Ultra-wide view angle imaging device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging apparatus capable of easily and satisfactorily synthesizing images photographed by respective image acquisition parts and having no characteristic unevenness without performing complicated image processing, miniaturizing a system, and acquiring a high-quality ultra-wide angle image, and to provide a method of manufacturing the same.SOLUTION: The imaging device includes a plurality of line-shaped flexible substrates (10) constituting a curved body or a predetermined region of an outer surface of a part of the curved body, pixel areas (5) formed along outer surfaces of the flexible substrates (10) in a longitudinal direction and having a plurality of imaging pixels arranged therein, and element lenses (4) disposed in the respective pixel areas (5) so as to form a subject image in the pixel areas (5) formed in the respective flexible substrates (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for acquiring images with an extremely wide field of view (angle of view), such as a 360-degree panoramic image, and more particularly to an ultra-wide field of view imaging device in which multiple lenses are arranged around the periphery of the imaging device, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] As imaging methods for acquiring ultra-wide-field images such as 360-degree panoramic images, various imaging technologies have been proposed so far, such as a method using a lens with an extremely wide angle of view, such as a fisheye lens, and a single image sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below), and a multi-lens method that combines images obtained by using multiple cameras to capture images in different directions (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below). In the above-mentioned multi-camera system using multiple cameras, various omnidirectional imaging systems have been reported, ranging from highly portable systems equipped with two small cameras to systems with at least several cameras arranged on the circumference or on each face of a polyhedron. In particular, since the use of multiple cameras makes it possible to suppress image distortion and increase the number of pixels, imaging devices for acquiring high-quality ultra-wide-field images have been put to practical use, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1 below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-315380 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-250193 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Insta360 TITAN - Professional 360° VR 3D Camera with 11K Capture" (Action Camera 360° Camera - Insta360 Official Website)<URL:https: / / www.bing.com / aclick?ld> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the imaging method using a fisheye lens or the like described in Patent Document 1 can capture ultra-wide-angle images simply by attaching a fisheye lens to a conventional camera, but it is not suitable for achieving high image quality because it causes significant distortion at the periphery of the image. Furthermore, the image systems using multiple cameras described in Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 1 have the following problems. That is, when multiple cameras are arranged facing different directions, it is difficult to align them at the pixel level, and therefore cumbersome image correction processing is required to correct misalignment of the composite image, etc. Furthermore, if there is an external impact or a slight misalignment in the mechanism supporting the cameras, it becomes necessary to further align the images captured by each camera.

[0006] Furthermore, each camera needs to be positioned facing a different direction, but generally each camera is packaged with an image sensor and optical system built in, so the image sensors cannot be arranged densely. In addition, the system becomes larger because it is necessary to prevent interference between adjacent cameras.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device capable of acquiring high-quality ultra-wide-angle images, which can easily and effectively combine images captured by each image acquisition unit without any complicated image processing and can also achieve a compact system, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device of the present invention comprises: a plurality of linear flexible substrates that form a predetermined area on the outer surface of a curved body or a part of a curved body; a pixel area formed on an outer surface of the flexible substrate along the longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate, the pixel area including an array of a plurality of imaging pixels; a lens element disposed for each pixel area so as to form an object image on each of the pixel areas formed along the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of linear flexible substrates; The plurality of linear flexible substrates are characterized in that, when unfolded, they are arranged closely together on one plane. Here, the "close proximity" does not matter whether the plurality of linear flexible substrates are continuous with each other or whether the flexible substrates are separated from each other. In this case, it is preferable that the flexible substrates are formed from the same material.

[0009] It is also preferable that the plurality of linear flexible substrates are continuous on one plane when unfolded. The flexible substrate is preferably made of a flexible plastic, and in this case, the flexible substrate is preferably made of a film-like plastic.

[0010] Furthermore, the plurality of linear flexible substrates can be formed so as to spread radially from a predetermined point when unfolded. In this case, it is preferable that the distal ends of the radially spreading linear flexible substrates are formed so as to reconvene at a point different from the predetermined point when assembled into the curved body or a part of the curved body. Furthermore, the plurality of linear flexible substrates can be formed so that, in the unfolded state, the plurality of flexible substrates arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions intersect with each other.

