Dual Imaging Units for Celestial Sphere Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems for movable apparatuses face challenges in imaging blind portions, such as areas below the imaging unit or another imaging unit, which limits their ability to perform comprehensive 360° horizontal and 180° vertical imaging and distance measurement.
Innovation Solution
The proposed image processing system incorporates two imaging units with optical systems having maximum half angles of view that sum to greater than 180°, with their optical axes disposed in opposite directions. This configuration allows for the generation of composite image information of a celestial sphere and distance information based on the superimposed viewing angle of both imaging units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple imaging units are used to image blind portions and achieve 360° horizontal and 180° vertical imaging, then imaging completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional single-point imaging to celestial sphere imaging by changing the dimensionality of the optical system. By using optical systems with wide fields of view (greater than 180° half angle), the system maps images onto a celestial sphere coordinate system, enabling 360° horizontal and 180° vertical coverage with fewer imaging units.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging units are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - they capture images for both blind portion coverage and celestial sphere mapping. The same imaging unit contributes to both eliminating blind spots and achieving comprehensive 360°/180° imaging, reducing the total number of units needed.
2Area of stationary object
If imaging units are added to cover blind portions, then imaging coverage is improved, but hardware requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of optical system field of view from conventional narrow angles to wide angles (greater than 180° half angle). This parameter change enables each imaging unit to cover a much larger area, including blind portions, while requiring fewer units overall to achieve complete 360°/180° coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing system includes a first imaging unit including a first optical system in which a maximum half angle of view is θa, a second imaging unit including a second optical system in which a maximum half angle of view is θb, the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit being configured such that θa+θb>180° is satisfied, and an optical axis of the first optical system and an optical axis of the second optical system being disposed in opposite directions to each other, an image composition unit configured to generate composite image information of a celestial sphere based on outputs of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, and a distance measurement processing unit configured to generate distance information based on an output of a superimposed viewing angle of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.