Retractable Panoramic Camera Module Multi-Camera Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Panoramic images captured using traditional stitching techniques often suffer from artifacts such as motion blur, warping, and distortion due to user movement, leading to poorly stitched areas and missing features, especially when objects or individuals move within the scene during image capture.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a retractable camera module that can extend and rotate, using one or more cameras with wide-angle or fisheye lenses to capture images from multiple directions, which are then stitched into a 360-degree panoramic image, allowing for stable and complete scene capture without user movement artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional panoramic stitching techniques are used with a single camera, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to motion blur, warping, and distortion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The panoramic camera system divides the scene capture into multiple segments by using multiple cameras positioned at different locations within the housing. Each camera captures a specific portion of the panoramic scene simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential capture and reducing motion-related artifacts. The segmented images are then stitched together to form the complete panoramic view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-camera sequential capture approach to a multi-camera simultaneous capture approach by adding spatial dimensionality. Multiple cameras are positioned at different locations and orientations within the housing, capturing images from multiple dimensions at the same time, thereby eliminating motion blur and warping artifacts.
2Device complexity
If a user physically moves the camera to capture panoramic images, then equipment complexity is minimized, but image stitching quality deteriorates due to varying movement speeds and hand stability
Solution Approach 1:
The panoramic camera system performs self-service by automatically capturing images from multiple predetermined positions and orientations simultaneously. The system eliminates the need for user manipulation by having the cameras fixed in the housing, with each camera automatically capturing its designated portion of the scene. This ensures consistent capture conditions and reliable stitching quality without depending on user skill or stability.
3Area of moving object
If multiple images are captured over an extended period for panoramic stitching, then field of view coverage is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to moving objects appearing multiple times or being distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by capturing all panoramic images simultaneously in a single moment rather than sequentially over time. The multiple cameras are triggered at the same instant, freezing the scene and preventing moving objects from appearing in multiple positions or being distorted. This simultaneous periodic capture maintains both complete field of view coverage and accurate representation of moving objects.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device includes a camera module that can alternate between a retracted state and an extended state. In the retracted state, the camera module is retracted into a recess in a housing of the mobile device. In the extended state, the camera module extends from the housing. While in the extended state, one or more cameras of the camera module capture images. A processor of the mobile device stitches the images into a panoramic image that optionally provides a 360 degree view. While in the extended state, the camera module may optionally rotate or fold.