Camera Module Tilted Filter for High-Resolution Depth Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current time-of-flight (ToF) method for acquiring depth information has a low resolution, which limits its effectiveness in providing accurate distance information, especially when measuring close or moving subjects, and increasing sensor pixels to improve resolution leads to increased camera module volume and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design that incorporates a light emitting portion, a filter with a tilting mechanism driven by a tilting actuator, and a sensor array, where the tilting actuator includes magnets and coils to tilt the filter in a diagonal direction according to a predetermined sequence, allowing the optical path to change and enhance resolution through super resolution techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of sensor pixels is increased to increase resolution, then the resolution of depth information is improved, but the volume and manufacturing costs of the camera module significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to tilt to multiple positions (first, second, third, fourth positions) according to a predetermined rule. This dynamic configuration enables the same optical path to capture multiple sub-images at different angles, achieving super-resolution depth information without increasing sensor pixel count or module volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter tilts periodically among multiple positions in a predetermined sequence, capturing sub-images at each position. This periodic action allows the system to gather multiple views of the same scene over time, which are then synthesized to produce high-resolution depth information, avoiding the need for higher pixel density sensors.
2Measurement precision
If the number of sensor pixels is increased to increase resolution, then the resolution of depth information is improved, but the manufacturing costs of the camera module significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to tilt to multiple positions (first, second, third, fourth positions) according to a predetermined rule. This dynamic configuration enables the same optical path to capture multiple sub-images at different angles, achieving super-resolution depth information without increasing sensor pixel count or module volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter tilts periodically among multiple positions in a predetermined sequence, capturing sub-images at each position. This periodic action allows the system to gather multiple views of the same scene over time, which are then synthesized to produce high-resolution depth information, avoiding the need for higher pixel density sensors.
3Device complexity
If a fixed filter is used, then the structure is simple, but the resolution of depth information remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to tilt to multiple positions (first, second, third, fourth positions) according to a predetermined rule. This dynamic configuration enables the same optical path to capture multiple sub-images at different angles, achieving super-resolution depth information without increasing sensor pixel count or module volume.
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 increases the resolution of depth information acquisition while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reducing the complexity and size of the camera module, enabling accurate depth measurement even for close or moving subjects.
Implementation Method 1
A direction of a force generated due to an interaction between the first magnet and the first coil may be a direction opposite to a direction of a force generated due to an interaction between the second magnet and the second coil
Implementation Method 2
at least one lens disposed on the filter to condense the light reflected from the object
Implementation Method 3
a sensor including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array and configured to generate an electrical signal from the light condensed by the lens
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module according to the present embodiment comprises: a light-emitting unit for outputting light to an object; a filter allowing the light to pass therethrough; at least one sheet of lens disposed on the filter and condensing the light reflected from the object; a sensor including a plurality of pixels aligned in an array and generating an electrical signal from the light condensed by the lens; and a tilt unit for tilting the filter such that an optical path of the light having passed through the filter is repeatedly moved according to a predetermined rule, wherein the tilt unit includes: a tilting driver for generating an output signal synchronized with an exposure cycle of the sensor on the basis of a trigger signal input from the sensor; and a tilting actuator for tilting the filter diagonally by the output signal.