Single Lens Camera 3D Image Formation via Parallax Stitching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The need for new methods to form and capture images that utilize the versatility of current display technology without requiring specialized and expensive camera equipment, while enabling the creation of three-dimensional images from a single lens digital camera.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of combined images from overlapping partial views captured by a digital camera, where each image is divided into parts to create a perceivable parallax effect, allowing for the presentation of panoramic three-dimensional images without the need for specialized equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single lens digital camera is used to capture images, then the cost and complexity of equipment is reduced, but the ability to capture panoramic views and create three-dimensional images is limited by the camera's field of view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera equipmentVSAvoidviewing angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The panoramic view is divided into multiple overlapping partial views captured by the single lens camera. Each partial view covers a different angular sector, and these segments are later stitched together to form the complete panoramic image, allowing the single camera to achieve coverage equivalent to multiple cameras or a specialized panoramic camera.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from capturing two-dimensional images to creating three-dimensional panoramic images by combining multiple partial views taken at different angles. This dimensional expansion allows the single camera to produce immersive 360-degree panoramic content that goes beyond the limitations of its fixed field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple overlapping images are captured and processed to form panoramic views, then the viewing angle and coverage are improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanoramic coverageVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system captures multiple overlapping partial views in a systematic sequence during the panoramic acquisition process. This preliminary organization of images with known spatial relationships and overlaps enables more efficient stitching and processing later, reducing computational complexity compared to random or unstructured image capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If images are divided into parts to create parallax effect for three-dimensional presentation, then the depth perception and realism are improved, but the image processing complexity and data manipulation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth perception accuracyVSAvoidimage processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each captured image is divided into multiple parts or regions that correspond to different spatial sectors of the panoramic view. This segmentation enables selective processing of image portions to enhance depth perception through parallax effects, while maintaining manageable data sizes and processing requirements through localized rather than global manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 the creation of realistic three-dimensional images with depth perception using a single lens digital camera, reducing the need for expensive equipment and allowing for panoramic viewing angles beyond the camera's field of view.

Implementation Method 1

there is an overlap between partial views depicted in pairs of consecutive images, forming a first combined image from the first image parts, which first combined image depicts a first continuous view, and forming a second combined image from the second image parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParallax: Parallax

Data Source

PatentEP2603834B1Method for forming images
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2603834B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2c
  • EP2603834B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2603834B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided a method for forming images, comprising: providing a plurality of images, each image including a first image part and a second image part, and each image depicting a respective partial view, wherein there is an overlap between partial views depicted in pairs of consecutive images, forming a first combined image from said first image parts, which first combined image depicts a first continuous view, and forming a second combined image from said second image parts, which second combined image depicts a second continuous view, wherein the first and the second continuous views overlap.