Electronic zoom image input method

Abstract

An electronic zoom image input method that enables zooming without declining the resolution by receiving an input image transmitted through a fixed focal distance optical system having a function of compressing the circumferential part of the input image by means of a photo detector with a uniform pixel density and subjecting the received image to image correction and conversion to obtain an output image. Three dimensional image input system is realized by preparing each image input system of both left and right view with this electronic zoom image input method.

1. An electronic zoom image input method that enables zooming without degrading the resolution, by imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a fixed focus input image compressing optical system configured to form a compressed zoom input image having a function of compressing, the compression of the input image more largely as it moves being a function of distance to the a circumferential part, thereof such that the compression of the input image increases as the distance to the circumferential part decreases; 
 an image sensor configured to receive the compressed zoom input image with reduced input image plane area providing preferably uniform pixel density, and a conversion unit for the processing of the zoom image converting and correcting of to provide data representing the compressed zoom input image to reproduce zoom output images; and 
 a conversion unit connected to said image sensor for converting and correcting the data representing the compressed input image to produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge. 
 
     
     
       2. An electronic zoom image input method that enables zooming without degrading the resolution, by imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a fixed focus input image compressing optical system configured to form a compressed zoom imput image, the compression of the input image having being a function of compressing the distance to a circumferential part, thereof such that the compression of the input image in increases according to a logarithmic function, as the distance to the circumferential part decreases;  
 an image sensor configured to receive the compressed zoom input image with reduced and to provide data representing the compressed input image plane area,; and a conversion unit for the processing of the zoom connected to said image sensor for converting and correcting of the data representing the compressed zoominput image to reproduce zoom output images. produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge. 
 
     
     
       3. An electronic zoom image input method imaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , that has a fixed focus input image compressing optical system where wherein the compression of the circumferential part of the input image is limited to the being a function of distance along a vertical and axis and a function of distance along a horizontal direction axis. 
     
     
       4. An electronic zoom image input method imaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , that has an image sensor with a rectangular input image plane, and a fixed focus input image compressing optical system with wherein the compression of the input image is a function of compressing the circumferential part of the input image to distance in all directions, and said fixed focus input image compressing optical system is configured to further compressing further the neighboring circumferential part of the input image in regions neighboring a vertical axis and a horizontal axes axis so that the circumferential part of the input image is substantially rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
       5. An electronic zoom image input method imaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , or claim  2 , or claim  3 , or claim  4 , where a wherein said fixed focus input image compressing optical system that compresses the circumferential part of the input image is comprised as comprises:
 a first optical system configured for a non-zoom imaging apparatus; and  
 an attachment optical system mounted onto said first optical system. 
 
     
     
       6. An electronic zoom image input method imaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , or claim  2 , or claim  3 , or claim  4 , that has a different zooming range, by mounting further comprising: a fixed focus attachment conversion lens mounted onto the said fixed focus input image compressing optical system to change its total combined focal length thereby changing a zooming range of said electronic zoom imaging apparatus. 
     
     
       7. A 3D electronic zoom image input method whose imaging apparatus comprising: a right image input optical system and a left image input optical systems are organized by fixed focus input image compressing optical systems of the wherein each of said right image input optical system and said left image input optical system includes an associated electronic zoom image input method imaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , or claim  2 , or claim  3 , or claim  4 . 
     
     
       8. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image sensor has a substantially uniform pixel density. 
     
     
       9. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixed focus input image compressing optical system includes a fixed position optical element. 
     
     
       10. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of distance such that the compression of the input image increases from a center part of the input image to the circumferential part with a continuous gradation. 
     
     
       11. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of distance such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance to the circumferential part decreases along a particular direction. 
     
     
       12. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of distance such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance to the circumferential part decreases along a first direction and as the distance to the circumferential part decreases along a second direction. 
     
     
       13. An electronic zoom imaging method, comprising:
 forming a compressed input image using a fixed focus input image compressing optical system, the compression of the input image being a function of distance to a circumferential part thereof such that the compression of the input image increases as the distance to the circumferential part decreases,   receiving the compressed input image and providing data representing the compressed input image using an image sensor, and   converting and correcting the data representing the compressed input image to produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge.   
     
     
       14. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the compression of the input image is limited to being a function of distance along a vertical axis and a function of distance along a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       15. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of distance in all directions, and said fixed focus input image compressing optical system is configured to further compress the circumferential part of the input image in regions neighboring a vertical axis and a horizontal axis so that the circumferential part of the input image is substantially rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
       16. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the input image compressing optical system includes: a first optical system that is configured for non-zoom imaging, and an attachment optical system that is mounted onto the first optical system. 
     
     
       17. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: changing a focal length by mounting a fixed focus attachment conversion lens onto the fixed focus input image compressing optical system, thereby changing a zooming range provided by said electronic zoom imaging method. 
     
     
       18. A 3D electronic zoom imaging method comprising: providing a right zoom output image, and providing a left zoom output image, wherein each of said providing steps is carried out using said electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13. 
     
     
       19. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein receiving the compressed input image uses an image sensor having a substantially uniform pixel density. 
     
     
       20. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein forming the compressed input image uses a fixed focus input image compressing optical system that includes a fixed position optical element. 
     
