Parabolic Light Directing Elements for Parallax-Free Panoramic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panoramic image recording systems face challenges with parallax errors and are limited in capturing high-resolution, metrically correct images, especially when moving or recording movies, due to the need for stitching multiple images with overlapping fields of view, which introduces physical boundary deformations and is not suitable for dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A system using a plurality of optical pairs with light directing elements arranged on parabolas, where each optical camera appears to record images from a focus point, allowing for parallax error reduction and improved stitching by overlapping focus points and using a controller to synchronize camera triggers for consistent image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to increase panoramic image resolution, then image resolution is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of stitching images increase
Solution Approach 1:
The panoramic image capture is segmented into multiple partial images captured by individual cameras positioned at different locations. Each camera captures a specific portion of the panoramic scene, and these segments are later stitched together to form the complete high-resolution panoramic image. This segmentation approach allows the system to achieve high resolution without requiring a single complex camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual reference point (or virtual camera position) is introduced as an intermediary concept to coordinate the positioning and orientation of multiple physical cameras. By referencing all cameras to this virtual point, the system simplifies the complexity of managing multiple cameras, ensuring proper alignment and reducing stitching difficulties while maintaining high resolution capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If cameras are positioned to capture overlapping fields of view for proper stitching, then stitching quality is improved, but physical boundaries (edges of mirrors or lenses) introduce deformations that worsen image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a virtual reference point that copies the essential positioning and orientation properties needed for accurate stitching, without requiring physical overlap of camera fields of view. This virtual copy allows images to be aligned mathematically rather than requiring physical overlap, thereby avoiding boundary deformations while maintaining stitching accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional field of view overlap approach to a three-dimensional spatial positioning approach using the virtual reference point. By defining camera positions and orientations in 3D space relative to the virtual point, the system achieves accurate stitching without requiring overlapping image regions, thus avoiding the boundary deformation problem.
3Device complexity
If a single camera is used to record multiple images for panoramic composition, then device complexity is reduced, but the system becomes unsuitable for dynamic environments and movie recording
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the panoramic capture task across multiple cameras positioned at different locations, allowing simultaneous capture of multiple portions of the scene. This segmentation enables the system to handle dynamic environments and record panoramic movies, as each camera captures its portion independently and concurrently, rather than requiring sequential capture by a single rotating camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-camera system with virtual reference point positioning provides universal applicability to both static panoramic image capture and dynamic panoramic movie recording. The same system configuration serves multiple functions - capturing still panoramic images and recording panoramic video sequences - without requiring different hardware configurations, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
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, parallax error-free panoramic images by ensuring all cameras appear to record from the same virtual entrance pupil position, reducing stitching errors and enabling metrically correct images, even in dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
a light directing element and an optical camera
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system, a device, and vehicle for recording panoramic images. According to the present invention, panoramic images can be obtained using a plurality of optical cameras and light directing elements which are arranged based on a parabola. This allows a compact device to be obtained while ensuring that each camera records a partial image as if it were at substantially the same focus point as the other cameras. By arranging the plurality of cameras and light directing elements such that the respective focus points are slightly offset relative to each other, a slight overlap between adjacent field of views can be obtained to improve stitching of the partial images to from the panoramic image.