Stereo Imaging Optical System with Gradient Magnification Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereo imaging systems face challenges in securing wide-angle field of view and far-side resolution precision while maintaining a compact size and reducing costs, as they often compromise on resolution or increase data processing demands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image capturing optical system with gradient decreasing and increasing regions, allowing for a wider field of view and higher far-side resolution precision, achieved by partitioning the image capture region into telephoto and wide-angle regions with distinct optical properties, including different focal lengths and distortion characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the field of view is set wider, then the coverage area is improved, but the far-side resolution precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture region is divided into two distinct regions: a telephoto region with higher resolution characteristics and a wide-angle region with broader coverage. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, with the telephoto region maintaining high resolution for distant objects while the wide-angle region provides extensive coverage, thereby resolving the contradiction between field of view and resolution precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different optical properties are assigned to different regions of the image capture apparatus. The telephoto region employs optical characteristics optimized for high resolution and minimal distortion, while the wide-angle region uses characteristics optimized for broad coverage. This local differentiation of quality allows the system to achieve both wide field of view and high far-side resolution precision in their respective regions without compromise.
2Measurement precision
If the far-side resolution precision is set with higher priority, then the measurement precision is improved, but the data amount to be processed increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the image capture region into telephoto and wide-angle regions, the system processes high-resolution data only where necessary (telephoto region), while using lower-resolution data in the wide-angle region. This reduces the overall data amount to be processed while maintaining high far-side resolution precision in the telephoto region where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies high-resolution capture only to the extent necessary for achieving far-side resolution precision in the telephoto region, rather than uniformly across the entire field of view. This partial application of high-resolution capture reduces the total data amount processed while still achieving the required measurement precision in critical areas.
3Measurement precision
If the far-side resolution precision is set with higher priority, then the measurement precision is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-region design allows the system to achieve high far-side resolution precision in the telephoto region without requiring the entire system to be built to high-resolution specifications. This segmentation enables cost-effective manufacturing by applying high-precision optical components only where necessary, rather than uniformly across all components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels are implemented in different regions: the telephoto region uses high-precision optical characteristics for far-side resolution, while the wide-angle region uses more cost-effective optical characteristics optimized for coverage. This local quality differentiation reduces overall system cost while maintaining the required measurement precision in the telephoto region.
4Measurement precision
If the far-side resolution precision is set with higher priority, then the measurement precision is improved, but the distance between the two camera units increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the image capture region into telephoto and wide-angle regions, the system can achieve high far-side resolution precision in the telephoto region without requiring a large baseline distance between cameras. The segmented approach allows the telephoto region to provide accurate depth measurement at shorter distances, reducing the need for large camera separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The telephoto region is optimized with optical characteristics that provide high resolution and accurate depth perception at closer distances, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision without increasing the distance between camera units. This local optimization eliminates the need for large baseline separation that would otherwise be required.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes an imaging element, and an image capturing optical system configured to generate an image of an object on the imaging element. The image capturing optical system has a gradient decreasing region in which a change of a gradient of an image magnification rate with respect to an angle of view of the image generated on the imaging element decreases as a concerned position deviates farther away from an optical axis of the image capturing optical system, and a gradient increasing region in which the change of the gradient of the image magnification rate with respect to the angle of view of the image generated on the imaging element increases as the concerned position deviates farther away from the optical axis of the image capturing optical system.