Simulating Camera Lens Effects via Multi-Orientation Image Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with single camera lenses limit users' ability to create images using different lens types, as they cannot simulate wider angle views or specific lens effects without additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that guide users through capturing images at various camera orientations to simulate desired lens effects by displaying visual indicia and processing captured images to create a stitched image with the corresponding optical effect, allowing simulation of lens types with wider angles of view than the physical camera lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single physical camera lens is used in mobile devices, then the device structure remains simple and compact, but the user cannot capture images with different lens types (e.g., wide-angle, fisheye) without additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of different lens types by capturing multiple images with a single physical lens at different orientations and computationally synthesizing the effect of wide-angle, fisheye, and other lens types. This software-based copying approach provides lens type variety without adding physical lens hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional view (single lens orientation) to multi-dimensional capture by taking images at multiple camera orientations and combining them. This dimensional approach enables simulation of lenses with wider angles of view using a single physical lens.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple images are captured at different camera orientations to simulate lens effects, then lens type versatility is improved, but the operation complexity and time required for image capture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying indicators that guide users through the multi-orientation capture process. The interface shows which orientations have been captured and which are needed, making the complex multi-step process more user-friendly and easier to follow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines and presents the required camera orientations to the user before image capture begins. This preliminary guidance helps users understand the capture process in advance, reducing operational complexity during the actual imaging process.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple images are captured and stitched together to simulate lens effects, then the angle of view is expanded, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the final wide-angle or fisheye image into multiple segments corresponding to individual captured images at different orientations. By processing and stitching these segmented images, the system expands the effective angle of view while managing computational complexity through structured segmentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system is disclosed for simulating different types of camera lens on a device by guiding a user through a set of images to be captured in connection with one or more desired lens effects. In one aspect, a wide-angle lens may be simulated by taking a plurality of images that have been taken at a particular location over a set of camera orientations that are determined based on the selection of the wide-angle lens. The mobile device may provide prompts to the user indicating the camera orientations for which images should be captured in order to generate the simulated camera lens effect.