Omnidirectional Imaging via Shared Reflection Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Omnidirectional image capture systems using two wide-angle lenses face challenges in reducing the 'imaging impossible space portion' and parallax issues due to the large distance between maximum field angles, which complicates lens design and results in incomplete image capture and lower resolution.
Innovation Solution
The system combines two imaging systems with wide-angle lenses, each having a front and rear group with a common reflection surface made of right angle prisms, where the reflection surfaces are integrated to reduce the distance between maximum field angles and parallax, allowing for a more compact design and improved image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If two wide-angle lenses with large field angles are combined to reduce imaging impossible space portion, then the coverage area is improved, but the distance between maximum field angles increases causing larger parallax and shifting on imaging element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two wide-angle lens systems with a shared imaging element, merging their optical paths to achieve omnidirectional coverage while managing parallax through careful optical design. The two lens systems are positioned to capture overlapping fields of view, and the imaging element is shared between them to reduce the distance between maximum field angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests one lens system within or adjacent to the other in a compact configuration, allowing the two wide-angle lenses to be positioned close together. This nested arrangement reduces the overall distance between the maximum field angles of the two systems while maintaining their individual coverage areas.
2Device complexity
If individual light-guide devices are used for each wide-angle lens, then the optical path is simplified, but the distance between maximum field angles cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light-guide functions into a shared structure that serves both lens systems. Instead of using separate light-guide devices for each wide-angle lens, a common light-guide path is implemented that accommodates both optical systems, thereby reducing the distance between maximum field angles while maintaining optical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal light-guide structure that performs multiple functions: guiding light from both wide-angle lenses to the shared imaging element, and simultaneously maintaining compact positioning of the lens systems. This multi-functional design reduces the distance between maximum field angles without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If larger field angles are used to reduce imaging impossible space portion, then the coverage is improved, but the design condition of lenses becomes more severe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two lens systems with moderate field angles to achieve the equivalent coverage of a single lens with an extremely wide field angle. By merging the capabilities of two more manageable lens designs, the system achieves omnidirectional coverage while avoiding the severe manufacturing challenges associated with designing and producing single lenses with field angles exceeding 180 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the omnidirectional imaging function into two separate wide-angle lens systems, each with a field angle greater than 180 degrees but not excessively so. This segmentation allows each lens to be designed and manufactured with reasonable precision requirements, rather than attempting to create a single lens with an impractically wide field angle.
4Area of stationary object
If the distance between maximum field angles is reduced, then the imaging impossible space portion is reduced, but the lens configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of two lens systems to share a common imaging element and light-guide structure. This merging reduces the distance between maximum field angles and eliminates imaging impossible space portions, while the shared components prevent a proportional increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions one lens system within or adjacent to the other in a nested configuration, allowing compact arrangement that reduces the distance between maximum field angles. This nested structure achieves complete imaging coverage without requiring a complex distributed arrangement of multiple independent lens systems.
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 effectively reduces the imaging impossible space portion and parallax, enabling a more accurate and complete omnidirectional image capture with higher resolution by minimizing the distance between the lenses and aligning the reflection surfaces for precise image formation.
Implementation Method 1
bends an optical axis of the front group toward the rear group by the reflection surface
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture system including two imaging systems of the same structure each having a wide-angle lens, which includes a front group, a reflection surface, and a rear group arranged in order from an object side, has a field angle larger than 180 degrees, and bends an optical axis of the front group toward the rear group by the reflection surface, and an imaging sensor, obtains an image in a solid angle of 4π radian by combining images imaged by the imaging systems. Each of the two wide-angle lenses includes the reflection surface between the front group and the rear group, the reflection surfaces are made to be common to the two imaging systems. This reduces an interval between lenses nearest to the object side in the front groups of the two wide-angle lenses, thereby reducing a distance between maximum field angles of the two wide-angle lenses.