Chiral Optical Rangefinder Defocus Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical rangefinders require triangulation, angular measurements, or phase detection methods, which limit precision and often need additional images or object structure information for distance calculation, whereas the described solution employs a chiral optical arrangement to measure defocus directly from the spatial spectrum without these constraints.
Innovation Solution
The optical rangefinder uses a chiral optical mask with a phase and amplitude function to modulate light, creating a characteristic pattern in the spatial spectrum that allows direct measurement of defocus, enabling distance calculation from a single image without prior knowledge of the object's structure or angular measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triangulation or angular measurement methods are used for rangefinding, then distance measurement is possible, but measurement precision is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical angular measurement systems with a chiral optical arrangement that directly modulates light phase. Instead of measuring angles mechanically and calculating distance, the system uses chiral optical elements to create defocus-dependent spatial spectrum displacements, enabling direct optical measurement of distance with higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical system parameters by introducing chiral optical elements with specific phase and amplitude functions. These elements modify the light propagation characteristics to create characteristic patterns in the spatial spectrum that directly correlate with defocus and distance, enabling more precise measurements without complex mechanical systems.
2Loss of information
If phase detection methods are used, then distance information can be obtained, but additional images or object structure information are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for rangefinding by using chiral optical elements that create defocus-dependent spatial spectrum displacements. Instead of requiring multiple images or extensive object structure data, the system extracts distance information directly from the displacement of characteristic patterns in a single image's spatial spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The chiral optical arrangement makes the system self-sufficient by automatically encoding distance information into the spatial spectrum through the optical modulation process. The characteristic patterns self-organize in the frequency domain, allowing direct measurement of defocus and distance without external reference images or additional object information.
3Measurement precision
If conventional optical arrangements are used, then imaging is possible, but direct defocus measurement from spatial spectrum is not achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite optical arrangement combining chiral optical elements with specific phase and amplitude functions. This composite structure integrates multiple optical properties into a single arrangement that simultaneously performs imaging and encodes defocus information into characteristic spatial spectrum patterns, enabling direct and precise defocus measurement.
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 enhances precision and efficiency by directly deriving defocus from spectral displacements, allowing for accurate distance measurement and in-focus image reconstruction without the need for additional images or object structure information, and can be adapted for various wavelengths and applications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical arrangement, located in the optical path of the imaging optics, to modulate the light beam such that defocus of the image
Implementation Method 2
spectral decomposition means adapted to provide the spatial spectrum of said image by spectral decomposition
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical rangefinder having a photosensor adapted to transform the image projected thereon into an electronic image, an imaging system for projecting an image of an object on the photosensor, an optical arrangement to modulate the incoming light forming the image on the photosensor, means for providing the spatial spectrum of the image and means for deriving the distance from the object to the rangefinder on the degree of defocus of the image, wherein the optical arrangement is adapted to modulate the incoming light such that the degree of defocus of the image on the photosensor relative to the in-focus image plane results in displacement of the spatial spectrum of the image relative to a reference pattern and wherein the rangefinder has means for deriving the degree of defocus from the degree of displacement.