Multi-camera alignment system with pre-computed installation states

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging technologies require significant time and effort for users to adjust the installation positions and postures of multiple imaging devices, especially when the number of devices is large, as they need to manually overlap captured images, which is cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A system or method that suggests candidate installation states for multiple imaging devices based on their current states, allowing users to easily understand and adjust the positions and postures of the devices, including the direction of the optical axis and rotation angle, to achieve better image overlap and consistency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If users manually adjust the installation positions and postures of multiple imaging devices to overlap captured images, then image alignment accuracy is improved, but the time and effort required for installation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage alignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations to determine candidate installation states for multiple imaging devices before actual installation. By pre-computing optimal positions and postures that ensure proper image overlap, users can directly install devices according to the suggested states without time-consuming manual adjustment, thus resolving the contradiction between alignment accuracy and installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The image processing device acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple imaging devices. It receives installation state information from users, calculates optimal candidate states, and provides guidance back to users. This intermediary system automates the complex alignment calculations, enabling accurate image overlap without requiring users to manually adjust each device extensively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If users manually adjust the installation positions and postures of multiple imaging devices, then image overlap quality is improved, but the complexity of the installation process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage overlap qualityVSAvoidinstallation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service installation by automatically calculating and providing candidate installation states. Users simply need to input basic information about the imaging devices, and the system handles the complex optimization calculations independently, determining optimal positions and postures that ensure proper image overlap without requiring users to understand or manage the complexity of multi-device alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of imaging devices is increased to capture more viewpoints, then imaging coverage is improved, but the time and effort required for alignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidalignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of candidate installation states for any number of imaging devices before installation begins. Whether users want to capture 3 viewpoints or 10 viewpoints, the system pre-computes the optimal arrangement for the desired number of devices, allowing straightforward installation without the alignment time normally associated with increasing device count

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts installation state parameters (positions, postures, orientations) based on the number of imaging devices and the desired imaging coverage. By changing these parameters according to the specific configuration needs, the system optimizes the arrangement for any number of devices, enabling improved imaging coverage without proportionally increasing alignment time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3008888B1Imaging system and imaging method, and program
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3008888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3008888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3008888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system that suggests candidate installation states corresponding to each of a plurality of imaging devices based on a relationship between current installation states of each of the plurality of imaging devices; and outputs a suggested candidate installation state corresponding to at least one of the plurality of imaging devices based on the current installation state of each of the plurality of imaging devices and the determined candidate installation states.