Asymmetric Stereo Camera Setup for Wide-Angle 3D Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic vision systems using identical cameras capture redundant information due to perfect symmetry, lose 3D vision when looking in the direction of the cameras' axis, and fail to account for individual human eye differences, leading to user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
Employing at least two cameras with different imaging parameters, such as distortion profiles, orientations, fields of view, color spectra, frame rates, exposure times, or aperture sizes, and combining their images using a processing algorithm to create optimal stereoscopic views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If identical cameras are used to create stereoscopic vision, then direct compatibility with display devices is achieved, but redundant information is captured and useful information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using cameras with different imaging parameters (different focal lengths, aperture sizes, or sensor characteristics) instead of identical cameras. This asymmetric configuration allows each camera to capture different types of information - one camera captures standard visual information while another captures enhanced depth or texture information, thereby reducing information redundancy and increasing useful information capture without requiring perfect symmetry between the two camera systems
2Area of stationary object
If wide-angle lenses are used to capture more field of view, then field of view is enhanced, but 3D vision is lost when looking in the direction of the cameras' axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using cameras with different focal lengths or aperture settings. One camera uses a wider field of view setting while the other uses a narrower setting, allowing the system to maintain 3D vision across the entire field of view by combining images with different parameter configurations. This resolves the contradiction by dynamically adjusting camera parameters rather than relying on a single fixed wide-angle setting
3Adaptability or versatility
If perfect symmetry of cameras is used to simulate parallax view, then stereoscopic vision is created, but individual human eye differences are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the camera system adaptable and reconfigurable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically adjust camera parameters (focal length, aperture, exposure) and processing algorithms to match individual user characteristics such as inter-pupillary distance, ocular dominance, and vision defects. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to transition from a fixed symmetric configuration to a customized configuration that accounts for individual human eye differences, thereby improving both adaptability and user comfort
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances resolution and field of view, maintains parallax differences, and reduces user discomfort by generating high-resolution, comfortable 3D displays tailored to individual human vision.
Implementation Method 1
capture multiples images of a wide-angle scene with multiples cameras
Implementation Method 2
lenses with narrow angle FoV to image the scene
Implementation Method 3
simulate the parallax view created by the distance from the human eyes
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic vision system uses at least two cameras having different parameters to image a scene and create stereoscopic views. The different parameters of the two cameras can be intrinsic or extrinsic, including, for example, the distortion profile of the lens in the cameras, the field of view of the lens, the orientation of the cameras, the positions of the cameras, the color spectrum of the cameras, the frame rate of the cameras, the exposure time of the cameras, the gain of the cameras, the aperture size of the lenses, or the like. An image processing apparatus is then used to process the images from the at least two different cameras to provide optimal stereoscopic vision to a display.