     
       21. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of distance such that the compression of the input image increases from a center part of the input image to the circumferential part with a continuous gradation. 
     
     
       22. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of distance such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance to the circumferential part decreases along a particular direction. 
     
     
       23. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of distance such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance to the circumferential part decreases along a first direction and as the distance to the circumferential part decreases along a second direction. 
     
     
       24. An electronic zoom imaging method, comprising:
 forming a compressed input image using a fixed focus input image compressing optical system, the compression of the input image being a function of distance to a circumferential part thereof such that the compression of the input image increases according to a logarithmic function as the distance to the circumferential part decreases;   receiving the compressed input image and providing data representing the compressed input image using an image sensor; and   converting and correcting the data representing the compressed input image to produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge.   
     
     
       25. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus, comprising:
 an input image compressing optical system configured to form a compressed input image, the compression of the input image being a function of distance from a central part thereof such that the compression of the input image increases as the distance from the central part increases;   an image sensor configured to receive the compressed input image and to provide data representing the compressed input image; and   a conversion unit connected to said image sensor for converting and correcting the data representing the compressed input image to produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge.   
     
     
       26. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the compression of the input image is limited to being a function of the distance from the central part along a vertical axis and a function of the distance from the central part along a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       27. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part in all directions, and said input image compressing optical system is configured to further compress a circumferential part of the input image in regions neighboring a vertical axis and a horizontal axis so that the circumferential part of the input image is substantially rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
       28. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said input image compressing optical system is comprised of: a first optical system that is configured for a non-zoom imaging apparatus, and an attachment optical system that is mounted onto said first optical system. 
     
     
       29. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: an attachment conversion lens that is mounted onto said input image compressing optical system to change its combined focal length thereby changing a zooming range of said electronic zoom imaging apparatus. 
     
     
       30. A 3D electronic zoom imaging apparatus comprising: a right image input optical system and a left image input optical system wherein each of said right image input optical system and said left image input optical system includes an associated electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25. 
     
     
       31. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said image sensor has a substantially uniform pixel density. 
     
     
       32. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said input image compressing optical system is a fixed focus input image compressing optical system. 
     
     
       33. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part such that the compression of the input image increases from the central part to a circumferential part of the input image with a continuous gradation. 
     
     
       34. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance from the central part increases along a particular direction. 
     
     
       35. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance from the central part increases along a first direction and as the distance from the central part increases along a second direction. 
     
     
       36. An electronic zoom imaging apparatus, comprising:
 an input image compressing optical system configured to form a compressed input image, the compression of the input image being a function of distance from a central part thereof such that the compression of the input image increases according to a logarithmic function as the distance from the central part increases;   an image sensor configured to receive the compressed input image and to provide data representing the compressed input image; and   a conversion unit connected to said image sensor for converting and correcting the data representing the compressed input image to produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge.   
     
     
       37. An electronic zoom imaging method, comprising:
 forming a compressed input image using an input image compressing optical system, the compression of the input image being a function of distance from a central part thereof such that the compression of the input image increases as the distance from the central part increases;   receiving the compressed input image and providing data representing the compressed input image using an image sensor; and   converting and correcting the data representing the compressed input image to produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge.   
     
     
       38. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the compression of the input image is limited to being a function of the distance from the central part along a vertical axis and a function of the distance from the central part along a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       39. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part in all directions, and said input image compressing optical system is configured to further compress a circumferential part of the input image in regions neighboring a vertical axis and a horizontal axis so that the circumferential part of the input image is substantially rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
       40. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the input image compressing optical system includes: a first optical system that is configured for non-zoom imaging, and an attachment optical system that is mounted onto the first optical system. 
     
     
       41. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, further comprising: changing a focal length by mounting an attachment conversion lens onto the input image compressing optical system, thereby changing a zooming range provided by said electronic zoom imaging method. 
     
     
       42. A 3D electronic zoom imaging method comprising: providing a right zoom output image, and providing a left zoom output image, wherein each of said providing steps is carried out using said electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37. 
     
     
       43. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein said step of receiving the compressed input image uses an image sensor having a substantially uniform pixel density. 
     
     
       44. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein said step of forming the compressed input image uses a fixed focus input image compressing optical system. 
     
     
       45. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part such that the compression of the input image increases from the central part to a circumferential part of the input image with a continuous gradation. 
     
     
       46. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance from the central part increases along a particular direction. 
     
     
       47. An electronic zoom imaging method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the compression of the input image is a function of the distance from the central part such that the compression of the input image increases non-linearly as the distance from the central part increases along a first direction and as the distance from the central part increases along a second direction. 
     
     
       48. An electronic zoom imaging method, comprising:
 forming a compressed input image using an input image compressing optical system, the compression of the input image being a function of distance from a central part thereof such that the compression of the input image increases according to a logarithmic function as the distance from the central part increases;   receiving the compressed input image and providing data representing the compressed input image using an image sensor; and   converting and correcting the data representing the compressed input image to produce output data representing a standard angle image and wide angle image, a length of the wide angle image being at least twice a length of the standard angle image, wherein a resolution of the wide angle image is higher in a central portion than a resolution of the standard angle image and the same at an outer edge.