[0011] On the other hand, the method for manufacturing an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device of the present invention includes the steps of: A first step of cutting a shape corresponding to a developed figure of a plurality of line-shaped flexible substrates that constitute a predetermined area of ​​the outer surface of a curved body or a part of a curved body from a flexible plastic material; a second step of forming a plurality of pixel areas, each of which includes a plurality of imaging pixels, each of which includes a TFT, a pixel circuit, and wiring, at a position corresponding to a front surface side of each of the flexible substrates in a developed diagram of the flexible substrates, along the longitudinal direction of each of the flexible substrates; a third step of bending the shape corresponding to the developed figure of the flexible substrate to form a three-dimensional shape along a predetermined region of the outer surface of the curved body or a part of the curved body; a fourth step of arranging element lenses in each pixel area, each pixel area being formed on the outer surface of the curved body or a part of the curved body and including an array of imaging pixels, so as to form an image of a subject in the pixel area; Of these four steps, one step of the first group of steps, which consists of two steps, the first step and the second step, is carried out first and then the third step and the fourth step are carried out in this order. Here, when bending or cutting the shape corresponding to the unfolded figure of the flexible substrate to form a three-dimensional shape that is a predetermined area on the outer surface of the curved body or a part of the curved body, it is preferable to attach the flexible substrate to a base that has the same shape as the curved body or a part of the curved body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device and its manufacturing method of the present invention, the device is provided with a plurality of linear flexible substrates on which a plurality of pixel areas are arranged in the longitudinal direction, constituting a predetermined region of the outer surface of a curved body or a portion of a curved body, and when unfolded, the linear flexible substrates are shaped so that they are arranged close to each other on a single plane. Therefore, when a curved body or a three-dimensional shape that becomes a part of a curved body is formed, it is easy to accurately align the pixel areas on adjacent flexible substrates. Note that this means that even in cases where each flexible substrate of the developed figure of the flexible substrate is cut from one another and attached to a base having the same shape as the curved body or a part of a curved body, it is possible to accurately cut the flexible substrate along the boundary between the flexible substrates of the developed figure, making it easier to accurately align adjacent flexible substrates compared to conventional techniques without requiring complicated image correction processing.

[0013] Furthermore, since wiring can be drawn out from the spaces between the flexible substrates or from the backside of the flexible substrates, it is easy to miniaturize the system. Therefore, the ultra-wide-angle imaging device and its manufacturing method of the present invention can easily and effectively synthesize images without misalignment and without complicated image processing, and can also achieve a compact system. Furthermore, it can acquire high-quality ultra-wide-angle images. Furthermore, if each of the above-mentioned flexible substrates is made of the same material, the variation in device characteristics in the pixel area of ​​each flexible substrate can be reduced compared to conventional techniques that use multiple cameras. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic three-dimensional configuration of an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device (a spherical example) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the layered relationship of a substrate, a pixel, a photoelectric conversion film, a counter electrode, and element lenses in a part of one pixel area of ​​the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing two examples ((a) and (b)) of an image sensor belt formed by combining multiple flexible substrates of the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device shown in FIG. 1, laid out on a single plane. [Figure 4]10 shows four examples of a curved body or a part of a curved body in the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific configurations of an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device and a manufacturing method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to this embodiment is a device that can capture an image with a wider field of view (angle of view) than any other imaging method used in television cameras.

[0016] <Ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device> Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for facilitating understanding of the arrangement of each component in one image sensor 20 of this ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device 100 (in reality, it is also possible to have a structure in which each component (member) is stacked without any gaps between them). Note that Figs. 1 and 2 are conceptually represented to explain this embodiment, and there is no strict positional relationship between the two.

