Luminaire Camera Array Overlap for Distortion-Free Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Luminaires with cameras face challenges in achieving a large field of view without optical distortion, which hinders accurate video or image analytics, and existing solutions like wide angle lenses or distributed cameras are either prone to distortion or computationally intensive.

Innovation Solution

A luminaire system with multiple cameras, where each camera's field of view overlaps with others by a predetermined angle, eliminating the need for wide angle lenses and image stitching, allowing for accurate monitoring of distinct areas without distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a wide angle lens is used to achieve a large field of view, then the field of view is increased, but optical distortion is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of viewVSAvoidoptical distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the imaging task into multiple segments by using several cameras instead of one wide-angle camera. Each camera captures a portion of the scene with minimal distortion, and the images are later combined through stitching to create a comprehensive view. This segmentation approach resolves the contradiction by achieving large field of view without sacrificing image quality in any single region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple individual camera images into a single composite image that covers a large field of view. By combining the strengths of multiple standard-lens cameras positioned at different locations, the system achieves the broad coverage of a wide-angle lens while maintaining the optical quality of standard lenses throughout the entire scene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If distributed cameras are used to cover a large area, then the field of view is increased, but computational intensity increases due to image stitching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of viewVSAvoidcomputational intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning multiple cameras at strategically selected locations and orientations during system installation. This preliminary configuration optimizes the coverage areas and overlap regions, reducing the computational complexity required during runtime for image alignment and stitching operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single camera with wide angle lens is used to monitor multiple areas, then the number of cameras is reduced, but monitoring precision of specific areas decreases due to distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of camerasVSAvoidmonitoring precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring task by assigning different cameras to monitor specific areas of interest. Each camera is positioned and oriented to optimally capture a particular zone, ensuring high monitoring precision for that specific area without the distortion problems that would affect a single wide-angle camera attempting to cover all areas simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3332545B1Method and system for imaging in a luminaire

Publication Date: 2021.06.16 UBICQUIA IQ LLC

Figure 1~2D
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Figure 6A~6D

AI summary

There is provided a luminaire that includes a plurality of cameras supported by a member. One camera has a field of view overlapping the field of of another camera.