Camera Field-of-View Stitching for Faster High-Quality Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image synthesis methods using cameras with adjustable fields of view require multiple captures and increased exposure times, leading to prolonged acquisition and synthesis times, especially when capturing overlapping regions.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a processor that determines a main region within a preview image, acquires multiple images with varying fields of view, and synthesizes these images to improve image quality with reduced capturing time, including features like motion detection and exposure adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple images with overlapping regions are captured to synthesize high-resolution images, then image quality is improved, but image acquisition time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing a preview image before the formal image acquisition process. This preview image is used to analyze the scene and determine the optimal main region that requires highest resolution. By performing this analysis in advance, the system avoids capturing unnecessary images in regions that don't require high detail, thereby reducing total acquisition time while maintaining image quality in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating between a main region and other regions in the scene. The main region, identified through motion detection and importance analysis of the preview image, is captured with higher resolution and longer exposure time. Other regions are captured with lower resolution or shorter exposure time. This localized quality approach ensures high image quality where needed while reducing overall acquisition time and resource consumption.
2Manufacturing precision
If exposure time is increased to generate high-resolution images, then image quality improves, but total image acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different exposure times for different regions. The main region, which contains important subjects or motion, receives extended exposure time to capture high-quality details. Other regions use standard or reduced exposure times. This selective exposure approach improves image quality in critical areas without proportionally increasing the total exposure duration across the entire scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the preview image to identify the main region before committing to long exposure times. This preliminary action allows the system to limit extended exposure only to necessary regions, preventing unnecessary time consumption in areas that don't require high-resolution capture.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple individual images with overlapping boundary regions are captured, then complete region coverage is achieved, but image synthesis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces synthesis complexity by applying local quality principles to the capture process. Instead of uniformly capturing the entire scene with multiple overlapping images, the system identifies and prioritizes the main region, capturing it with higher detail and fewer overlapping shots. Other regions are captured with less redundancy. This results in a more manageable set of images for synthesis, reducing computational complexity while maintaining complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The preview image analysis performs preliminary planning of the capture sequence, determining the main region and optimal capture strategy before actual image acquisition. This preliminary action organizes the capture process to minimize the number of images needed for complete coverage, thereby reducing the complexity of subsequent image synthesis operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include: a camera; a display; and at least one processor electrically connected to the camera and the display. The at least one processor may: display, on the display, as a preview image, an image acquired by driving the camera; determine a first region in the preview image to be a main region; by varying the field of view of the camera, acquire, according to a predetermined sequence, a plurality of images corresponding to the respective plurality of fields of view; acquire a first image for the first region by using the camera; and generate a result image on the basis of the acquired plurality of images and first image, wherein at least a portion of the first image may overlap with at least one of the plurality of images. Other various embodiments are possible as identified in the specification.