[0017] First, the concept of the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to this embodiment will be briefly explained with reference to FIG. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device 100 according to this embodiment is an imaging device made of a curved body (a sphere in the example of FIG. 1), and is formed by cutting out image sensor belts 50, 50a, each of which has a plurality of linear flexible substrates 10, 10a connected together, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), from a continuous plastic film or the like. Each linear flexible substrate 10, 10a of the cut-out image sensor belts 50, 50a is curved to define a predetermined region on the outer surface of the curved body, thereby forming a curved imaging surface 3 on the outer surface of the curved body (a sphere in the example of FIG. 1) as shown in FIG. That is, as mentioned above, in the prior art, a wide-angle imaging device equipped with a group of multiple cameras whose shooting directions are changed sequentially is known, but in this embodiment, an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device 100 as shown in Figure 1 is provided, in which image sensors 20, 20a (element lenses 4, 4a are arranged at the top) are arranged at each position (each direction) on the surface of a curved body.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the image sensors 20, 20a are arranged on multiple linear flexible substrates 10, 10a formed on a single plane, but by curving each of these flexible substrates 10, 10a and forming them to form a predetermined area on the outer surface of a curved body (for example, by sequentially attaching them to the outer surface of a sphere), an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device can be constructed that can capture images in multiple directions simultaneously, and high-quality images with little distortion can be obtained.In other words, by arranging the image sensors 20, 20a approximately uniformly over the entire area of ​​the sphere and each individually capturing an image in a predetermined direction (configuring the distributed image sensors 20, 20a to be able to capture images in any direction), a multi-eye all-sky imaging device can be constructed.

[0019] By bending an image sensor belt 50 formed by radially assembling flexible substrates 10 as shown in FIG. 3(a), it is easy to form a predetermined area on the outer surface of a sphere (see FIG. 4(a)) or a hemisphere (see FIG. 4(b)). On the other hand, by bending an image sensor belt 50a formed by vertically and horizontally assembling flexible substrates 10a as shown in FIG. 3(b), it is easy to form a predetermined area on the outer surface of an ellipsoid (see FIG. 4(c)) or a doughnut (toroidal) (see FIG. 4(d)). When forming these shapes, the number and positions of the image sensors 20, 20a on the flexible substrates 10, 10a are optional and can be selected appropriately depending on the image to be acquired. For example, if it is desired to reduce the angle of view of each elemental image and acquire an image with less distortion, the image sensors 20, 20a can be arranged more closely on the flexible substrates 10, 10a. Furthermore, the images captured on each surface have overlapping portions between adjacent image sensors 20, 20a, and the position of pixel 1 in the pixel area 5 of each image sensor 20, 20a can be easily identified because the flexible substrates 10, 10a are originally continuous. Furthermore, the curved base to which the flexible substrates 10, 10a are attached may be shaped so that the entire surface is closed, or may have a skeleton structure with an area to which the flexible substrates 10, 10a are attached. Furthermore, if the flexible substrates 10, 10a can maintain (stand on their own) the desired curved shape when bent, it is possible to form the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device 100 without using a base. Furthermore, it is not necessarily required that the flexible substrates 10, 10a cover the entire surface of the curved body.

[0020] Next, a typical example of the arrangement of the components of one image sensor 20, 20a on the flexible substrate 10, 10a will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the components constituting each image sensor 20, 20a are, for example, an imaging device that receives light from above in the drawing and captures the subject image information carried by that light, as shown in part in Figure 2, and are configured to be stacked with flexible substrates 10, 10a, and multiple pixels (TFT circuits (specifically including TFTs, pixel circuits, wiring, etc.)) 1, photoelectric conversion films 12, opposing electrodes 19, and element lenses 4, 4a formed in this order on the substrates 10, 10a. As shown in FIG. 2, the pixel area 5 (plurality of pixel regions for acquiring one elemental image by one image sensor 20, 20a (part of the pixel area 5 is shown in FIG. 2) has a pixel structure in which the pixels 1 are arranged vertically and horizontally in an array, for example. However, the arrangement of the pixels 1 is not limited to this, and for example, the pixels 1 may be arranged concentrically in accordance with the outer shape of the elemental lenses 4.

[0021] 1, the lens element 4 is not limited to a single lens provided for one image sensor 20, 20a, but may be a combination of multiple lenses. The configuration and shape of the lens element 4 can be appropriately selected from various types, including conventionally known types, depending on various conditions such as the position of the pixel area 5.

