Multi-Camera Composite Imaging for Depth-of-Field Contradictions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cameras with a single optical chain struggle to capture sharp images of objects at different distances within a scene, as they can only focus on a specific distance, leading to blurry objects outside this range.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple camera modules with different depths of field, focal lengths, apertures, and sensor pixel sizes captures images in parallel, analyzing sharpness levels through depth information and frequency analysis to combine the sharpest image portions into a composite image, ensuring all objects within a scene are in focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single camera module with a specific focal length and aperture is used, then the image quality at the focused distance is sharp, but objects at other distances become blurry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging task into multiple segments by using several camera modules, each optimized for different depth ranges. Each camera module captures images of objects within its optimal focus range, and the system segments the scene into multiple depth zones that are imaged by different cameras simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key optical parameters (focal length and aperture) across different camera modules to create varied depth of field characteristics. By using camera modules with different focal lengths (e.g., 28mm, 52mm, 85mm) and different aperture sizes, the system creates multiple images with different sharpness profiles at different distances
2Measurement precision
If multiple camera modules with different depths of field are used in parallel, then sharp images can be captured at multiple distances, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outputs of multiple camera modules into a single composite image. The image processing system combines the sharp image portions from different camera modules at different depths, selecting and integrating the best-focused regions from each camera's output to create one unified sharp image
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the imaging system (multiple camera modules) with different optical characteristics, then uses image processing to select and combine the sharpest portions from each copy. The system captures redundant information from multiple copies and extracts the useful sharp portions
3Measurement precision
If a camera module with larger aperture and narrower field of view is used, then image sharpness at a specific distance improves, but the coverage area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the overall imaging system universal by using multiple camera modules with different field of view and aperture characteristics. Each camera module is optimized for specific conditions (narrow FOV with large aperture for distant sharp images, wide FOV with smaller aperture for broader coverage), and the system selects from these multiple functions to achieve the desired result
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for generating a sharp image are described. A camera device includes a plurality of camera modules, e.g., optical chains, where at least some of the camera modules have different depths of field. Multiple images of a scene are captured using the plurality of camera modules. Portions of the multiple images which correspond to the same scene area are identified. Image portion sharpness levels are determined for individual image portions. Image portions with high sharpness levels are selected and included in a composite image.