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Augmented Resolution Using Distortion Control
Panomorph optics: Specially designed to improve panoramic viewing
For all applications requiring panoramic viewing, ImmerVision offers a selection of lenses that are adaptable to most types of cameras.
For more
specific needs with additional constraints:
- Dimension (miniaturization)
- Quality (10M pixel sensors or more)
- Resistance (mechanical, thermal, chemical)
- Ambient environments (aerial, aquatic,
space)
The optronic division designs custom panomorph lenses and provides follow-up every step of the way through to production.
Panomorph lens simulators Thanks to ImmerVision's specialized simulation software, you can see the impact of your design choices and assess how they affect your zones of interest.
Design Examples
Panomorphs
with simple anamorphosis
In order to obtain the maximum amount of information from a rectangular sensor, the anamorphic lens displays up to 30% more pixels
than a fisheye lens while maintaining a constant angular resolution of
180° and more.
ImmerVision +30% (left) - fisheye
(right)
This is well suited for immersive 360°
photography.
Panomorphs with axis augmentation
ImmerVision horizon x3 (left) - fisheye
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New Generation of Wide-Angle
Optics
Since Nicéphore Niépce invented photography in the 19th century, optical engineering has sought to eliminate the distortions that are intrinsic to wide-angle lenses.
Today, digital imaging technology complements the
optical distortion correction processes, thanks to common image editing
software (example: Adobe PhotoShop™)
or more specialized solutions to correct the extreme perspective
distortions of fisheye lenses (example: iPIX™).
In the last few years, progress in algorithms, the exponential growth of processor power (Moore's Law) and the increasing number of pixels in sensors have allowed the exploration of two new directions in technology:
► Reducing the constraints on the design of short focal length lenses,
thanks to the digital corrections embedded in camera electronics. This process of projection and interpolation induces a loss of
information and quality that increases along with the angle of aperture of the field of view (FOV).
► The opposite approach,
pioneered and patented by ImmerVision, consists of generating and
controlling targeted and significant optical distortions to increase
the number of pixels in the target zones of interest (augmented angular
and variable resolution).
This last design strategy is very innovative and particularly well-suited to panoramic imaging. Of course, it is important to be able to capture the whole of a scene, but often, it is necessary to pay more attention to the elements of a scene which are the farthest away. For example, in the case of video surveillance, information on the perimeter of a scene is more pertinent than information at the nadir. Thanks to our exclusive controlled distortion optics, ImmerVision can offer 2–4 times more angular resolution in the peripheral zone of interest, representing an increased area coverage that is 4-16 times greater than with conventional fisheye solutions.
Jean-Claude Artonne
ImmerVision Founder
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Adding a barrel effect makes it possible to increase the resolution 2-4 times around the horizontal axis.
It is possible to detect a presence from 2-4 times farther, providing an area coverage that is 4-16 times greater
than with standard solutions. (Notice the size of the people in the above example.)
An additional advantage of this solution is that it allows you to decrease the size of the sensors,
thereby allowing you to increase the number of cameras without using up all the available bandwidth.
A fisheye system for example requires a sensor with a minimum resolution of 2M pixels to allow face recognition
(30x30 pixels) at a distance of only 2.5 meters, whereas a standard 310K pixel camera can get the same result
when ImmerVision lenses are used.
This solution requires 6-8 times
less bandwidth and uses standard video equipment, resulting in
substantial
economies of scale.
This type of design is well suited for outdoor
surveillance in wide open spaces (360x360 double camera systems) and
for landscape panoramic photography.
Panomorphs with central augmentation
ImmerVision center 6x (left) - fish-eye
(right)
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Panomorphs with central augmentation give
you the best performance with up
to 6 times more
resolution.
It offers good quality video-conferencing for mobile phones (optical magnification) and allows you to take photos in traditional or panoramic formats.
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Interested in panomorph lenses?
Contact us / Ask for a quote
More on ImmerVision's Panoramic Expertise:
Digital Panoramic Technologies
General Optical Expertise
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