[0022] Each wiring is arranged to pass through the boundary between pixels 1 and is electrically connected to each pixel 1, and is configured to read out pixel signals related to pixels 1 in a predetermined area (for example, one line) in parallel (with overlapping time). Also, as shown in Fig. 2, a TFT 17 is arranged at the corner of each pixel 1. It should be noted that the pixel structure described above can be of various types that are applied to a normal CMOS image sensor, regardless of the configuration described above.

[0023] Furthermore, the wiring (such as wiring of a readout circuit not shown) may be electrically connected between adjacent image sensors 20, 20a, or may be electrically independent from each other. Furthermore, if a space that does not contribute to image synthesis is formed between adjacent image sensors 20, 20a on the flexible substrate 10, 10a, this space may be used to connect wiring to the outside or to provide a via hole to pull the wiring to the back side. Furthermore, this space may be provided with functions for effectively performing image processing, such as providing an imaging area consisting of a small lens and multiple pixels to acquire information on the polarization state, providing a sensor to acquire distance information in the imaging direction to acquire distance information, or detecting information related to the amount of light from a subject or the subject's movement and automatically adjusting the image quality of the captured image based on the detected information (for example, a function to distinguish between brightly lit areas and shaded areas and adjust the dynamic range for each image sensor 20, 20a).

[0024] 3(a) and 3(b), the flexible substrates 10, 10a constituting the image sensor belts 50, 50a are linear substrates 10, 10a with the same width along their entire length, but the width and length can be selected as appropriate, and the linear substrates 10, 10a do not need to be uniform in width. For example, the substrates 10, 10a may be shaped like a boat, with a bulge in the middle of their longitudinal direction. If the substrates 10, 10a are spherical as shown in Fig. 1, it is preferable to increase the width of the equatorial portion of each flexible substrate 10, 10a compared to the polar portions of a globe, increase the size of the pixel area or lenses installed in the equatorial portion, or increase the density of lenses in the equatorial portion to improve the efficiency of image acquisition in each direction.

[0025] In this way, the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to this embodiment is configured by assembling a single image sensor belt 50, 50a by bending it from its unfolded shape, which reduces variations in the characteristics of each image sensor 20, 20a, and thereby reduces the load on image processing such as color correction. In addition, because the single image sensor belts 50, 50a are curved and assembled three-dimensionally, alignment is easy and there is little possibility of misalignment occurring when forming the three-dimensional state. Furthermore, because the image sensor belts 50, 50a can be arranged efficiently, the overall system size can be made more compact than conventional systems that line up multiple cameras.

[0026] Furthermore, even in cases where a single image sensor belt 50, 50a is cut into individual flexible substrates 10, 10a and attached to the corresponding areas of a base having the same shape as the final curved body, it is possible to accurately cut out each flexible substrate 10, 10a along the boundary between adjacent flexible substrates 10, 10a, so that accurate alignment of each flexible substrate 10, 10a, and ultimately image sensors 20, 20a, is easier than with conventional technology without the need for complicated image correction processing, and there is little possibility of misalignment, etc. occurring.

[0027] Furthermore, in order to utilize the space between the image sensors 20, 20a as efficiently as possible, it is desirable to draw the wiring from the back surface side, as described above. In this case, by forming vias that lead from the position of each wiring on each substrate 10 (curved imaging surface 3) to the back surface side, the wiring can be drawn to the back surface side. By forming the vias in an area that is not the pixel area 5, it is possible to effectively utilize the space, as described above. It is also possible to attach an integrated circuit to the back side of each flexible substrate 10, 10a, or to attach an integrated circuit to the space that does not contribute to the image synthesis described above. Furthermore, pixel signals may be extracted by directly drawing out wiring in a space that does not contribute to pixel synthesis to the outside, or by wirelessly transmitting the signals to the outside.

[0028] In the case of a 360-degree spherical camera, one method for synthesizing images is to sequentially map images taken from each direction onto a sphere. However, methods such as this synthesis method can be selected appropriately from existing methods or methods to be developed in the future. In any case, the positional relationship between images obtained from different image sensors 20, 20a can be easily determined by comparing the positions of pixels 1 from which overlapping images are obtained in the pixel areas 5 of the image sensors 20, 20a that capture adjacent elemental images. The pixel arrangement can be determined arbitrarily, and is ultimately obtained by performing coordinate transformation to align the images mapped onto the sphere with the pixel positions of the display that displays them.

