Detachable Optical Filter for Monocular Camera Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems face challenges in accurately determining object distance using a monocular camera due to difficulties in arranging and orienting a color filter at the aperture, which affects the calculation of blur shapes and ranging accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A detachable optical filter unit with a filter frame and attachment part is positioned outside the lens unit, allowing easy attachment and orientation adjustment, using filter areas that transmit different wavelength bands to encode distance information in image blurs, enabling accurate distance calculation through image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a color filter is disposed at the aperture of a commercially-available camera, then distance measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of installation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a detachable filter unit as an intermediary component that attaches to the camera lens exterior. This mediator provides the color filter functionality without requiring internal modification of the camera aperture, thus improving distance measurement capability while avoiding increased device complexity and installation difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering function is segmented from the main camera body and placed in a separate detachable filter unit. This allows the filter to be independently attached and oriented, enabling distance measurement without complicating the camera's internal structure or installation process
2Measurement precision
If a color filter is disposed at the aperture, then distance measurement capability is improved, but ease of operation for filter orientation adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is designed with rotatable attachment mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of filter orientation. Users can easily rotate the detachable filter unit to different angles before securing it, providing full orientational control without compromising distance measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable filter unit serves as an intermediary that decouples the filter from the fixed camera aperture. This intermediary design provides built-in orientational freedom, allowing users to adjust filter orientation externally without dealing with complex internal aperture mechanisms
3Loss of information
If filter areas transmit different wavelength bands, then distance information encoding is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into distinct filter areas with different wavelength transmission characteristics. Each segmented area can be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled into the complete filter unit, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining effective distance information encoding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses filter areas with different wavelength transmission parameters (different color filters). By varying the optical parameters of each filter area rather than requiring perfect geometric precision, the system achieves effective distance encoding while tolerating broader manufacturing variations
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 enables accurate and versatile distance calculation from images captured by a monocular camera, improving ranging accuracy and user convenience by allowing easy filter attachment and orientation adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
The filter part includes a first filter area that transmits light rays of a first wavelength band and a second filter area that transmits light rays of a second wavelength band
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an optical filter associated with a lens unit having a first end includes a filter part, a filter frame, and an attachment part. The filter part includes a first filter area that transmits light rays of a first wavelength band and a second filter area that transmits light rays of a second wavelength band. The first wavelength band and the second wavelength band include a common wavelength band. The filter frame holds the filter part. The attachment part is coupled with the filter frame and is detachably attached to the first end of the lens unit. When the attachment part is attached to the first end of the lens unit, a distance between the filter part and an aperture within the lens unit is longer than a distance between the first end and the aperture.