Synchronized Multi-Imager System for Seamless Panoramic Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imager systems with normal lenses have limited field of view and suffer from perspective distortion when using wide-angle or fisheye lenses, and multi-imager systems experience temporal distortion due to unsynchronized image capture.
Innovation Solution
A synchronized multiple imager system with a clock circuit and processor that generates and processes vertical raster streams from multiple imagers to stitch images seamlessly, correcting for geometric distortions and ensuring temporal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If wide-angle lens is used to extend field of view, then field of view is improved, but perspective distortion occurs and detail resolution ability is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the extended field of view into multiple separate image captures taken from different positions along the optical axis. Each image is captured with a normal lens to avoid distortion, then the images are stitched together to form a composite panoramic image with both extended field of view and preserved detail resolution.
2Area of moving object
If fisheye lens is used to extend field of view, then field of view is improved, but barrel distortion occurs and detail resolution ability is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single fisheye lens capture, the system segments the field of view into multiple normal lens captures taken from different axial positions. This avoids the barrel distortion and resolution loss inherent in fisheye lenses while achieving the same extended field of view through image composition.
3Area of moving object
If multiple imagers are used to provide extended field of view, then field of view is improved, but temporal distortion occurs when images are not captured time synchronized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing multiple images from different positions before the object completes its motion across the extended field of view. The images are captured in rapid succession with precise temporal coordination, ensuring that all images represent the same moment in time, thereby preventing temporal distortion in the final stitched image.
4Manufacturing precision
If normal lens is used, then detail resolution ability is improved, but field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from capturing the extended field of view in a single two-dimensional plane with a wide-angle lens to capturing it across multiple two-dimensional planes at different axial positions. By stacking these images along the optical axis and stitching them, the system achieves extended field of view while maintaining the superior detail resolution of normal lenses.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment relates to a synchronized multiple imager system includes a plurality of imagers. One or more respective sensors are coupled to the imagers. The sensors output a vertical raster stream representative of pixel data from pixel columns, thereby generating a plurality of vertical raster streams. A clock circuit synchronizes the sensors to sense selected columns in the imagers and to output the vertical raster streams from the selected columns. A processor circuit stitches seam vertical raster streams from adjacent pairs of imagers. The synchronized multiple imager system may further include a plurality of input buffers coupled to respective sensors. The clock circuit may include input flip-flops configured to acquire the vertical raster stream from respective imagers in accordance with an imager bus clock. The clock circuit may further include asynchronous FIFOs to de-skew the vertical raster streams. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.