Asymmetric 3D Camera Lens Resolution Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D cameras employing two lenses of the same grade are expensive due to the high cost of sophisticated lenses and sensing elements, limiting the affordability and accessibility of 3D video content.
Innovation Solution
A 3D video camera system utilizing two lenses of different specifications, where a higher-grade primary lens generates a high-quality left-eye image and a lower-grade secondary lens generates a comparison image, which is scaled and processed to create a right-eye image of the same quality, thereby achieving 3D depth information and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two lenses of the same high grade are used to ensure image quality, then the 3D video quality is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a high-grade lens for the left eye image capture where maximum quality is needed, and a lower-grade lens for the right eye where sufficient but not maximum quality is acceptable. This differential quality assignment resolves the contradiction by optimizing image quality where critical while reducing cost where acceptable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image processing to generate a synthetic right eye image based on the left eye image and depth information, rather than requiring a physical identical lens. The lower-grade lens captures reference data that is then processed to create the matching eye image, replacing the need for an expensive duplicate high-grade lens
2Measurement precision
If two high-resolution sensing elements are used to capture detailed images, then the 3D video resolution is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a high-resolution sensing element for the left eye and a lower-resolution sensing element for the right eye, applying different quality levels to different components based on their functional requirements. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high resolution where needed while reducing cost on the secondary side
Solution Approach 2:
The lower-resolution right eye image data is processed and enhanced using the high-resolution left eye image and depth information to generate a synthetic right eye image at high resolution, eliminating the need for a physically expensive high-resolution sensing element on both sides
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated lenses and sensing elements are used to achieve high image quality, then the 3D visual effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for identical sophisticated optical components with a hybrid approach: one high-grade lens/sensing element combination captures the primary image, while a lower-grade combination captures reference data that is then computationally processed to generate the second eye image. This reduces optical system complexity while maintaining 3D visual quality through image processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing circuits and depth information as intermediaries that bridge the gap between the lower-grade right eye capture system and the high-quality 3D output requirement. These intermediary processing stages transform the asymmetric input data into symmetric high-quality output images
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 generation of high-quality, cost-effective 3D video content by using lenses of different grades, enabling the creation of 3D images with clear 3D visual effects while reducing the overall cost of 3D camera systems.
Implementation Method 1
A left camera lens 120 comprises a left lens (L) 122 and a left sensing element 124; a right camera lens 130 comprises a right lens (R) 132 and a right sensing element 134. The left lens (L) 122 forms an image of an object 100 on the left sensing element 124 and outputs a left sensing signal; whereas, the right lens (R) 132 forms an image of the object 100 on the right sensing element 134 and outputs a right sensing signal.
Implementation Method 2
The sensing element may be a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D video camera is provided. The 3D video camera includes a first camera lens for providing a first sensing signal, a second camera lens for providing a second sensing signal, and an image processing unit for receiving the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal to generate a first eye image and a first comparison image to accordingly generate 3D depth information.