Multiview Camera Master-Slave Parameter Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Panoramic shooting with multiview cameras is hindered by positional deviations and time lags between images shot in different directions, making it difficult to capture panoramic movies, and requires individual setting of shooting parameters for each camera, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing device with multiple imaging units connected through an interface and logic circuit, allowing for collective control of shooting parameters via a processor, where one imaging unit is selected as a reference to set parameters, which are then applied to the others, facilitating simultaneous and synchronized image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual shooting parameters are set for each camera in a multiview camera, then each camera can be controlled independently, but it becomes time-consuming and inefficient to control all cameras collectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple imaging units by introducing a master imaging unit that stores reference shooting parameters. Instead of controlling each camera independently, the system combines parameter storage and distribution functions into a centralized structure where one unit (master) holds the parameters and distributes them to slave units, enabling collective control and significantly reducing the time and effort required for parameter setting.
2Area of stationary object
If images are shot while changing shooting direction for panoramic synthesis, then a wide view angle can be captured, but positional deviation errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by ensuring all imaging units capture images under identical shooting parameters (exposure, white balance, focus) simultaneously. This creates equal conditions for all cameras, eliminating errors caused by parameter changes during sequential shooting. By maintaining parameter consistency across all units, the system achieves accurate panoramic synthesis with wide view angle coverage without positional deviation errors.
3Ease of manufacture
If still images are shot one after another in different shooting directions, then panoramic still images can be synthesized, but time lags occur between images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging units into a single multiview camera system that operates simultaneously. By combining several cameras in one device with shared control and parameter management, the system captures all directional images at the same time rather than sequentially. This eliminates time lags between shots while maintaining the capability to synthesize panoramic still images, as all required images are available instantly for processing.
4Productivity
If multiple imaging units are used for omnidirectional capture, then panoramic movies can be shot simultaneously, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the multiview camera with a standardized master-slave architecture where one master imaging unit handles parameter storage and distribution for multiple slave units. This universal control structure allows the system to capture omnidirectional images simultaneously for panoramic movie production while managing device complexity through functional consolidation. The same master unit can control any number of slave units, making the system scalable and manageable despite having multiple imaging components.
Data Source
AI summary
A bus interface/camera control interface connects a processor and a plurality of imaging units. A control data pass-through logic exchanges data between the bus interface/camera control interface and the plurality of imaging units. A pass-through mask register includes: a write register used to specify, of the plurality of imaging units, one or more imaging units to be selected so as to selectively supply write data to the one or more imaging units; and a read register used to specify, of the plurality of imaging units, a single imaging unit to be selected so as to selectively receive read data from the single imaging unit. The control data pass-through logic can use the pass-through mask register to switch between input and output operations.