Polarization Camera Direction Detection Using Partial Sky Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for detecting the sun orientation or camera direction require a bulky sensor that captures the whole sky, which is not user-friendly and fails in various shooting situations, such as when the camera is rotated or used under a roof, and struggles with intense sunlight.
Innovation Solution
A direction detector that captures polarization images and luminance images to generate a clear sky polarization angle image, estimating the camera's direction based on this information without needing a whole sky sensor, using a database or calculations to determine the sun's position and adjust for tilt and angle of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a whole sky sensor is used to detect sun orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sky into multiple regions (first sky region and second sky region) and uses separate image capture sections for each region. This segmentation allows the system to detect sun orientation using only partial sky information rather than requiring a complete whole-sky sensor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses only the necessary portion of the sky (first sky region and optionally second sky region) for sun direction detection rather than capturing the entire sky. This partial action approach achieves accurate sun orientation detection without requiring a bulky whole-sky sensor, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a whole sky sensor is arranged at the top of the camera, then sun direction detection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sky capture function into multiple smaller image capture sections (first image capture section and second image capture section) positioned at different locations on the camera. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single bulky whole-sky sensor at the top, making the camera more portable and easier to operate while maintaining accurate light-source direction detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves sun direction detection using only partial sky regions rather than the entire sky, allowing the use of smaller, less bulky image capture sections distributed on the camera body. This partial action approach improves ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
3Loss of information
If the sensor captures the whole sky, then light-source information completeness is improved, but adaptability to various shooting situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple image capture sections (first and second image capture sections) at different locations on the camera body, each capturing different sky regions. This segmentation ensures that at least one section can capture the sun regardless of camera orientation or shooting situation, improving adaptability while maintaining light-source information completeness through the combined data from multiple sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple image capture sections positioned at different locations that dynamically adapt to various shooting situations. Depending on camera orientation and sun position, different sections become active for detection, making the system versatile across different shooting scenarios while maintaining complete light-source information.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor is arranged at the top of the camera for whole sky capture, then sun detection capability is improved, but adaptability to rotated camera positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sky capture function across multiple image capture sections positioned at different locations on the camera (first image capture section and second image capture section). This segmentation ensures that when the camera is rotated to different positions, at least one section maintains a favorable orientation for capturing the sun, thereby maintaining sun orientation detection accuracy while adapting to various camera positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic detection system where multiple image capture sections are positioned to cover different sky regions. As the camera rotates or changes orientation, the system dynamically selects and uses the appropriate image capture section that has the optimal viewing angle for sun detection, maintaining measurement precision across all camera positions.
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
Enables flexible detection of the camera's direction relative to the sun using partial sky polarization information, improving usability and accuracy across different shooting scenarios without the need for bulky equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an image capturing section for capturing polarization images, including at least a polarization angle image
Implementation Method 2
the whole sky polarization state... sky polarization... polarization state of sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
A polarization camera that can capture polarization images and a color image at the same time is used. Specifically, a clear sky polarization image, which provides information about the polarization of a part of the sky, is captured by a clear sky polarization image capturing section 100. And by reference to the information provided by a sun position determining section 1301 that determines the sun's position at the time of shooting, a camera direction estimating section 101 determines in what direction and in what area of the whole sky the clear sky polarization image is located as a polarization pattern. Finally, information about what direction or orientation on the globe the camera (image capture device) is now facing is output. In this manner, the direction of the camera and the relative position of the camera with respect to the sun can be known without providing a sensor separately and without capturing the whole sky or the sun.