Off-Center Image Displacement for Multi-Lens Camera Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In imaging scenarios involving multiple lenses, there is a tradeoff between maximizing image resolution and minimizing peripheral cropping, particularly in cameras capturing composite images, where certain portions of the image are often obscured and of little value to the user, leading to suboptimal utilization of the imager's photosensitive elements.
Innovation Solution
The lenses are oriented to expand the image on the imager while creating at least two cropped portions, and then displaced from the center to maximize coverage and reduce or eliminate unwanted cropped areas, thereby enhancing resolution and image quality by utilizing unused imager areas without capturing undesirable parts of the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the lens is focused to produce a circular image centered on the imager, then the coverage of the imager is maximized, but the resolution is reduced due to lower utilization of photosensitive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by displacing the circular image from the center of the rectangular imager. Instead of centering the image, it positions it off-center to better utilize the rectangular photoensitive element array, thereby improving resolution without sacrificing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a centered circular image configuration to an off-center configuration that better matches the rectangular geometry of the imager. This dimensional repositioning allows more photosensitive elements to be effectively utilized, enhancing resolution.
2Measurement precision
If the lens is focused to expand the image to increase resolution, then more pixels are captured, but peripheral portions of the image are cropped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric positioning of the circular image on the rectangular imager to strategically place the crop areas in regions of least interest (typically corners). This asymmetric arrangement maximizes resolution while minimizing information loss in valuable image regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by accepting cropping in specific peripheral regions (corners) where image information is less valuable, while maintaining high resolution and full coverage in the primary regions of interest. This localized compromise optimizes overall image quality.
3Measurement precision
If the image is displaced from the center of the imager, then coverage and resolution are enhanced, but unwanted portions may still be captured in certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the circular image to create crop patterns that eliminate unwanted portions (such as hands or mounting apparatus) from specific regions. By carefully selecting the displacement position, the system maintains high resolution while removing harmful or unwanted elements from the captured image.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This technique increases the coverage and resolution of the composite image by optimizing the placement of the image on the imager, allowing for higher-quality imaging while cropping only unwanted portions, thus providing greater detail and accuracy without losing valuable image information.
Implementation Method 1
a lens typically generates a circular image
Implementation Method 2
the focusing of a fisheye lens is selected to produce a circular image
Implementation Method 3
an array of photosensitive elements that capture respective portions of the image, such a charge- coupled device (CCD) imager
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Panoramic and spherical cameras often currently capture respective portions of a scene using a set of lenses that focus images on imagers for sampling by photosensitive elements. Because the images are often circular and imagers are often rectangular, the orientation of the lenses may be selected as a tradeoff between capturing the entire image while leaving unused portions of the imager, and maximizing imager coverage to increase resolution while creating cropped image portions that extend beyond the edges of the imager. The techniques presented herein involve displacing the image from the imager center in order to increase a first cropped area and reduce or eliminate a second cropped area. The lenses may also be oriented such that the first cropped area comprises a portion of the composite image that may be acceptable to omit from the composite image (e.g., the user's hand or a camera mounting apparatus).