Panoramic Imaging System With Steerable Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panoramic imaging systems face challenges with low resolution in areas and increased costs due to the need for multiple imagers or heavy, unreliable PTZ imagers with extensive motion ranges.
Innovation Solution
A panoramic imaging system incorporating a full field imager and a steerable zoom imager with a beam splitter to provide high-resolution images of objects of interest with minimal moving parts, allowing for efficient object detection and identification across a wide field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single imager with extreme fish eye lens or catadioptric lens is used, then the system achieves panoramic field of view, but the image resolution becomes low in areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the panoramic imaging function into multiple specialized imagers: a full-field imager for wide coverage and additional imagers for specific angular ranges. Each imager captures images in its designated field of view, and the processor combines these segmented views to create a high-resolution panoramic image, resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single two-dimensional image capture to a multi-dimensional approach by using multiple imagers positioned at different angular locations. This spatial dimensionality allows simultaneous capture of wide field of view and high resolution in different regions, which are then synthesized into a comprehensive panoramic image.
2Measurement precision
If multiple imagers are used to achieve panoramic view, then the image resolution improves, but the system cost increases due to large array of imagers
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to different imagers based on their positioning. The full-field imager handles wide-area surveillance with lower resolution requirements, while additional imagers positioned at specific angles provide high-resolution coverage for areas of interest. This localized optimization reduces the total number of high-performance imagers needed while maintaining overall system resolution.
3Measurement precision
If a PTZ imager is mounted on panoramic system, then zoom capability is provided, but the system weight increases and reliability decreases due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) mechanism with a stationary multi-imager configuration. Instead of physically moving a single imager to achieve zoom and directional coverage, multiple fixed imagers are positioned at different angles and focal lengths. The processor electronically synthesizes the zoomed views by selecting and processing images from appropriate imagers, eliminating mechanical moving parts and improving reliability while maintaining zoom capability.
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
The system achieves high-resolution object identification with reduced complexity and weight, enabling effective surveillance and collision avoidance systems with reduced reliability issues and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a panoramic mirror configured to reflect an image over a field of view of at least about 180 degrees in a horizontal direction
Implementation Method 2
a steerable beam splitter in an optical path of the reflected image from the panoramic device
Data Source
AI summary
A panoramic imaging system that uses a second imager, in addition to a full field imager, that provides zoom capabilities with minimal moving parts. The second imager provides the ability to focus on and identify objects of interest that are detected by the full field imager. A steerable beam splitter can be provided to direct images to the full field imager and the zoom imager. The panoramic imaging system can be used in a number of different areas, for example surveillance or reconnaissance systems or in a sense and avoid type of collision avoidance system for aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles.