external surface of camouflaged object - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a computer that processes camera images (11) of the background (10) and reproduces them correctly in respect of direction on LED modules attached to the external surface of the camouflaged object. One or more cameras are attached to the object in a fixed or movable manner for acquiring the images of the background individually or in groups.

Description

The The invention relates to an actively adapting visual camouflage system, that the outer surface of a stationary or mobile stealth object independently and viewing direction dependent to the image and the illuminance of the respective background adapts this to the visual perception of external observers withdraws.

conventional Above all, camouflage for visually hiding objects is based in the military Range mainly on camouflage, camouflage nets or artificial Fog.

Camouflage and camouflage nets are based on the prevailing color scheme in the main area of application the camouflage object and thus provide a compromise An adaptation to local conditions is especially in mobile Tarn objects during the movement is not possible. Therefore, the effectiveness of the camouflage can vary depending on the current operational environment vary greatly. change the field of application of the camouflage object may be completely different designed camouflage or camouflage nets required. The artificial one Fog shrouded the stealth object only for a limited time, is itself very noticeable and therefore becomes special then used when the stealth object is already discovered and under protection of the fog must make a change of location.

Of the The invention is therefore based on the object to develop a camouflage system, that the outer surface of a Cloak object self-employed and viewing direction dependent to the color and illuminance of the respective background adapts this to the visual perception of external observers withdraws.

The The object is achieved in that Camera images of the surroundings of the Tarnobjekts from a computer machined and attached to the on the outer surface of the Tarnobjekts LED modules are faithfully reproduced.

A or multiple cameras with distance and light meter for Recording of the environmental images to be displayed are single or in groups either fixed or movable on the camouflage object or on one suitable place in its proximity appropriate.

Of the Computer is coupled with all cameras and LED modules, has and output elements for operating the components of the camouflage system, calculated with a processor and corresponding software equipped suitable for each LED module either from stored data a projection-friendly static camouflage or camouflage pattern or from the current camera image data the currently associated projection-compatible environment image and controls with the calculated Image data of each LED module separately in the environment adapted luminosity at.

The LED modules are color-capable, have the necessary for image reproduction Components and are preferably easily interchangeable on one Carrier frame attached to the camouflage object with pre-cabled mounting locations for the individual LED modules appropriate.

The LED modules will vary in shape and size Needed by the respective camouflage object, being standardized Module dimensions, connections and supporting frame grid the replacement and stocking of the LED modules facilitate.

To the Protection against moisture, dirt and mechanical damage are the LED modules provided with a transparent, low-reflection protective layer.

Instead of the LED modules can also other displays or projection means for image reproduction the outer surface of the Tarnobject be used, provided that in terms of image quality, luminosity and Robustness for suitable for this purpose.

The Camouflage system is over Battery or power generator or motorized vehicles over the On-board network supplied with energy.

at moving camouflage objects, the ground image is running with a camera running Recorded in front of the camouflage object in the direction of movement, by the computer evaluated and corresponding to the movement speed Time delay from the LED modules on top of the camouflage object faithfully reproduced.

at static camouflage objects, the floor image of the immediate environment or previously recorded the floor image of the site, evaluated by the computer and faithful to the LED modules on the top of the camouflage object played.

In undirected mode, the camouflage system is aligned with the main axes of the camouflage object and the LED modules on each outer surface of the camouflage object, after appropriate processing by the computer, the image of each of the reproduced on the opposite side.

in the Directed mode, the camouflage system is on a fixed point in the environment aligned and the associated Ambient image of the fixed-point-side of the camouflage object appropriate editing by the computer on all of this Fixed point made of visible LED modules on the camouflage object in accordance with the projection played. Can be coupled with motion and / or heat sensors the stealth system automatically detected in directional mode Align objects in the environment.

in the static mode is the camouflage system independent of always current camera images and it becomes a static camouflage image stored on the computer or camouflage patterns displayed on the LED modules.

By the camouflage system becomes the camouflage of a stationary or mobile camouflage object updated automatically and continuously to the respective environment. It can All land, air and water vehicles as well as stationary camouflage objects be equipped and retrofitted with this camouflage system.

