Wide Angle Lens Segmentation for Spherical Imaging Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wide angle lens systems face challenges in achieving a balanced axial and off-axial resolution, particularly in spherical imaging systems that use multiple lenses, where peripheral image overlap and varying image magnification per unit angle of view lead to suboptimal image quality and resolution across the entire field of view.
Innovation Solution
The optical system employs two wide angle lenses with a specific design, featuring a peripheral area with decreased image forming magnification per unit angle of view and an inside area with constant magnification, where the image forming magnification varies continuously from the optical axis to the peripheral area, allowing non-overlapping inside area images and overlapping peripheral area images to enhance overall resolution and image stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple wide angle lenses are used to form spherical images with peripheral overlap, then the field of view is expanded, but the resolution balance between axial and off-axial regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming area of each wide angle lens is segmented into a first area (central region with constant magnification) and a second area (peripheral region with continuously varying magnification). This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: the first area provides high-resolution non-overlapping images for axial regions, while the second area provides overlapping images for stitching to expand the field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the wide angle lens are assigned different image forming characteristics. The first area (central region) maintains constant image forming magnification per unit angle of view for high resolution, while the second area (peripheral region) has continuously varying magnification to enable proper overlap for stitching. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between field of view expansion and resolution balance.
2Area of stationary object
If peripheral area images are made to overlap for stitching, then the field of view is expanded, but the overall image quality deteriorates due to varying magnification
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming magnification per unit angle of view is changed as a function of position within the wide angle lens. In the second area (peripheral region), the magnification continuously varies from the boundary with the first area toward the peripheral edge. This controlled parameter change ensures that when multiple lenses are stitched together, the overlapping regions have compatible magnification characteristics, maintaining image quality while expanding the field of view.
3Measurement precision
If constant magnification is maintained across the entire lens, then axial resolution is improved, but off-axial resolution and field of view expansion capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lens image forming area is divided into two distinct zones: a first area with constant magnification for high axial resolution, and a second peripheral area with continuously varying magnification for field of view expansion through stitching. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high axial resolution and off-axial resolution by using different regions for different purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The wide angle lens is designed with multi-functionality: the first area serves axial imaging with high resolution, while the second area serves off-axial imaging and field of view expansion through overlapping stitching. This universal design allows a single lens to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require different optical configurations.
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
This configuration results in higher resolution across the entire image sensor surface, maintaining high image quality despite a decrease in peripheral area resolution, which is compensated by overlapping image portions, ensuring uniform quality over 360-degree space.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system including a plurality of wide angle lenses 10b, 10c to form subject images
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system including a plurality of wide angle lenses, each having a peripheral area with a decreased magnification per unit angle of view and an inside area ranging from an optical axis to an inside edge of the peripheral area. The inside area includes a first area ranging from the optical axis toward the peripheral area, the first area having a constant magnification per unit angle of view and a second area ranging from an outside edge of the first area to the inside edge of the peripheral area. The second area has a magnification per unit angle of view that continuously varies in a direction from the outside edge of the first area toward the peripheral area. An image portion formed by the peripheral area overlaps with another image portion formed by the peripheral area of another wide angle lens.