Wide-Range Image Generation via Sequential Capture and Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital cameras and mobile phones with imaging functions face limitations in viewing angle, requiring conversion lenses or lens switching for wide-range imaging, which complicates operability and increases costs, while still failing to easily acquire desired wide-range images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device with an imaging section, display section, imaging control section, wide-range image generating section, detecting section, and display control section that allows for consecutive image capture and automatic generation of wide-range images without lens replacement, using a combination of image composition techniques like α-blending to create a single wide-angle image from multiple overlapping images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conversion lens or lens switching is used to achieve wide-range imaging, then the viewing angle is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple sequential captures instead of using a complex lens system. The imaging section captures a series of images by moving in predetermined directions, and the wide-range image generating section composes these segmented images into a final wide-range image, replacing the need for complex optical segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical lens switching system with a computational image processing system. Instead of physically changing lenses or attachments to achieve wide-angle imaging, the system uses software-based composition of multiple standard-angle images captured through a single lens.
2Area of moving object
If conversion lens or lens switching is used for wide-range imaging, then the viewing angle is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic wide-range image generation without requiring user intervention for lens switching or attachment changes. The imaging control section automatically controls the imaging section to capture images in the predetermined directions, and the wide-range image generating section automatically composes the images, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-determines the capture directions and composition parameters before actual imaging. The imaging control section is configured with predetermined directions for image capture, and the wide-range image generating section is pre-programmed with composition algorithms, allowing the system to automatically execute wide-range imaging without requiring user setup or adjustment during operation.
3Area of moving object
If conversion lens or lens switching is used to achieve wide-range imaging, then the viewing angle is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous imaging action by capturing multiple images in sequence without interrupting the imaging workflow for lens changes. The imaging section continuously captures images in predetermined directions, and the wide-range image generating section continuously processes and composes these images, eliminating downtime associated with lens replacement operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital camera according to the present invention includes a CCD, an image display section, and a CPU. The CPU controls the CCD to perform consecutive image-capturing, and generates a wide-range image based on a plurality of images consecutively captured by the CCD. In addition, the CPU detects a predetermined trigger indicating the completion of consecutive image-capturing in a predetermined direction by the CCD. Furthermore, the CPU displays on the image display section information indicating a range to be consecutively captured by the CCD to generate a panoramic image, while changing the information every time the predetermined trigger is detected.