For the camouflage system can largely commercial Components such as LED modules, cameras, actuators and computers are used and adapted to the requirements. The software to be developed to control the LED modules and cameras and to process the Image data is for adapted the respective camouflage object.

following Be exemplary embodiments of Invention explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

It demonstrate:

drawing 1: The components of the camouflage system

drawing 2: The functional principle of the camouflage system

Drawing 1 shows a vehicle equipped with the camouflage system ( 1 ) in cross section. The camouflage system consists of the camera head ( 2 ) with the integrated cameras ( 3 ), the servomotor ( 4 ), the computer ( 5 ) mounted on support frames on the outer surfaces of the tracked vehicle LED modules ( 6 ), the energy supply ( 7 ) and from the wiring of the components. The individual LED modules ( 6 ) are mounted on pre-wired support frames on the outer surfaces of the vehicle. In the camera head ( 2 ) connected to the servomotor ( 4 ) is horizontally rotatable, there are four cameras ( 3 ), which are aligned in the starting position in the main axes of the vehicle to the front, rear, left and right. The computer calculates from the background image recorded by each camera ( 5 ) running the appropriate images for each LED module. The individual LED modules are mounted on the top and side panels of the vehicle, each representing the background image calculated specifically by the computer for each LED module.

Drawing 2 clarifies the functional principle of the camouflage system, where for better clarity, the mode of operation only on the left side of the vehicle ( 8th ) is sketched. The tracked vehicle ( 1 ) is equipped with the camouflage system and is from the point of view of the observer ( 9 ) against the background ( 10 ). That of the in the camera head ( 2 ) in the direction of travel to the right-facing camera recorded background image ( 11 ) is used by the computer of the camouflage system suitable for each LED module on the side facing the observer ( 8th ) and reproduced there with the luminosity adapted to the environment. From an observer's perspective ( 12 ) is here equipped with the LED modules left vehicle side ( 8th ) one with the background ( 10 ) and the vehicle visually hardly recognizable.

1

tracked vehicle

2

camera head

3

camera

4

servomotor

5

computer

6

LED module

7

power supply

8th

left side of the vehicle

9

observer

10

background

11

background image

12

observers view

Claims (11)

Actively adaptive visual camouflage system that independently and visually adjusts the outer surface of a stationary or mobile Tarnobjekts to the image and the illuminance of the respective background and this so the visual perception external observer withdraws, characterized in that processed camera images of the environment of the Tarnobjekts from a computer and faithfully reproduced on the LED modules mounted on the outer surface of the camouflage object. Active adaptive visual camouflage system according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more cameras with distance and light meter for recording the reproduced environmental images individually or in groups either fixed or movable attached to the camouflage object or at a suitable location in the vicinity. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 2, characterized in that a computer with all cameras and LED modules is coupled, via Input and output elements to operate the components of the camouflage system, with suitable for a processor and the corresponding software for each LED module either from stored data a projection-friendly static camouflage or camouflage pattern or from the current camera image data the currently associated Projection-appropriate environment image calculated and calculated with the Image data of each LED module separately in the environment adapted luminosity controls. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the LED modules are farbbildfähig over the necessary for image reproduction Components and preferably easily replaceable on a fixed to the camouflage object Support frame with pre-wired mounting locations for the individual LED modules are attached. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the camouflage system via battery or power generator or motorized vehicles over the Electrical system is supplied with energy. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that with moving camouflage objects with a camera running the bottom image in the direction of movement in front of the Stealth object recorded, evaluated by the computer and with the Movement speed corresponding time delay of the LED modules reproduced faithfully on the top of the Tarnobjekts becomes. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in static camouflage objects the floor image of the immediate environment or in advance the floor image recorded by the site, evaluated by the computer and by the LED modules on the top of the Tarnobjekts is faithfully reproduced. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in non-directional mode the Tarnsystem is aligned to the main axes of the Tarnobjekts and on the LED modules on each outer surface of the Tarnobjekts after appropriate Edited by the computer respectively the image of the on the opposite Page captured environment image is played back. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the directional mode the camouflage system on a fixed point aligned in the environment and the associated environment image the fixed point away side of the Tarnobjekts after appropriate processing through the computer on all visible from this fixed point LED modules reproduced on the camouflage object in a projection-oriented manner becomes. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the camouflage system with movement and / or heat sensors is paired and automatically detected in directional mode Aligning objects in the environment. Active adaptive visual camouflage system after one the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the static mode, the camouflage system independent of always current camera images stored on the computer static camouflage pattern or camouflage pattern on the LED modules.