Multi-Functional Camera Beam Splitter for Depth Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a light source in mobile computing systems for time-of-flight imaging poses design challenges such as cost, packaging, and power consumption, particularly in enhancing imaging capabilities for depth capturing functions like facial and hand gesture recognition.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional camera design that uses a beam splitter to direct different optical paths for visible and infrared light, allowing for separate detection and processing of visible and infrared light, enabling traditional image capture and time-of-flight depth profiling with smart illumination capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light source is integrated into mobile computing systems for time-of-flight imaging, then depth capturing capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is designed to perform multiple functions using a single integrated structure. The same camera body, lens, and beam splitter serve both traditional visible light imaging and time-of-flight depth capturing functions. The visible light detector and infrared light detector operate within the same optical path system, allowing the device to switch between 2D imaging mode and 3D depth profiling mode without requiring separate dedicated hardware systems, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining depth capturing capability.
2Measurement precision
If a light source is integrated into mobile computing systems for time-of-flight imaging, then depth capturing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the traditional camera system and time-of-flight depth sensing system into a single integrated camera structure. The beam splitter is strategically positioned to divide the optical path, directing visible light to the visible light detector and infrared light to the infrared light detector within the same camera body. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate dedicated depth sensing hardware, reducing packaging complexity while enabling both 2D and 3D imaging capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If a light source is integrated into mobile computing systems for time-of-flight imaging, then depth capturing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated camera system allows a single device to perform both traditional photography and time-of-flight depth sensing functions. By sharing common components such as the lens, beam splitter, and housing structure between the visible light imaging path and infrared depth sensing path, the design reduces the total component count and assembly complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems. This multi-functional approach lowers manufacturing costs while achieving depth capturing capability.
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 design effectively addresses the challenges by enabling efficient and cost-effective integration of depth capturing and traditional imaging in a single camera system, reducing power consumption and improving imaging capabilities while supporting multiple modes of operation, including 2D, 3D, and 2D/3D modes.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter to impose different optical paths for visible light and infra red light received by the camera
Implementation Method 2
The camera also includes an infra red light detector to detect the infra red light and a visible light detector to detect the visible light
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a camera comprising a beam splitter to impose different optical paths for visible light and infra red light received by the camera. The camera also includes an infra red light detector to detect the infra red light and a visible light detector to detect the visible light, wherein, the different optical paths include an optical path having more than one internal reflection within the beam splitter.