Omnidirectional Camera Lens Parallax Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional omnidirectional cameras face challenges in capturing a complete spherical field of view without parallax effects, as multiple lenses stitched together can create artifacts due to different perspectives, and achieving a common center of projection for all lenses is impractical.
Innovation Solution
The design employs a plurality of lenses arranged in subsets with neighboring lenses having optical axes configured to not intersect, positioning their centers of projection close to a common location, and tilting them to minimize parallax effects, allowing for a compact, mirror-free omnidirectional camera that captures a spherical field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple lenses are used to capture spherical field of view, then coverage is improved, but parallax artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by orienting neighboring lenses differently - specifically, optical axes of neighboring lenses are configured to not intersect, with at least one lens tilted relative to others. This localized differentiation in lens orientation reduces parallax artifacts in overlapping regions while maintaining comprehensive spherical coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by deliberately creating non-uniform lens orientations where neighboring lenses have different tilt angles and optical axis directions. This asymmetric arrangement prevents the optical axes from intersecting at a common point, thereby minimizing parallax effects that would otherwise occur with symmetric multi-lens configurations.
2Area of moving object
If multiple images are stitched together to provide 360 degree coverage, then field of view is improved, but blending artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses blending artifacts by applying different optical orientations to neighboring lenses, which reduces parallax differences in overlapping regions. This local differentiation ensures smoother transitions when images are stitched together, minimizing visible blending artifacts while maintaining complete 360-degree coverage.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If centers of projection are positioned close to common location, then parallax is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the orientation parameters (tilt angles and optical axis directions) of individual lenses to achieve non-intersecting optical axes. This parameter optimization positions centers of projection close to a common location, reducing parallax effects while maintaining a manageable lens arrangement through calculated geometric relationships.
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 configuration reduces parallax artifacts, provides a seamless spherical field of view, and maintains a compact design without the fragility associated with mirrors, enhancing user experience by minimizing distracting visual artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
each have an optical axis directed to provide coverage for a respective area of the spherical field of view
Implementation Method 2
The parallax effects are reduced by configuring the optical axes of the neighboring lenses to not intersect
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a plurality of lenses and a frame. The plurality of lenses may be arranged to provide coverage for a spherical field of view of a scene surrounding the apparatus and each have an optical axis directed to provide coverage for a respective area of the spherical field of view. The frame may be configured to hold a first subset of the plurality of lenses and a second subset of the plurality of lenses. At least one of the lenses in the first subset and at least one of the lenses in the second subset are neighboring lenses. An orientation of at least two of the neighboring lenses is configured to reduce parallax effects when the spherical field of view is recorded using the plurality of lenses. The parallax effects are reduced by configuring the optical axes of the neighboring lenses to not intersect.