Fisheye Image Capturers for 360 Degree Depth Map Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image devices require a large number of image capturers to generate 360 degree depth maps, leading to increased costs, as they need at least 6 capturers for panorama depth maps and 8 for spherical depth maps.
Innovation Solution
An image device utilizing a plurality of fisheye image capturers with a sum of view angles not less than 720 degrees, or overlapping vision fields covering 360 degrees, to generate 360 degree depth maps, reducing the number of capturers needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional image capturer arrangements are used to generate 360 degree depth maps, then depth map quality is maintained, but the number of image capturers increases leading to increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the field of view parameter of image capturers from conventional angles to fisheye lenses with 180 degrees or more, allowing fewer capturers to achieve the required 360 degree coverage. This parameter change enables the system to maintain depth map quality while reducing the number of image capturers needed from 6-8 down to 4 or fewer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more image capturers are used to ensure complete 360 degree coverage, then coverage completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple conventional image capturers into fewer fisheye image capturers. By combining wide-angle coverage capabilities, the system achieves complete 360 degree coverage with fewer units, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining coverage completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional image capturing to three-dimensional fisheye capturing with 180 degrees or more field of view. This dimensional change in viewing angle allows fewer capturers to achieve the same coverage area, reducing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image device for generating a 360 degree depth map includes a plurality of image capturers, wherein an image pair captured by each two adjacent image capturers of the plurality of image capturers is used for generating the 360 degree depth map, and a sum of all view angles of the plurality of image capturers is not less than 720 degree.