Multi-Direction Imaging System for Uncropped 360-Degree Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems fail to produce a 360-degree image without cutting off subjects at the edges, especially when displaying spherical images on general-purpose viewers or VR viewers.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with multiple imaging devices facing different directions captures images, generating a 360-degree output image by placing the subject at a predetermined position to prevent cutting off areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spherical image is displayed as a rectangular image on a general-purpose viewer, then the image can be viewed on standard displays, but the subject (e.g., photographer's face) may be cut off at the edges
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the subject's position and orientation in the captured spherical image. Based on this detection, the system calculates and applies a rotation transformation to reposition the subject to a predetermined safe zone within the image before output. This preliminary action ensures that when the image is displayed on general-purpose viewers, the subject will not be cut off at the edges, thus resolving the contradiction between viewer compatibility and subject positioning accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the spherical image is rotated to position the subject at the center, then the subject is prominently displayed, but the image may not cover the full 360-degree range in all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing to different regions of the spherical image based on their importance. The subject detection unit identifies the subject's location, and the rotation transformation unit selectively rotates only the portion of the image containing the subject to a predetermined position, while maintaining the overall 360-degree spherical structure. This local quality approach ensures subject prominence without sacrificing the complete spherical coverage, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple fish-eye lenses are used to capture 360-degree images, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the complexity of the imaging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single imaging device (camera) that can perform multiple functions: capturing the spherical image, detecting the subject's position and orientation, and providing the data needed for rotation transformation. By making the imaging device universal and multi-functional, the system achieves 360-degree imaging coverage without requiring multiple separate fish-eye lenses, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging coverage area and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a plurality of imaging devices facing different directions and an output unit configured to output an output image generated based on the captured images. The plurality of imaging devices is configured to capture images. The output image having been generated based on the captured images covers a range of 360 degrees in at least a first direction. In the output image, an area where a subject is reflected in the captured images is placed at a predetermined position so as to prevent the area from being cut off at the edges of the output image.