[0029] <Method of manufacturing an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device> A method for manufacturing an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The manufacturing method of the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to this embodiment is a method of manufacturing the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to the above embodiment, and describes a method of sequentially stacking pixels (TFT circuits) 1, photoelectric conversion film 12, counter electrode 19 and element lenses 4, 4a on a flexible and highly processable substrate 10 such as a plastic film.

[0030] First, a flat plastic film including the image sensor belts 50, 50a is prepared, which is flexible and can be cut or bent, and an area corresponding to the developed shape of the curved ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device is positioned (first step). Next, in this developed view, in each region of each flexible substrate 10, 10a corresponding to the image sensor 20, 20a, a plurality of pixels (TFT circuits) 1 each having a TFT, a pixel circuit, wiring, etc. are arranged to form a pixel area 5 of a predetermined shape using an existing semiconductor manufacturing process (second step). When wiring is provided on the rear surface side, vias that electrically connect the front and rear surfaces of the flexible substrates 10, 10a may be formed using a general processing technique such as plating.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, a photoelectric conversion film 12 using an organic photoelectric conversion material, selenium, or the like is laminated on top of the pixel (TFT circuit) 1. This photoelectric conversion film 12 can be made of various materials and device structures used in existing technologies. In addition, a counter electrode 19 is laminated on top of the photoelectric conversion film 12 as shown in Figure 2, but other structures required for photoelectric conversion processing, such as a hole blocking layer, an electron blocking layer, a barrier layer, etc., can also be appropriately adopted.

[0032] After the above-described manufacturing process is performed, the plastic film is cut into the shape of the image sensor belts 50, 50a as shown in Fig. 3, and then each flexible substrate 10, 10a is bent into a desired curved shape (step 3). At this time, a predetermined bending process (including a process of cutting each flexible substrate 10, 10a separately, if necessary) is performed to assemble each flexible substrate 10, 10a into a three-dimensional shape. When assembling the flexible substrates 10, 10a into a desired curved shape, it is preferable to attach the flexible substrates 10, 10a to a base having the same shape as the three-dimensional shape to be assembled.

[0033] Furthermore, it is preferable that the curved body be formed by bending a single piece of image sensor belt 50, 50a into a predetermined three-dimensional shape, but if it is possible to attach with high precision to a base of the same shape as the curved body (sphere) described above, it is also possible to cut off part or all of each flexible substrate 10, 10a from each other and then attach them to this base. In this embodiment, since the flexible substrates 10 and 10a are manufactured as described above, they can be aligned with each other with high precision, unlike conventional techniques that use multiple cameras. In particular, when the flexible substrates 10 and 10a are formed from a thin, flexible film, they can be easily attached to a base. Furthermore, when the flexible substrates 10 and 10a are made of a plastic material, they can be easily cut, and therefore the processes of cutting and aligning the flexible substrates 10 and 10a can be performed with high precision.

[0034] The above-mentioned wiring may be formed on the flexible substrates 10, 10a after the curved body is assembled. Various conventional techniques, such as FPC and wire bonding, can be applied to the wiring formation process. Furthermore, wiring, integrated circuits, etc. can also be formed on the back surface of the flexible substrates 10, 10a after the curved body is assembled.

[0035] After assembling the curved body as described above, element lenses 4 are attached to each area corresponding to each image sensor 20, 20a (fourth step). The element lenses 4 can be attached in various ways depending on the application. The element lenses 4 may be detachable by attaching a mount or the like to each pixel area 5, or may be fixedly attached via a jig or the like. The element lenses 4 may also be provided corresponding to each pixel area 5 before assembling the curved body.

[0036] Furthermore, the element lenses 4 may be configured by directly attaching a flat lens such as a metalens onto a laminate including the flexible substrates 10, 10a, the pixel (TFT circuit) 1, the photoelectric conversion film 12, and the counter electrode 19, and the constituent materials, shape, etc. can be appropriately selected depending on the material and type of the laminate to be attached.

