Staggered Multi-Camera Capture Eliminates Photographer Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capturing apparatuses fail to prevent a certain subject, such as a photographer, from being reflected in the captured images when capturing a wide field of view, as they simultaneously capture images from multiple imaging devices.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with multiple imaging devices and a processor that controls the devices to capture images at different timings, allowing the processor to combine the images and prevent the subject from being reflected by staggering the exposure times of the image capturing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If images are captured simultaneously by multiple imaging devices to achieve a wide field of view, then the coverage area is improved, but the photographer or unwanted subject is reflected in the captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by capturing images at different timings using multiple imaging devices. The processor controls each imaging device to capture images at staggered time intervals, creating a temporal sequence of captures. This periodic timing difference ensures that the photographer moves out of the image range between captures, eliminating unwanted reflections while maintaining comprehensive field of view coverage through the combination of multiple images.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If images are captured at different timings by multiple imaging devices to prevent subject reflection, then the unwanted subject is excluded from images, but the image combining process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the processor as an intermediary that automatically manages the complexity of combining images captured at different timings. The processor receives images from multiple imaging devices, identifies the temporal relationships between captures, and performs automated alignment and combination. This intermediary processing role simplifies the overall system operation while effectively eliminating subject reflections through timed captures.
3Speed
If multiple imaging devices capture images simultaneously, then the capturing speed is improved, but the discontinuity at joining parts of images occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between capturing speed and joining continuity by implementing periodic action with staggered timing. Each imaging device captures images at different time intervals, creating an overlapping temporal sequence. The processor combines these sequentially captured images with proper alignment, ensuring continuity at joining parts while maintaining efficient capturing speed through parallel operation of multiple devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of imaging devices each of which including an optical system and an image sensor; and a processor. The processor is configured to control the plurality of imaging devices to capture images at a different timing; and combine the images captured by the plurality of imaging devices to generate a combined image. The images to be combined are images captured by the plurality of imaging devices at different timings.