Gimbal-Based Spherical Capture for Parallax-Free Point Clouds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for capturing and combining images of enclosed spaces, such as vehicle interiors, suffer from limitations including low resolution output, optical issues like distortions, and high hardware and setup costs.
Innovation Solution
The system involves a camera device mounted on a gimbal that rotates around a nodal point, capturing images from various orientations. These images are processed to generate a three-dimensional point cloud, which is then used to create synthetic images from virtual viewpoints, overcoming parallax errors without the need for a panohead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple images are captured and combined through conventional image processing techniques, then full sphere coverage of the space is achieved, but the output resolution is low and optical issues such as distortions, fringing, and chromatic aberration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional optical-mechanical image capture systems with a computational approach. Instead of relying on physical camera arrangements and optical processing, the system uses a mobile device with a gimbal to capture images from multiple orientations, then applies computational algorithms to stitch and process these images into a high-resolution spherical panorama, eliminating traditional optical distortion issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic gimbal system that allows the mobile device to rotate and capture images from multiple orientations. The gimbal's ability to dynamically adjust the capture angles and positions enables comprehensive spherical coverage while maintaining image quality through controlled movement and systematic data collection
2Measurement precision
If digital single-lens reflex camera, pan-tilt-unit, and nodal point bracket based techniques are used, then many images can be captured and combined, but high hardware and setup costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile device as a simplified copy or alternative to expensive professional camera systems. Instead of requiring specialized DSLR cameras, pan-tilt-units, or nodal point brackets, the system achieves similar spherical capture capabilities using a standard mobile device with a gimbal, dramatically reducing hardware costs while maintaining adequate capture precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex, and often single-use professional capture systems with inexpensive, reusable mobile devices. The mobile device can be used repeatedly for multiple spherical captures without requiring specialized equipment, making the system both affordable and sustainable for ongoing use
3Ease of operation
If focus is set once for the whole capture, then the capture process is simplified, but manual intervention and photographic expertise are needed to balance aperture settings with exposure time and address exposure challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the mobile device to automatically manage its own capture parameters during the spherical imaging process. The device can autonomously adjust exposure settings, focus, and timing for each captured image based on the specific lighting conditions and orientation, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring consistent and reliable results across all captured images
Data Source
AI summary
Images may be captured at an image capture device mounted on an image capture device gimbal capable of rotating the image capture device around a nodal point in one or more dimensions. Each of the plurality of images may be captured from a respective rotational position. The images may be captured by a designated camera that is not located at the nodal point in one or more of the respective rotational positions. A designated three-dimensional point cloud may be determined based on the plurality of images. The designated three-dimensional point cloud may include a plurality of points each having a respective position in a virtual three-dimensional space.