Binocular Stereoscopic Image Selection via Optical Baseline Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing devices struggle to consistently achieve a suitable stereoscopic effect due to errors in baseline length during image capture and differences in horizontal lines and focus state between captured images.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising at least one processor and memory, configured to obtain a group of captured images from multiple capturing systems spaced apart, determine a baseline length for binocular stereopsis, and select and output a pair of captured images based on this baseline length to ensure a suitable stereoscopic effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image capturing device is manually slid to adjust baseline length, then the stereoscopic effect can be adjusted, but errors in baseline length occur and manual operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical sliding operation with an optical solution using a beam splitter and multiple image capturing devices. The baseline length is determined optically by capturing images of a baseline length indicator from multiple angles, eliminating manual measurement errors and achieving precise baseline length control through optical means rather than mechanical adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary component that enables simultaneous image capture from multiple viewing angles. This intermediary allows the system to obtain multiple perspectives of the baseline length indicator without requiring physical movement of the capturing device, thereby achieving accurate baseline length determination through optical redirection rather than mechanical displacement.
2Productivity
If image capturing is performed at different timings for each eye, then the capturing process can be completed, but differences in horizontal lines and focus state occur between captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple image capturing operations into a single simultaneous capture event by using a beam splitter to direct light from the same scene to multiple image capturing devices at the same time. This ensures that all captured images represent the exact same moment in time, eliminating temporal differences that would cause horizontal line misalignment and focus state variations between images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary alignment of multiple image capturing devices to capture images of the baseline length indicator from different viewing angles simultaneously. By pre-positioning the devices and using the beam splitter to capture all views at once, the system ensures temporal synchronization before the actual stereoscopic image capture, preventing horizontal line and focus inconsistencies.
3Measurement precision
If multiple capturing systems are used to achieve accurate baseline length, then stereoscopic effect quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds an optical dimension to baseline length measurement by introducing a beam splitter that creates multiple viewing angles from a single physical location. Instead of physically moving the capturing device along the baseline (spatial dimension), the system uses optical redirection to achieve multiple perspectives simultaneously, thereby determining baseline length through angular differentiation rather than physical displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies of the image capturing process by using a beam splitter to direct light to multiple capturing devices. These optical copies capture the same scene from different angular perspectives simultaneously, enabling accurate baseline length determination without requiring multiple physical devices to be manually positioned, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
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 output of a pair of captured images that consistently exhibit a suitable stereoscopic effect by accurately determining and adjusting the baseline length based on the subject distance, thereby improving the perceived depth in images.
Implementation Method 1
A stereoscopic effect is perceived by a difference in appearance (parallax) between these captured images
Data Source
AI summary
A device is operable to output, regarding a subject, a pair of captured images pertaining to binocular stereopsis. The device obtains, regarding a plurality of capturing systems arranged to be a predetermined distance apart, a group of captured images in which the subject is captured, wherein the device obtains, regarding at least one capturing system among the plurality of capturing systems, a plurality of captured images pertaining to luminous fluxes that have each passed a different pupil region, determines, regarding the pair of captured images, a baseline length to be set, and selects, from among the group of obtained captured images, the pair of captured images based on the determined baseline length to be set and output the pair of captured images.