360 Degree Camera System Portrait Sensor Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 360 degree camera systems have limited vertical field of view and high memory and bandwidth requirements due to the form factors of image sensors, which restrict their capability to capture panoramic images effectively.
Innovation Solution
A 360 degree camera system is designed with image capture devices having more photosensors along their long edges than short edges, oriented with the short edge substantially horizontal, and an image processing system that combines image data from multiple devices to generate a single panoramic image, incorporating optical correction and rotation to enhance vertical field of view and reduce memory access cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If image sensors are tilted to face upward to improve vertical FOV, then vertical field of view coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of tilting the image sensors upward to expand vertical FOV, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the sensors 90 degrees so that their long edges are horizontal. This allows the sensors to capture a wider vertical field of view in their native orientation without requiring complex tilting mechanisms, thereby improving vertical FOV coverage while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of multiple image sensors around the optical center, with sensors positioned at different angular intervals (e.g., 90 degrees apart) rather than symmetric distribution. Each sensor captures a different angular sector, and the asymmetric positioning allows optimal coverage of the vertical field of view while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to symmetric tilting arrangements.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional image sensor form factors (16:9, 4:3) are used, then manufacturing is easier, but vertical field of view coverage remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from the conventional landscape orientation (16:9, 4:3) to a portrait orientation by rotating the image sensors 90 degrees. This dimensional change allows the long edge of the sensor to be horizontal, thereby capturing a wider vertical field of view. The sensors are manufactured using standard processes, but their rotational orientation in the assembly provides the enhanced vertical coverage without requiring custom sensor fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the 360-degree horizontal field of view into multiple angular sectors, each captured by a separate image sensor positioned at different orientations. By segmenting the total field of view and assigning specific angular ranges to each sensor, the system achieves comprehensive vertical and horizontal coverage while using standard form factor sensors, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while expanding effective coverage area.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple image sensors are used to capture 360 degree images, then field of view coverage is improved, but memory and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image data from multiple sensors by stitching them together into a single composite 360-degree image. The image processing unit integrates the data streams from all sensors, combining their respective angular sectors into one unified output. This merging approach allows comprehensive field of view coverage while managing memory and bandwidth requirements through efficient data integration and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of image data at the sensor level before full integration, where each sensor captures and pre-processes its assigned angular sector. By performing preliminary actions such as individual sensor calibration, noise reduction, and partial stitching before final composite image generation, the system reduces the bandwidth and memory requirements for handling raw data from multiple sensors, while still achieving complete 360-degree coverage.
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
The system achieves an improved vertical field of view and reduced memory and bandwidth requirements, enabling more efficient capture and processing of panoramic images with enhanced image quality and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The lens system is coupled to focus a first image on the array of photosensors of the first image capture device and to focus a second image on the second array of photosensors of the second image capture device
Implementation Method 2
The first image capture device includes an array of photosensors... The image processing system is electronically coupled to receive image data representative of the first image from the first image capture device
Data Source
AI summary
A 360 degree camera system includes a support structure, a plurality of image capture devices, a plurality of lens systems, and an image processing system. The image capture devices are positioned such that their height is greater than their width. The image processing system includes a rotation module for remapping the pixel addresses of the image data to join the captured images along their long edges.