Adjustable Focus Camera System for Multi-User Telepresence Depth-of-Field Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D telepresence technologies face challenges in generating high-quality, realistic images for multiple users due to depth-of-field issues in fixed-focus cameras and limitations of autofocus cameras, which result in low-quality images and inability to serve multiple users gazing at different optical depths.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a pair of cameras with adjustable optical focus and extended depth-of-field (EDOF) corrections, where a server receives optical depth information from users and adjusts camera focus to capture and correct images for each user, allowing multiple users to view high-quality, immersive images simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed-focus cameras are used for image capturing, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to depth-of-field issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs autofocus cameras with adjustable optical focus instead of fixed-focus cameras, allowing the focusing distance range to be dynamically changed according to different optical depths. This enables the system to capture sharp images at various depths by adjusting the focal plane, thereby improving image quality while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If autofocus cameras are used to capture sharp images, then image quality improves, but the ability to serve multiple users gazing at different optical depths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple depth regions and captures images at different optical depths separately. By segmenting the depth space and capturing multiple images at different focal planes, the system can then process and combine these images to provide sharp views for multiple users gazing at different optical depths simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical focus parameter of the camera to capture images at different optical depths. By adjusting the focal length and focusing distance according to the desired optical depth, the system captures multiple images with different depth of field characteristics, which are then processed to serve multiple users with different gaze directions.
3Measurement precision
If focal length is increased to provide greater resolution, then image resolution improves, but depth of field decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures multiple images at different optical depths before processing. By preliminarily capturing images at various focal planes with appropriate depth of field, the system ensures that sufficient information is available for subsequent processing to achieve both high resolution and adequate depth of field in the final composite image.
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
The solution enables the generation of high-quality, immersive images for multiple users by adjusting camera focus and applying EDOF corrections, overcoming previous limitations and providing realistic images for users at different optical depths.
Implementation Method 1
each of the left camera and the right camera having an adjustable optical focus
Implementation Method 2
Images of a real-world environment are sharply captured by a given fixed-focus camera only for a specific focal plane
Data Source
AI summary
A system including server(s) configured to: receive, from N client devices, information indicating optical depths at which N users are gazing; send, to imaging device including left camera and right camera, information indicating N optical depths; and in each cycle of N consecutive pairs of left images and right images, for M ranging from 1 to N: receive Mth left image captured by focusing left camera at Mth optical depth; select such image for user(s) gazing within focusing range; generate extended depth-of-field (EDOF)-corrected Mth left images; receive Mth right image captured by focusing right camera according to another optical depth; select such image for other user(s) gazing within another focusing range; generate EDOF-corrected Mth right images; and send Mth left image, EDOF-corrected Mth left images, Mth right image, EDOF-corrected Mth right images to client device(s) of user(s), users other than user(s), other user(s), users other than other user(s), respectively.