Prism-Integrated Wide-Angle Camera for Low-Distortion 3D Survey Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide-angle cameras suffer from distortion and reduced resolution in peripheral portions of images, which deteriorate the accuracy of combining these images with three-dimensional point cloud data.
Innovation Solution
A wide-angle camera device comprising multiple cameras with integrated prisms that deflect and overlap optical axes, minimizing parallax and entrance pupil distances to reduce distortion and improve resolution, integrated with a survey system for precise image and point cloud data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a wide-angle lens is used to capture images at a wide angle of view, then the angle of view is increased, but distortion and reduced resolution occur in the peripheral portion of the image
Solution Approach 1:
The wide-angle camera device divides the imaging function into multiple cameras, each capturing a specific field of view. By segmenting the overall wide-angle imaging task into multiple narrower-angle shots, each camera can maintain high image quality while collectively covering a wide area. The multiple images are then synthesized to create a comprehensive wide-angle view without peripheral distortion.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras are used to reduce distortion, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cameras are integrated into a single wide-angle camera device with a unified structure. The cameras are arranged and optically coupled through prisms to form a compact integrated system. This merging approach maintains high image quality through multiple imaging units while reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical systems of multiple cameras are nested within a single device housing, with prisms and optical components arranged in a compact nested configuration. This allows multiple imaging functions to be contained within a unified structural envelope, reducing complexity while maintaining the benefits of multiple cameras.
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 device achieves wide-angle imaging with minimal distortion and improved resolution, enabling accurate combination of images with point cloud data for enhanced understanding and viewability.
Implementation Method 1
The prisms have a reflection surface, and the optical axes of the cameras are deflected by the reflection surface
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a wide-angle camera device having a wide angle of view with less distortion in a peripheral portion of an image, and with less deterioration in resolution, and a survey system capable of acquiring an image including three-dimensional point cloud data. Resolution means: A wide-angle camera device includes a plurality of cameras 2a and 2b. The cameras 2a and 2b respectively include imaging lens rear groups 10a and 10b as objective lenses, imaging lens front groups 11a and 11b as image forming lenses, prisms 6a and 6b that optically couple the imaging lens rear groups and the imaging lens front groups, and image sensors 8a and 8b that optically receive images formed by the imaging lens rear groups. The plurality of cameras are integrated by the prisms being bonded or brought into close contact with each other. Angles of view of adjacent ones of the cameras partially overlap each other. Entrance pupil positions Oa and Ob of the cameras are formed between the imaging lens front groups and the prisms, respectively. An intersection point of optical axes is a camera origin O.