Twisted Ridges Lens Cover for Dual Camera Image Interpolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image capturing apparatuses with lens covers having ridgelines suffer from light distortion near the ridgelines, leading to blurring in captured images, particularly in compact, wide-angle compound-eye camera systems used in moving objects like drones or vehicles, where space and weight constraints are significant.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing apparatus with a lens cover featuring transparent parts and twisted ridgelines, along with a processing circuit that identifies pixels affected by distortion and interpolates pixel values using information from adjacent pixels, reducing the impact of ridgeline distortion by generating accurate output images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a lens cover with ridgelines is used to cover multiple lenses, then the device size is reduced, but light distortion occurs near the ridgelines causing image blurring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies pixels affected by ridgeline distortion and uses interpolation techniques to reconstruct accurate pixel values from surrounding pixels, converting the harmful distortion effect into a manageable data processing task that restores image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing circuit acts as an intermediary between the distorted captured image and the final output image, using interpolation algorithms to mediate and correct the pixel values affected by ridgeline distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single lens cover is used for multiple lenses, then the device complexity is reduced, but light distortion and image blurring occur near the ridgelines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of lens coversVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple lenses are covered by a single integrated lens cover with twisted ridgelines, merging the function of multiple separate covers into one while maintaining image quality through the specific twisted geometry that reduces distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing circuit detects and interpolates distorted pixels, converting the harmful effect of using a single lens cover into a correctable data processing step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If ridgelines are formed between adjacent parts of the lens cover, then the lens cover structure is simplified, but light distortion occurs causing pixels to require interpolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens cover structureVSAvoidpixel accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the manufacturing simplicity of ridgeline structures into an acceptable design by pairing it with image processing that detects and corrects the resulting pixel distortions through interpolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing circuit serves as an intermediary that reconciles the simple ridgeline structure with the need for accurate pixel data by interpolating values for distorted pixels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively minimizes the influence of ridgeline distortion, enabling clear and accurate image capture in compact, wide-angle camera systems, even in challenging outdoor environments, while ensuring the lens cover is compact and safe for installation in moving objects.

Implementation Method 1

a lens cover that includes parts transparent to light and ridgelines and that covers the first camera and the second camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3557858B1Imaging device and imaging method

Publication Date: 2021.01.20 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

An image capturing apparatus (101) includes a first camera (102) that captures a first image, a second camera (103) that captures a second image, a lens cover (106) that includes transparent parts and ridgelines and that covers the first camera (102) and the second camera (103), the parts including an upper part and adjacent parts, each of the adjacent parts being adjacent to the upper part, the ridgelines being formed between surfaces of the respective adjacent parts and a surface of the upper part, and a processing circuit (111) that identifies a pixel located in an area, in which it is necessary to interpolate a pixel value, in the first image, and generates an output image using the first image and interpolation pixel information for interpolating a pixel value of the identified pixel, each of the ridgelines being at a location twisted with respect to a base line extending between a center of a first lens of the first camera (102) and a center of a second lens of the second camera (103), the upper part opposing a base on which the first camera (102) and the second camera (103) are disposed.