Image Pickup Apparatus Dome Tilt Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup apparatuses with hemispherical transparent covers face image quality degradation due to variations in dome curvature, thickness, and tilt mechanism eccentricity, which are not adequately addressed by mere diaphragm adjustments, especially with higher pixel density and full high definition requirements.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus with a holding unit for a hemispherical cover, an image pickup unit capable of changing lens orientation via a tilt mechanism, and a correction unit that performs image quality processing based on the lens orientation, distance, curvature, and thickness of the dome to optimize image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a diaphragm is changed to a more closed state as the tilt position moves from zenith toward horizontal, then lens aberration is reduced, but image quality degradation such as diffraction occurs and sufficient correction is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the diaphragm aperture size based on the tilt position of the camera. As the tilt angle increases from the zenith direction toward the horizontal direction, the diaphragm is closed to a more restricted state to compensate for increased lens aberrations caused by the dome's optical interference at oblique angles. This parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between aberration correction and diffraction control across different operational positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamics by making the diaphragm aperture dynamically adjustable according to the tilt position. Rather than using a fixed aperture, the system continuously adapts the diaphragm opening size in response to changes in camera orientation, enabling real-time optimization of image quality as the camera moves between zenith and horizontal positions while attached to the dome.
2Manufacturing precision
If the diaphragm is stopped down to correct lens aberration, then aberration is reduced, but images contain much noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively closing the diaphragm only to the extent necessary for aberration correction at each specific tilt position, rather than maintaining a constantly small aperture. The diaphragm opening is optimized to provide just sufficient aberration control while preserving adequate light intake, thereby avoiding excessive noise introduction that would result from continuous small-aperture operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a hemispherical transparent cover is attached for appearance improvement and protection, then dust-proofing and rain-proofing are achieved, but image quality degrades due to dome curvature variations and thickness nonuniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for dome-induced image quality degradation by dynamically adjusting the diaphragm aperture parameter in response to tilt position changes. This parameter modification helps counteract the variable optical effects caused by dome curvature and thickness variations, maintaining acceptable image quality across different operational angles while the dome provides its protective function.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus that is capable of suppressing degradation of image quality even when the orientation of a photographing lens is changed in a state in which a dome is attached to the image pickup apparatus. A dome attaching/detaching mechanism detachably holds a dome which is transparent and has a hemispherical shape. An image pickup unit is arranged inside the dome and is capable of changing an orientation of a lens group by a tilt mechanism. An image processor performs correction processing on an image photographed by the image pickup unit. The image processor performs image quality correction according to the orientation of the lens group.