Image Conversion Device for Seamless Surrounding Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small store owners and individual exhibitors face challenges in capturing images of a product's entire surroundings without the need for specialized instruments, as existing methods require precise camera positioning and direction control.
Innovation Solution
An image conversion device and method that allows users to capture and convert a sequence of images from multiple angles into an image sequence representing the product's entire surroundings using a digital camera or smartphone, employing live preview and image processing techniques to approximate the image sequence without requiring complex calculations or specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If special instruments with precise camera positioning and direction control are used, then image sequence quality from entire surroundings is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the ideal circular path camera trajectory by computationally processing images captured from arbitrary positions. Instead of physically replicating the precise circular motion required for perfect spherical panorama, the system captures images from any viewpoint and uses image processing algorithms to synthesize the equivalent of a circular path camera movement, thereby achieving high-quality entire surrounding images without specialized positioning instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical positioning and direction control system with an image processing-based computational approach. Rather than using mechanical devices to precisely control camera position and orientation along a circular path, the system substitutes this mechanical control with software algorithms that process images captured from arbitrary positions to generate the equivalent spherical panorama effect
2Measurement precision
If special instruments with precise camera positioning are used, then image sequence quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the image processing system to automatically determine camera position and direction information without requiring manual input or precise operator control. The system self-adjusts by computationally analyzing the captured images and automatically generating the spherical panorama, eliminating the need for operators to skillfully control camera positioning or understand complex positioning requirements
3Device complexity
If conventional digital cameras without position/direction detection are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to capture accurate entire surrounding images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces image processing algorithms as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple digital camera captures and accurate spherical panorama generation. The intermediary processing system computationally infers spatial relationships and camera positions from the captured images, effectively mediating between the lack of built-in position detection in conventional cameras and the requirement for accurate spatial information in entire surrounding images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical position and direction detection system with a computational image processing approach. Instead of relying on physical sensors and mechanical tracking to determine camera position and orientation, the system uses software algorithms to extract spatial information from the image data itself, thereby achieving accurate spatial representation without adding mechanical detection complexity to the camera
Data Source
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AI summary
A product imaging device (121) is provided which facilitates a user to capture the image sequence of entire surroundings of a product. An image sensor unit (201) senses incident light from the external world where the product is disposed and outputs an image representing a result of the sensing. An instruction receiving unit (202) receives an image-capture instruction from the user. A memory unit (203) stores the image sensed by the image sensor unit (201) upon reception of an image-capture instruction. A finder display unit (204) synthesizes the image stored in the memory unit (203) with an image presently sensed by the image sensor unit (201) and displays a synthesized image on a finder screen.