Stereo Camera Depth Resolution via Tilted Sensor Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stereo digital cameras face challenges in achieving high depth resolution suitable for industrial applications due to limitations in baseline and focal length, making it difficult to develop miniature systems with accurate depth resolution capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a pair of camera devices with tilted fields of view that are at least partially overlapping, allowing for improved depth resolution by increasing pixel disparity without increasing the physical baseline, achieved through the use of a processor that combines images from these camera devices and adjusts the tilting and positioning of image sensors to maximize the common working field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If baseline and focal length are increased to improve depth resolution, then depth resolution is improved, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by tilting the image sensors away from the baseline axis, introducing a vertical angle dimension to the traditionally horizontal stereo configuration. This allows the system to achieve greater pixel disparity and improved depth resolution without increasing the horizontal baseline distance between cameras, effectively resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the stereo system by introducing tilt angles for the image sensors. Instead of only varying baseline distance and focal length, the system now utilizes sensor orientation angles as an additional adjustable parameter to optimize depth resolution within a compact footprint.
2Measurement precision
If baseline is increased to improve depth resolution, then depth resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By tilting the image sensors, the patent achieves improved depth resolution without requiring a larger baseline, thereby avoiding the increased mechanical complexity that would result from accommodating a larger baseline distance in the device structure.
3Measurement precision
If focal length is increased to improve depth resolution, then depth resolution is improved, but field of view decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric configuration by introducing tilt angles, which allows the system to achieve improved depth resolution without increasing focal length. This preserves the original field of view while still enhancing depth measurement capability through the angular orientation of the sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A stereo camera device with tilted fields of view is provided, which includes a pair of camera devices located such that respective fields of view (FOVs) of the pair of camera devices are tilted away from each other, and at least partially overlapping in a common working FOV. The device further includes a processor which receives respective images from each of the pair of camera devices, combines respective portions of the respective images corresponding to the common working FOV into stereo images.