Multi-Sensor Camera System for Seamless Panoramic Video
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating panoramic images are user-unfriendly, requiring complex camera settings and are not suitable for capturing video images, as they often involve multiple lenses that need manual adjustments and complex processing.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with multiple lenses aligned in a single body, featuring a controller and processor to automatically align and stitch images, allowing for real-time display and storage of panoramic video images with minimal user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple lenses are used to create panoramic images, then the field of view and image quality are improved, but the device complexity and manual adjustment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple image sensors and lenses into a single integrated camera body with a unified controller that automatically coordinates all components. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual adjustments for each lens while maintaining the panoramic field of view capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically performs alignment and stitching operations without user intervention. The system self-adjusts the relative positions of multiple lenses and sensors, and automatically processes the captured images to create seamless panoramic views, replacing manual user operations.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple lenses are used for panoramic imaging, then the panoramic coverage is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically performs alignment and stitching operations without user intervention. The system self-adjusts the relative positions of multiple lenses and sensors, and automatically processes the captured images to create seamless panoramic views, replacing manual user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-aligns multiple image sensors and lenses during manufacturing or initial setup, storing the relative position data in the controller. This preliminary alignment eliminates the need for users to perform complex adjustments during operation, making the camera immediately ready for panoramic capture.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex processing is used to stitch multiple images, then the image quality is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores the relative positions and transformation parameters of multiple lenses and sensors during manufacturing or initial calibration. This preliminary preparation allows the controller to perform rapid image stitching by simply applying pre-determined transformation matrices, rather than performing complex alignment calculations in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex real-time mechanical alignment systems with computational methods. The controller uses pre-stored geometric relationships and digital image processing algorithms to achieve precise stitching, substituting physical adjustment mechanisms with software-based solutions that are faster and more consistent.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple lenses are used for panoramic video capture, then the video field of view is improved, but the adaptability to different shooting scenarios deteriorates due to fixed manual settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of multiple lenses and sensors based on the captured scene. The controller can selectively activate different sensor combinations, adjust exposure settings, and modify stitching parameters in real-time based on lighting conditions, subject distance, and desired compositional effects, enabling adaptability across various shooting scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Active areas of image sensors are determined by one or more parameters defining a mergeline or memory addresses where image data is stored. Image data generated by active areas of different image sensors are combined to create a panoramic image. Image distortion is detected in image data generated by an active area of an image sensor. Distortion in image data is addressed by configured image processing instructions. A dedicated image processor is assigned to at least each image sensor. At least one set of instructions assures that connecting image data generated by different image sensors is smoothed and/or blended to create a combined image with a substantially seamless transition between areas.