3D Imaging Device Light Transmitting Section Multi-Viewpoint Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D image capturing technologies using a single camera to generate multi-viewpoint images face challenges in efficiently utilizing incoming light, often requiring mechanical mechanisms or polarizers/color filters that reduce light quantity and increase system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A 3D image capture device with a light transmitting section having first and second light transmitting areas, an image sensor with unit blocks of first and second type pixels, and an image processing section that generates multi-viewpoint images based on photoelectrically converted signals, where the spectral transmittances of these components are designed to maximize light usage across red, green, and blue wavelength ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polarizers and color filters are used to capture multi-viewpoint images with a single camera, then multi-viewpoint imaging capability is achieved, but light transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel regions, with each region capturing light from a specific viewpoint direction. This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of multiple viewpoints without using polarizers or color filters, thereby maintaining high light transmission efficiency while achieving multi-viewpoint imaging capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical driving mechanisms are used to rotate polarization filters, then multi-viewpoint images can be captured sequentially, but system complexity and mechanical reliability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation of polarization filters with a static optical system consisting of a light separating section and multiple image sensors positioned at different locations. This substitution eliminates mechanical driving mechanisms entirely, reducing system complexity and improving reliability while maintaining the ability to capture multi-viewpoint images simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple polarizers are arranged in the optical path, then light beams from different directions can be separated, but the quantity of light received by the image sensor decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the polarization filtering function from the optical path by using a light separating section that directs light beams from different directions to different image sensors based on their arrival directions. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple polarizers in the optical path, allowing all light beams to reach the sensors without being blocked or filtered, thereby maintaining high light quantity while achieving directional separation.
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 approach allows for the efficient use of incoming light to generate multi-viewpoint images without mechanical driving, improving light transmission efficiency and reducing system complexity compared to prior methods.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor which is arranged to receive light that has been transmitted through the light transmitting section
Data Source
AI summary
This 3D image capture device includes: a light transmitting section 1 with first and second light transmitting areas 1L and 1R; an image sensor 2a with a plurality of unit blocks; an imaging section 3; and an image processing section which generates multi-viewpoint images based on photoelectrically converted signals supplied from the image sensor 2a. If functions representing the respective spectral transmittances of the first light transmitting area 1L, the second light transmitting area 1R, a first type of pixel, and a second type of pixel with respect to the wavelength λ of visible radiation are identified by TL(λ), TR(λ), T1(λ), and T2(λ), respectively, TL(λ)≠TR(λ) and T1(λ)≠T2(λ) are satisfied, and each of TL(λ), TR(λ), T1(λ) and T2(λ) has at least one local maximum value and at least one local minimum value within each of red, green and blue wavelength ranges.