Color Aperture Filter for Single Camera Depth Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining depth information with a single camera are cumbersome, as they require customizing or modifying camera lenses to arrange filters with different transmission characteristics, leading to difficulties in accurately capturing depth information across the entire image due to color shifts and measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a filter having multiple areas with distinct transmission characteristics for different color components, allowing depth information to be calculated based on the bias of color information in captured images, and notifying users of the effective area for reliable depth measurement, which can be adjusted without modifying the camera lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filter with different transmission characteristics of color components is arranged in a lens aperture, then depth information can be obtained at any portion of the image, but it requires customizing or modifying the camera lens which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple areas (first area and second area) with different transmission characteristics. Each area transmits different color components, creating color separation that enables depth information extraction without requiring lens modification
Solution Approach 2:
A color aperture filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens and image sensor. This filter mediates the light path to create color-based depth encoding, allowing depth measurement without modifying the lens itself
2Device complexity
If a filter is arranged outside the front end of the lens, then the device complexity is reduced, but color shifts occur and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different areas of the filter have different transmission characteristics tailored to specific color components. The first area transmits certain color components while the second area transmits others, creating localized optical properties that enable accurate depth measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The filter utilizes color separation by transmitting different color components through different areas. This color-based encoding allows depth information to be extracted from color differences in the captured image
3Measurement precision
If stereo camera is used to acquire captured image and depth information simultaneously, then depth information can be obtained, but the device size increases and the interval between cameras must be lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera system is made multi-functional by incorporating a color aperture filter that enables both image capture and depth measurement with one device, eliminating the need for separate stereo cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of light by using a filter with different transmission characteristics for different color components. This parameter-based differentiation enables depth encoding without requiring multiple cameras
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
Enables accurate and reliable depth information acquisition without customizing the camera lens, by identifying and notifying the user of the effective area for measurement, ensuring high reliability and ease of use with a single camera.
Implementation Method 1
a filter having a first area transmitting light of a first wavelength range and a second area transmitting light of a second wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes one or more processors. The one or more processors obtain an image captured by a camera with a filter having a first area transmitting light of a first wavelength range and a second area transmitting light of a second wavelength range. The image includes a first color-component image based on the light of the first wavelength range and a second color-component image based on the light of the second wavelength range. The one or more processors notify a user of an effective area for calculation of depth information based on a bias of color information in the first color-component image and the second color-component image.