Microprism Array 3D Image Capture System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D image capture systems with fixedly spaced image capture modules struggle to produce natural 3D images when subjects are close, often resulting in unnatural or headache-inducing shadow images due to significant image differences between the left and right images.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional image capture system incorporating a microprism array optically coupled to a lens, which deflects and processes left and right images to calculate a depthmap, allowing for the generation of 3D images from a single camera structure, reducing circuitry requirements and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image capture module is used with a microprism array, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to capture accurate 3D depth information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image capture process into two separate optical paths within a single camera module. The microprism array segments incoming light into left-eye and right-eye image paths, allowing the single camera to function as two virtual cameras. This segmentation enables accurate stereo 3D capture while maintaining a single physical image capture module.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprism array acts as an intermediary optical element between the lens and the image sensor. It mediates the light path by deflecting light rays to create separate left and right image streams from a single optical input, enabling depth information capture without requiring two separate camera modules.
2Device complexity
If the distance between image capture modules is fixed, then device structure is simplified, but 3D image quality deteriorates when capturing close subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the baseline distance through movable mounting structures. The distance between the virtual left and right image capture positions can be adjusted based on the distance to the subject, allowing optimal 3D image quality for both close and distant subjects while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
3Measurement precision
If image capture modules are spaced far apart, then depth perception is improved, but shadow images and unnatural effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the baseline distance parameter based on subject distance. For close subjects, a smaller baseline is used to prevent excessive image differences and shadow effects. For distant subjects, a larger baseline provides sufficient depth perception. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between depth perception and natural image quality.
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 effectively produces detailed 3D images by standardizing the separation of left and right images, minimizing search time for correspondence points, and maintaining coherence across frames, providing a cost-effective and less cumbersome alternative to traditional stereo systems.
Implementation Method 1
a microprism array, optically coupled to the lens, configured to horizontally deflect the left image and the right image
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A three dimensional image capture system includes: an image capture device configured to generate video data; a lens, coupled to the image capture device, configured to focus a left image and a right image; a microprism array, coupled to the lens, configured to horizontally deflect the left image and the right image; and an image processing unit, coupled to the image capture device, configured to calculate a depthmap from the left image and the right image in the video data, rendered by the microprism array.