Image Capturing Apparatus with Reflection Members and Variable Focal Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autofocus systems using contrast AF methods have slow processing speeds and struggle with focusing objects outside the depth of field range, particularly with telephoto lenses, and existing stereo camera configurations face challenges in increasing the base length while shortening focal lengths to deepen the depth of field.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with two image capturing optical systems and sensors, where each system has a larger angle of field and includes at least two reflection members to introduce light to a single sensor, satisfying specific conditional expressions to achieve high accuracy and speed focusing over a wide distance range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the focal length of the image capturing optical system is shortened to deepen the depth of field, then the depth of field is increased, but the base length cannot be increased when using reflection members to introduce light to a single sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fourth dimension by utilizing the time domain through sequential imaging. Instead of requiring simultaneous capture from multiple optical systems, the invention captures images at different time points using a single optical system with varying focal lengths, thereby achieving stereo vision effects without the spatial constraints of multiple lenses and reflection members
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the complex reflection member structure (prisms or mirrors) from the optical system. By eliminating these components, the patent simplifies the optical path and allows direct use of the image sensor without the need for folding optical paths, thereby resolving the contradiction between short focal length and increased base length
2Measurement precision
If the base length is increased to calculate object distance with high resolution, then the distance calculation accuracy is improved, but the focal length must be increased which reduces the depth of field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the focal length parameter of the image capturing optical system between wide-angle (for depth of field) and telephoto (for distance precision). By switching focal lengths at different time points during the imaging process, the system achieves both deep depth of field and high distance measurement precision without requiring a large fixed base length
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the optical system dynamic by allowing the focal length to vary over time. The system transitions between different focal length states (wide-angle and telephoto) to adapt to different imaging requirements, enabling the same optical system to perform both functions that previously required separate fixed systems
3Measurement precision
If two image capturing optical systems are used to acquire object distance, then the focusing accuracy is improved, but the processing speed is slow and objects outside the depth of field range cannot be appropriately focused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary distance estimation using wide-angle imaging with deep depth of field to capture objects at various distances. This preliminary action provides initial focus position information that guides subsequent telephoto imaging, thereby improving processing speed by avoiding exhaustive contrast adjustment for all objects
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between wide-angle and telephoto imaging modes. The wide-angle mode periodically captures scenes with deep depth of field to identify objects, while the telephoto mode periodically refines distance measurements for selected objects, creating a rhythmic imaging pattern that balances speed and accuracy
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 enables high accuracy and speed focusing over a wide distance range by increasing the base length while maintaining a short focal length, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
each of the second image capturing optical system and the third image capturing optical system includes at least two reflection members configured to introduce light from an object to the second image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus (1) includes a first image capturer (100) including a first image capturing optical system (101) and a first image sensor (102), and a second image capturer (110) including a second image capturing optical system (111a) and a third image capturing optical system (111b) with different viewpoints from each other and a second image sensor (112), an angle of field of each of the second image capturing optical system and the third image capturing optical system is larger than an angle of field of the first image capturing optical system, each of the second image capturing optical system and the third image capturing optical system includes at least two reflection members (P1a, P2a; P1b, P2b) that introduces light from an object to the second image sensor, and a predetermined conditional expression is satisfied.