Beam Splitter IR Sensor Depth Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibrating cameras and sensors to synchronize data in video production is difficult, particularly when using infrared (IR) data from an IR sensor with visible light data from a visible light sensor, as the positions of the two sensors need to be accurately aligned.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a beam splitter to split reflected visible and IR light into two identical beams, allowing an IR sensor and a visible light sensor to receive the beams as if they were from the same location, with a processor calculating depth information using the time of flight of IR light and processing both images to generate a 2D image with accurate spatial perspective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate cameras and sensors are used to collect visible light and IR data, then data collection capability is improved, but calibration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
A beam splitter is introduced as an intermediary optical component that divides the reflected light path into two separate paths, allowing both the visible light camera and IR sensor to receive light from the same optical path. This mediator eliminates the need for complex calibration between separate sensors by providing them with identical input light, thereby resolving the calibration difficulty while maintaining the ability to collect both visible and IR data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the visible light and IR light paths into a single reflected light path that is then split by the beam splitter. By merging the light collection at the subject level and then separating it at the beam splitter, the system ensures both sensors observe the same spatial perspective, eliminating calibration requirements while maintaining versatile data collection
2Measurement precision
If sensor positions are adjusted to achieve accurate alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter acts as a mediator that makes the sensors appear to be at the same position by providing them with light from the same optical path. This eliminates the need for complex position adjustments and alignment operations, as the beam splitter automatically ensures that both sensors receive light from identical spatial perspectives, thereby achieving high measurement precision without increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter creates identical copies of the reflected light path for both the visible light camera and IR sensor. By copying the light path rather than physically aligning separate sensors, the system achieves accurate spatial alignment automatically, eliminating the need for complex adjustment operations
3Measurement precision
If a beam splitter is introduced to split light into two beams, then spatial alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter segments the single reflected light path into two separate beams that can be independently directed to different sensors. This segmentation allows the optical system to serve multiple sensing functions simultaneously while maintaining spatial alignment, as both segments originate from the same input path. The segmentation approach adds minimal complexity compared to the alternative of using multiple separate light paths that would require complex calibration
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 eliminates the need for sensor position calibration by ensuring identical spatial perspectives for both IR and visible light images, enabling precise synchronization and depth information calculation.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter to receive a beam of visible light and IR light reflected by the subject, the beam splitter to split the beam of visible light and IR light into two identical beams
Implementation Method 2
a time of flight of the IR light illuminated by the IR light source and received by the IR sensor is used to calculate a distance of the subject from the beam splitter
Data Source
AI summary
Obtaining depth information using an IR sensor with a beam splitter including illuminating a subject with IR light using an IR light source; receiving reflected light including visible light and the IR light at a beam splitter; splitting the reflected light into two identical beams, a first beam and a second beam, using the beam splitter; receiving and processing the first beam at an IR sensor to pass the IR light and to block the visible light, to generate an IR image; receiving and processing the second beam at a visible light sensor to pass the visible light and to block the IR light, to generate a visible light image; and using a time of flight of the IR light transmitted by the IR light source and received by the IR sensor to calculate a distance of the subject from the beam splitter.