3D Endoscope Polarization Filter for Sensor Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D endoscopes face challenges in accurately capturing 3D information about the shape of an object's surface due to difficulties in matching characteristics between stereo vision system image sensors, and there is a need to improve the effective use of incoming light for better sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A 3D image shooting apparatus that uses a polarized light source with multiple plane polarized light rays of different angles, an image capturing section with a lens and image sensor, and an incoming light transmitting section with polarization filters arranged in a concentric ring shape to enhance sensitivity and capture multi-viewpoint images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stereo vision system with two lens-image sensor sets is used to obtain multi-viewpoint images, then 3D shape information can be obtained, but it is difficult to perfectly match the characteristics of the two image sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The incoming light transmitting section is divided into multiple regions with different polarization filter orientations, allowing simultaneous capture of light with different polarization states through a single image sensor, thereby avoiding the matching issues between multiple sensors while still obtaining multi-viewpoint information
Solution Approach 2:
A polarization filter is introduced as an intermediary element in the optical path, placed at a specific position relative to the aperture, to modulate the incoming light and enable depth information extraction through polarization-based optical path difference rather than through sensor matching
2Reliability
If a single lens-image sensor set is used to obtain multi-viewpoint images, then sensor matching issues are avoided, but the effective use of incoming light is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polarization dimension to the single-image-sensor system by placing the polarization filter at a specific position, enabling the system to extract depth information through polarization-based optical path differences while fully utilizing the incoming light without waste
Solution Approach 2:
The polarization filter orientation is optimized at a specific position in the optical path to maximize the optical path difference between reflected and transmitted light, thereby improving depth measurement sensitivity and light utilization efficiency simultaneously
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
The solution improves the sensitivity of 3D image capturing by effectively utilizing polarized light to generate accurate multi-viewpoint images, allowing for better observation of surface shapes and depth information, overcoming the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a polarized light source section that sequentially illuminates an object with three or more kinds of plane polarized light rays, of which the planes of polarization define mutually different angles
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor that generates, through photoelectric conversion, a pixel signal based on the image produced by the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary 3D image shooting apparatus comprises: a polarized light source; an image capturing section that sequentially captures an image of the object that is being illuminated with each of plane polarized light rays, and an image processor. The image capturing section includes: a lens; an image sensor; and an incoming light transmitting section which has a transparent area and a plurality of polarization filter areas. The polarization filter areas are arranged outside of the transparent area, generally have a concentric ring shape, and include left and right filter areas so that their polarization transmission axis directions define an angle α (0<α<90 degrees). The image processing section generates a plurality of images from light that has been transmitted through the transparent area and light that has been transmitted through the plurality of polarization filter areas.