Light Field Camera Pixel Density Control for Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light field cameras sacrifice spatial resolution to capture four-dimensional light field information, leading to reduced image quality in three-dimensional scenes, as they record view direction information through spatial resolution loss, failing to meet diverse user demands for imaging quality in different regions of a scene.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for light field capture control that determines specific sub-lenses affecting a region in a light field camera's sub-lens array, adjusts the pixel density distribution of the image sensor to differentiate pixel density between regions, allowing for non-uniform light field capture, thereby improving image resolution and meeting diverse application demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a light field camera uses a sub-lens array to record four-dimensional light field information through single exposure, then the flexibility of imaging is improved and multiple imaging applications are supported, but the spatial resolution of the obtained image is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating pixel density across different regions of the image sensor. Specifically, it identifies a first region (where higher resolution is needed) and a second region (where lower resolution is acceptable), then allocates more pixels to the first region and fewer pixels to the second region. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high spatial resolution in critical areas while maintaining light field capture flexibility overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image sensor into multiple regions with different pixel density requirements. It divides the sensor area into a first region requiring high resolution and a second region accepting lower resolution, then independently configures pixel density for each segment. This segmentation allows the system to maintain versatility while achieving high spatial resolution where needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If pixel density is uniformly distributed across the image sensor, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the imaging quality cannot meet diverse user demands for different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating non-uniform pixel density distribution where different regions of the image sensor have different pixel densities tailored to their specific imaging requirements. The first region receives higher pixel density for superior imaging quality, while the second region uses lower pixel density, thus meeting diverse user demands without requiring complex uniform high-density structures across the entire sensor.
3Manufacturing precision
If more pixels are allocated to a specific region to improve its spatial resolution, then the imaging quality of that region is improved, but the overall pixel utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the pixel density parameter across different regions of the image sensor based on the specific imaging requirements of each region. Instead of using a fixed uniform pixel density, the system varies the pixel density parameter to match regional needs, thereby improving spatial resolution where required while optimizing overall pixel utilization efficiency by not wasting pixels in regions where high resolution is not needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the subject application disclose various light field capture control methods and apparatuses and various light field capture devices, wherein one of the light field capture control methods comprises: determining at least one sub-lens, which affects light field capture of a first region, in a sub-lens array of a light field camera, the first region being a local part of a to-be-shot scene; determining a to-be-adjusted region of an image sensor of the light field camera according to the at least one sub-lens; adjusting pixel density distribution of the image sensor, to cause average pixel density distribution of the to-be-adjusted region to be distinguished from that of other regions of the image sensor; and performing, by the adjusted image sensor, light field capture of the to-be-shot scene. The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the subject application improves light field capture efficiency while making full use of overall pixels of the image sensor, and can better meet users' diversified actual application demands.