3D Imaging Device Rotating Filter Array for Light Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D image capturing technologies using single-lens systems are inefficient in utilizing incoming light for generating multi-viewpoint images, leading to suboptimal image quality, especially when capturing subjects with chromatic colors or scenes lacking texture.
Innovation Solution
A 3D image capture device employing a light-transmitting section with N different filters, arranged to receive light in parallel, and an image sensor with a photosensitive cell array and filter array, where each unit element includes N photosensitive cells and N filters with mutually different wavelength dependences, allowing for sequential image capturing sessions with filter position changes to optimize light usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color filters are arranged at mutually different positions to produce images with parallax, then multi-viewpoint images can be obtained, but the light utilization efficiency decreases and image capturing sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple regions, each region corresponding to a specific filter position. By segmenting the sensor area to match the filter arrangement, the system captures light efficiently from each filter position without requiring complex optical paths, thereby improving light utilization while maintaining multi-viewpoint capability
Solution Approach 2:
The filters are arranged in a periodic pattern around the optical axis, allowing sequential capture of images from different viewpoints by rotating the filter assembly. This periodic arrangement enables the system to capture multiple viewpoint images through rotational movement, improving light efficiency by reusing the same optical path at different angular positions
2Measurement precision
If multiple color filters are used to capture multi-viewpoint images, then parallax information can be obtained, but image quality deteriorates when capturing subjects with chromatic colors
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the image sensor are assigned to capture information from different filter positions. By making the image quality characteristics location-dependent and optimizing each region for its specific filter input, the system maintains high image quality for chromatic subjects while preserving the parallax information needed for 3D reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular position parameter of the filters through rotation rather than using multiple fixed filters with different spectral properties. This parameter change approach allows the same filter to be used at different angular positions, eliminating color distortion issues while maintaining accurate parallax measurement through spatial positioning
3Device complexity
If a single camera is used instead of two cameras, then device size and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the ability to capture multi-viewpoint images with sufficient light efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is made rotatable around the optical axis, transforming a static single-camera system into a dynamic multi-viewpoint system. By rotating the filters to different angular positions, the single camera can capture images from multiple viewpoints sequentially, maintaining light efficiency by using the same optical path while achieving the functionality of multiple cameras
Solution Approach 2:
A single camera system is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating rotatable filters at different angular positions. The same image sensor and optical path are used to capture images from multiple viewpoints by changing the filter angle, making the single camera universal for both standard photography and multi-viewpoint 3D imaging without requiring separate camera systems
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 enables the generation of multi-viewpoint images using incoming light more efficiently, improving image capturing sensitivity and stability without relying on color linearity or planarity, thus overcoming the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmitting section (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) including N different kinds of first filters (N is an integer that is equal to or greater than two) which are arranged so that light rays are incident on those filters in parallel with each other and of which the transmittances have mutually different wavelength dependences
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor (1) arranged to receive the light that has been transmitted through the light-transmitting section (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) and including a photosensitive cell array and a filter array
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D image capture device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a light-transmitting section including N different kinds of first filters (where N is an integer equal to or greater than two) which are arranged so that light rays are incident on those filters in parallel with each other and that the transmittances have mutually different wavelength dependences; an image sensor including N second filters, of which the transmittances have mutually different wavelength dependences; and an image capturing driving section driving the light-transmitting section so that image capturing sessions are carried out M times sequentially (where M is an integer equal to or greater than N), and that each of the first filters changes its positions from one of N positions that have been set in advance with respect to the image sensor after each time the image capturing session is carried out.