Camera Module Liquid Crystal Aperture Distance Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules using coded aperture technology face challenges in accurately calculating the distance to a subject, particularly when the subject is close, due to limitations in light transmission and image blur analysis.
Innovation Solution
The camera module incorporates a liquid crystal panel with an incident light control area featuring multiple light transmissive areas of varying sizes, allowing for adjustable light transmission based on the subject's distance. This configuration enables accurate distance calculation by utilizing images from different light transmissive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single aperture size is used in coded aperture technology, then the device structure is simple, but the accuracy of distance calculation for close-range subjects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is divided into multiple light transmissive areas with different sizes (first, second, third, and fourth areas) instead of using a single aperture. This segmentation allows the system to capture light from different angular ranges, improving distance measurement accuracy for subjects at various distances while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aperture have different transmission characteristics - the first and second light transmissive areas have one size configuration while the third and fourth areas have a smaller size configuration. This local differentiation in aperture quality enables optimized light transmission for specific distance ranges, particularly improving close-range subject measurement.
2Measurement precision
If light transmissive areas with smaller sizes are used, then the accuracy of distance calculation for close-range subjects is improved, but the amount of light transmitted to the imaging device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is divided into multiple light transmissive areas with different size configurations. The first and second areas have larger sizes to capture more light, while the third and fourth areas have smaller sizes for precise close-range measurement. This segmentation allows the system to optimize light transmission for different measurement scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal panel dynamically changes the transmission state of different light transmissive areas based on the subject distance. When measuring close-range subjects, the system activates the smaller third and fourth areas; for distant subjects, it uses the larger first and second areas. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both light transmission and measurement accuracy.
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 solution improves the accuracy of distance calculation to subjects at various distances, reducing errors associated with close-range subjects by optimizing light transmission through the liquid crystal panel's light transmissive areas.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal panel including an incident light control area including first to fourth light transmissive areas provided at positions where light is made incident on the imaging device, a liquid crystal layer provided at a position overlapping with the incident light control area, and a driver driving the liquid crystal layer to transmit light through each of the first to fourth light transmissive areas
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a camera module includes an imaging device, a liquid crystal panel and a lens. The liquid crystal panel includes first to fourth areas, a liquid crystal layer, and a driver. A size of the third and fourth areas is smaller than a size of the first and second areas. A first distance to a subject is calculated based on first and second images. The first image is based on light transmitted through the first area. The second image is based on light transmitted through the second area. A second distance to the subject is calculated based on third and fourth images. The third image is based on light transmitted through the third area. The fourth image is based on light transmitted through the fourth area.