Light Field Camera Sensor Pixel Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light field cameras capture light field information uniformly across all regions of a scene, leading to consistent but potentially suboptimal image quality, particularly in regions of varying depth, where higher sharpness and detail are desired.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that adjust the pixel density distribution of the image sensor in a light field camera based on depth information, allowing for uneven recording of light field information across different regions of a scene, thereby enhancing the richness and sharpness of images in regions of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If uniform pixel density distribution is used across the image sensor, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the image quality and sharpness in regions of varying depth deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the image sensor into multiple regions with different pixel densities. High-density regions are allocated to areas requiring superior image quality (such as regions of interest or varying depth), while low-density regions are assigned to areas where image quality requirements are lower. This non-uniform pixel distribution optimizes overall image quality without requiring uniform high-density pixels across the entire sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is segmented into multiple regions, each with independently controllable pixel density. This segmentation allows different portions of the sensor to be optimized for different imaging requirements, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and image quality by managing complexity at the regional level rather than requiring uniform high-quality pixels everywhere.
2Manufacturing precision
If uniform light field information recording is performed across all regions, then the device complexity is minimized, but the sharpness and detail in specific depth regions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light field capture process implements local quality by recording light field information with varying density across different regions. Regions requiring higher sharpness and detail (such as those at varying depths or regions of interest) receive higher sampling density, while other regions use lower density. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing sharpness locally without requiring complex uniform high-density capture across the entire scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The light field capture control is made dynamic by adjusting the recording density based on scene characteristics, depth information, and region importance. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize sharpness for specific depth regions while maintaining simpler capture in other areas, resolving the contradiction between image quality and device complexity.
3Productivity
If all pixels are used uniformly for light field capture, then the productivity is maximized in terms of data collection, but the efficiency for capturing high-quality images in specific regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes capture efficiency by allocating pixel resources according to local quality requirements. High-density pixel regions are concentrated in areas where image sharpness is critical, while low-density regions contribute to overall scene coverage. This resolves the contradiction between productivity and image quality by ensuring that pixel resources are not wasted in regions where they are not needed, thereby improving overall capture efficiency while maintaining high sharpness where required.
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 light field capture control method comprises: acquiring depth information of a to-be-shot scene; determining target pixel density distribution information of an image sensor of a light field camera according to the depth information; adjusting pixel density distribution of the image sensor according to the target pixel density distribution information; 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 can make full use of overall pixels of the image sensor of the light field camera to unevenly record light field information of different regions of the to-be-shot scene in a depth of field (DOF) direction, thereby improving light field capture efficiency.