Image Processing Device Angular Resolution Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wide-angle lenses used in image-capturing devices often result in deteriorated image quality when capturing both distant and near areas, due to variations in incidence angle per image height, which can negatively impact subsequent image processing.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device with a specific lens configuration that includes two aspherical lenses and a spherical lens group, optimizing angular resolution by setting higher magnification for small incidence angles and lower magnification for large incidence angles, and employing image cutting-out and reduction processing to adjust resolution and reduce the impact of low-resolution areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a conventional wide-angle lens is used to capture images of both distant and near areas, then the viewing range is expanded, but image quality deteriorates in certain portions due to change rate of incidence angle per image height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing rangeVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image capturing device divides the imaging function into multiple lens units: a first lens unit for capturing distant area images and a second lens unit for capturing near area images. This segmentation allows each lens unit to be optimized for its specific function, preventing image quality deterioration in either area while maintaining a wide viewing range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different optical characteristics to different parts of the lens system. The first lens unit has optical parameters optimized for distant objects, while the second lens unit has parameters optimized for near objects. This local optimization ensures high image quality in both distant and near areas without compromising overall viewing range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If image cutting-out and reduction processing are applied to reduce influence of low-resolution areas, then image processing accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing device performs cutting-out and reduction processing on images captured by the wide-angle lens before distance measurement or recognition processing. By preprocessing the images to remove low-resolution portions and reduce size, the subsequent processing operations work with higher-quality data, improving accuracy while the preprocessing steps are systematically organized to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances image quality by maintaining high angular resolution across the entire viewing range, allowing for accurate distance measurement and improved object recognition in both distant and near areas, while minimizing the influence of low-resolution areas on image processing.

Implementation Method 1

an image-capturing lens having characteristics that an inflection point of a change rate of an incidence angle per image height with respect to an incidence angle exists at a predetermined incidence angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3287985B1Image processing device
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3287985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3287985B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3287985B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An image processing device processes an image captured by at least one image-capturing device including a lens which has characteristics of including an inflection point of a change rate of an incidence angle per image height with respect to the incidence angle at a predetermined inflection point incidence angle. The image processing device includes a resolution adjustment unit that adjusts resolution of an inflection point correspondence image area corresponding to the predetermined inflection point incidence angle and resolution of at least one of an inside image area positioned more inside than the inflection point correspondence image area and an outside image area positioned outside of the inflection point correspondence image area.