[0037] <Changes> The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device and its manufacturing method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the imaging device covers all directions, but depending on the application, it is also possible to make it a partial celestial sphere that covers only a part of all directions (for example, a hemispherical shape as shown in FIG. 4(b)). That is, the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to this embodiment is a multi-eye type, and various types that can combine images from different directions can be selected. The image to be acquired may be not only visible light but also infrared light, ultraviolet light, or other radiation, and can be selected depending on the use of the image to be acquired. Furthermore, in order to prevent light that has passed through the lens of an adjacent pixel area from entering each pixel area of ​​the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a member that functions as a light-shielding wall around the boundary between the pixel area and the adjacent pixel area.

[0038] In addition, in the manufacturing method of the ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device of the present invention, the order of the first step of cutting a shape corresponding to the unfolded diagram of multiple line-shaped flexible substrates that constitute a curved body or a predetermined area of ​​the outer surface of a portion of a curved body from a flexible plastic material, and the second step of forming multiple pixel areas, each consisting of an array of multiple imaging pixels including TFTs, pixel circuits, and wiring, along the longitudinal direction of each flexible substrate, at positions corresponding to the surface side of each flexible substrate in the unfolded diagram of the flexible substrate, can be selected depending on the situation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 pixel (TFT circuit) 3. Imaging surface 4, 4a element lens 5 pixel area 10, 10a Flexible substrate 12 Photoelectric conversion film 17 TFT 19 Counter electrode 20, 20a image sensor 50, 50a Image sensor belt 100 Ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device

Claims

1. a plurality of linear flexible substrates that form a predetermined area on the outer surface of a curved body or a part of a curved body; a pixel area formed on an outer surface of the flexible substrate along the longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate, the pixel area including an array of a plurality of imaging pixels; a lens element disposed for each pixel area so as to form an object image on each of the pixel areas formed along the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of linear flexible substrates; The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device is characterized in that the plurality of linear flexible substrates are arranged in close proximity to each other on a single plane when unfolded.

2. 2. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to claim 1, wherein each of the flexible substrates is formed from the same material.

3. 2. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of linear flexible substrates are continuous on one plane when unfolded.

4. 2. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is made of a flexible plastic.

5. 5. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the flexible substrate is made of a film-like plastic.

6. 2. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of linear flexible substrates are formed so as to spread radially from a predetermined point as a center when unfolded.

7. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device of claim 6, characterized in that when the multiple linear flexible substrates are assembled into the curved body or as part of the curved body, the tips of the multiple radially extending linear flexible substrates are formed so as to reconvene at a single point different from the specified single point.

8. The ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device of claim 1, characterized in that, when unfolded, the multiple linear flexible substrates are formed so that the multiple flexible substrates arranged vertically and horizontally cross each other.

9. A first step of cutting a shape corresponding to a developed figure of a plurality of line-shaped flexible substrates that constitute a curved body or a predetermined area of ​​an outer surface of a part of a curved body from a flexible plastic material; a second step of forming a plurality of pixel areas, each of which includes a plurality of imaging pixels, each including a TFT, a pixel circuit, and wiring, at a position corresponding to a front surface side of each of the flexible substrates in a developed diagram of the flexible substrates, along the longitudinal direction of each of the flexible substrates; a third step of bending the shape corresponding to the developed figure of the flexible substrate to form a three-dimensional shape along a predetermined region of the outer surface of the curved body or a part of the curved body; a fourth step of arranging element lenses in each pixel area, each pixel area being formed on the outer surface of the curved body or a part of the curved body and including an array of imaging pixels, so as to form an image of a subject in the pixel area; A method for manufacturing an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device, characterized in that, of these four steps, one step of a first step group consisting of two steps, the first step and the second step, is performed first and then the other step is performed afterwards, and then the third step and the fourth step are performed in this order.

10. The method for manufacturing an ultra-wide viewing angle imaging device described in claim 9, characterized in that when the shape corresponding to the unfolded figure of the flexible substrate is bent or cut to form a three-dimensional shape that becomes a predetermined area of ​​the outer surface of the curved body or a part of the curved body, the flexible substrate is attached to a base that has the same shape as the curved body or a part of the curved body.

Images