Stereoscopic Wide Field of View Imaging System Using Multi-Camera Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing omni-directional and stereographic images face limitations such as low frame-rate, high maintenance requirements, resolution loss due to distortion, and increased bandwidth demands, particularly when trying to cover wide fields of view with fewer cameras, which results in obscuration issues.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic imaging system utilizing multiple cameras arranged to capture a wide field of view or panoramic images, with images from each camera combined to provide depth perception and transmitted to display devices for 3D viewing, allowing independent access and processing to achieve high resolution and low distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a single camera captures a wide field-of-view image using a specially shaped optical element, then the field of view is expanded, but significant distortion occurs causing resolution loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple separate cameras, each capturing a portion of the overall scene. Instead of using one camera with a distorted wide-angle lens, the system segments the field of view across multiple cameras with smaller, lower-distortion lenses, thereby maintaining higher resolution while achieving wide coverage through stitching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-camera 2D imaging approach to a multi-camera spatial arrangement that captures the scene from multiple positions and angles. By adding the spatial dimension of multiple camera locations, the system achieves wide field of view without the distortion penalties of extreme wide-angle lenses.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras are used to capture omni-directional area, then overall resolution increases, but processing bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing at the camera level by capturing images at lower resolutions or with reduced frame rates, and only processes higher-resolution data for regions of interest. This preliminary action reduces the overall processing bandwidth requirement while maintaining high resolution where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different processing qualities to different regions of the captured scene. High-resolution processing is applied only to regions of interest or areas requiring detailed analysis, while other areas use lower resolution processing, thereby reducing total bandwidth requirements while maintaining high resolution where necessary.
3Area of moving object
If a camera is rotated using a servo-mechanism to image a spherical area, then omni-directional coverage is achieved, but frame-rate is limited by rotational speed and inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical servo-rotation system with a static multi-camera arrangement. Instead of mechanically rotating a single camera to achieve omni-directional coverage, the system uses multiple fixed cameras positioned to collectively capture the entire spherical area, thereby eliminating rotational speed and inertia limitations and enabling high frame rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the omni-directional imaging task across multiple stationary cameras, each responsible for a specific portion of the spherical field of view. This segmentation eliminates the need for mechanical rotation, allowing each camera to operate at its maximum frame rate and achieving high overall productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are placed adjacent to each other for stereo capture, then stereoscopic capability is achieved, but obscuration occurs when viewing laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges cameras in a nested or distributed configuration where each camera's field of view is positioned to complement rather than overlap significantly with others. This nesting strategy minimizes mutual obscuration while maintaining stereoscopic baseline separation, allowing lateral viewing without information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic imaging system incorporates a plurality of imaging devices or cameras to generate a high resolution, wide field of view image database from which images can be combined in real time to provide wide field of view or panoramic or omni-directional still or video images.