In-Chamber Optical Calibration for Tunable-Focus Camera Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tunable lens-based camera systems suffer from unpredictable ageing drift, leading to focus distance inaccuracies and performance degradation, requiring frequent external calibration by skilled technicians, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
An automated focus calibration process is implemented within the camera system, utilizing an optical chamber with an illumination source and reflective element to perform self-calibration without external setup, updating a look-up table to maintain focus accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional focus calibration processes are used, then focus distance accuracy is restored, but external setup and technician intervention are required
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system performs self-calibration using an integrated optical chamber with illumination source and sensor. The system automatically executes calibration routines without external technicians or equipment, making the calibration process self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external intervention while maintaining focus distance accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the calibration target environment and the measurement instrument. The illumination source, reflective element, and sensor within the chamber work together to enable the camera system to calibrate itself, combining what were previously separate calibration equipment and measurement functions into a single integrated system.
2Reliability
If frequent calibration processes are performed, then focus distance accuracy is maintained, but operational time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration target and measurement system are pre-integrated into the optical chamber, which remains permanently installed within the camera system. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for repeated external setup procedures, allowing frequent calibration cycles to be performed quickly without increasing operational time or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical chamber enables continuous or frequent calibration operations to be performed directly within the camera system without interruption or external setup. The calibration process becomes a continuous maintenance activity rather than a periodic external procedure, maintaining optical stability efficiently.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated calibration setup is used, then calibration accuracy is ensured, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration target, illumination source, sensor, and measurement system are merged into a single integrated optical chamber that is permanently installed within the camera system. This consolidation maintains calibration accuracy while reducing the complexity associated with external dedicated calibration equipment and setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical chamber with its calibration components is nested within the camera system housing. The illumination source, reflective element, and sensor are contained within the chamber, which itself is integrated into the camera system, creating a compact nested structure that maintains functionality while minimizing external complexity.
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 system maintains optical stability and performance by automatically correcting tunable lens ageing drift, eliminating the need for external intervention and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source configured to output an illumination signal that is incident the camera receiving lens along a first axis via the camera receiving lens
Implementation Method 2
The illumination signal may be reflected from a reflective element as a reflected illumination signal back through a second axis via the camera receiving lens
Implementation Method 3
a camera receiving lens disposed in the aperture of the housing and configured to enable light external of the optical chamber to be focused onto the camera sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An in-chamber device and method for calibrating a tunable-focus camera system may include an optical chamber that includes a housing, camera sensor, camera receiving lens, and illumination source. The housing may define an aperture, and the camera sensor may be disposed within the housing. The camera receiving lens may be disposed in the aperture and configured to enable light external of the optical chamber to be focused onto the camera sensor. The illumination source may be configured to output an illumination signal that is incident the camera receiving lens along a first axis via the camera receiving lens. The illumination signal may be reflected from a reflective element as a reflected illumination signal back through a second axis via the camera receiving lens so as to enable the reflected illumination signal to be sensed. The optical chamber may be used to automatically calibrate the tunable-focus camera system periodically or aperiodically.