Multi-Camera Image Synthesis for Outage-Resistant Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications systems face challenges in achieving optimal reliability, information content, and transmission times, particularly in hazardous situations where different viewing angles at the second location lead to incorrect instructions and misunderstandings due to insufficient communication.
Innovation Solution
A communications system with multiple selectable transmission paths and an image synthesis apparatus that stitches image data from at least two cameras with a common center, covering a large solid angle region, ensuring real-time transmission and display of a comprehensive image, using Gbit networks and VR beamer technology for spatial display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple cameras with different viewing angles are used to provide comprehensive image coverage, then information content is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple camera views into a single synthesized overall image that provides comprehensive coverage. The image synthesis apparatus merges images from multiple cameras with different viewing angles into one unified representation, eliminating the need for separate display systems for each camera while maintaining complete spatial information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from displaying multiple 2D images separately to creating a synthesized 3D spatial representation. By generating an overall image that represents the complete solid angle region, the system adds a dimensional aspect that provides comprehensive spatial context without requiring multiple separate display devices.
2Loss of time
If real-time image transmission is implemented to enable immediate decision-making, then response time is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to network outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image synthesis at the first location before transmission to the second location. By preprocessing and combining multiple camera images into a single overall image at the source, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted in real-time, thereby maintaining response time while reducing network bandwidth requirements and improving transmission reliability.
3Loss of information
If a large solid angle region is captured to provide comprehensive situational awareness, then information content is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for camera positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of camera arrangement from requiring precise alignment to allowing flexible positioning. By using an image synthesis apparatus that can process images from cameras at various positions and angles, the system maintains comprehensive solid angle coverage without demanding high manufacturing precision for camera placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic image synthesis system that can adapt to different camera configurations. The synthesis apparatus dynamically adjusts the processing and merging of images based on the actual positions and viewing angles of the cameras, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive coverage regardless of minor positioning variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system, including an image recording device which records images at a first location and generates image data therefrom, a data transmission device which transmits the data from the first location to a second location remote from the first location via a transmission path, a first receiver device that receives the transmitted image data at the second location, with the transmission path being selected from a plurality of selectable transmission paths and the image data available at the second location being overall image data which are transmitted to the second location in real-time, which are composed in synchronized fashion by an image synthesis device from at least two individual image data generated at the same time by in each case one of at least two cameras of the image recording device and which represent the image of a solid angle range spanned by a horizontal angle range, related to the direction of gravity, of at least 7π/6 and a vertical angle range, including the horizontal in particular, of at least π/3, the solid angle range relating to a common center of the at least two cameras generating the individual image data, with the radially outermost lens of the respective camera being no more than 40 cm away from the common center.