Multi-Camera Image Stitching for Footwear Tool Path Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision systems face limitations in field of view and resolution when capturing images for manufacturing processes, with wide-angle lenses causing distortion and increased distance leading to reduced usability and calibration issues.
Innovation Solution
A multiple camera system is used to capture overlapping images of a material, which are then stitched together to form a high-resolution, distortion-free image, allowing for accurate identification of features and generation of tool paths for manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the image capture device is moved farther from the target area to increase the field of view, then the field of view is improved, but the resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging task into multiple discrete images captured by separate cameras positioned at different locations. Each camera captures a portion of the target area with high resolution, and the images are subsequently stitched together to form a composite image that provides both wide field of view and high resolution simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple discrete images captured by separate cameras into a single stitched image. This merging process integrates the field of view advantages of multiple cameras while maintaining the resolution quality of individual captures, resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and detailed precision.
2Area of stationary object
If a wide-angle lens is used to increase the field of view, then the field of view is improved, but image distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single wide-angle lens that introduces distortion, the patent segments the imaging into multiple standard-lens captures. Each camera uses a standard lens to capture its portion without distortion, and the segmented images are stitched together to achieve wide field of view while maintaining geometric accuracy throughout the entire scene.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A multiple camera vision system captures discrete images having overlapping fields of view. Each of the cameras is calibrated and the images from the cameras are stitched together as a stitched image. A stitched image from the multiple cameras is then used in a calibration process to prepare the multiple camera vision system to be used in connection with a processing operation. A stitched image is used as an input for identifying a feature of the material and for determining a tool path for the material. The tool path determined with the stitched image is provided to a process station to perform an operation on the material.