Multi-Camera TOF Depth Imaging for Thin High-Resolution Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Time-Of-Flight (TOF) camera systems face challenges in achieving high resolution and accurate depth measurement while maintaining a thin and portable design, due to large pixel sizes and sensitivity to background light.
Innovation Solution
A TOF camera system comprising multiple cameras, at least one of which is a TOF camera, assembled on a common substrate and imaging the same scene simultaneously, with at least two cameras driven by different parameters to enhance depthmap quality and reduce system thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are assembled on a common substrate to improve depth measurement accuracy and resolution, then the image quality and depth map accuracy are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cameras (including TOF and non-TOF cameras) on a single common substrate to create an integrated multi-camera system. This merging approach enables simultaneous capture of depth and color information from multiple viewpoints, improving depth measurement accuracy and resolving depth aliasing issues while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for portable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments different imaging functions across multiple camera units on the same substrate, with each camera optimized for specific functions (e.g., TOF cameras for depth measurement, RGB cameras for color capture). This segmentation allows each camera to specialize in particular tasks while working together to provide comprehensive scene understanding and high-quality 3D imaging.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras are used to capture simultaneous images for depth information fusion, then the resolution and quality of depth maps are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By assembling multiple cameras on a common substrate rather than separate housings, the patent inherently aligns the optical axes and sensor planes of all cameras. This integrated mounting approach eliminates complex alignment procedures and ensures precise relative positioning of multiple camera systems, directly addressing the manufacturing precision challenge.
Solution Approach 2:
The common substrate serves as a pre-aligned platform that establishes precise geometric relationships between multiple cameras before final assembly. This preliminary alignment structure ensures that all cameras are correctly positioned and oriented relative to each other, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing alignment errors.
3Reliability
If TOF cameras use larger pixel sizes to improve signal detection, then the depth measurement range is improved, but the spatial resolution and image detail are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple TOF cameras with smaller pixels on a common substrate, where the collective array of smaller pixels from multiple cameras provides both adequate signal detection capability and high spatial resolution. This segmentation of the imaging function across multiple units resolves the trade-off between pixel size and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing pixel size in a single camera, the system achieves improved signal detection by adding more camera units in a different dimension (spatial arrangement on common substrate). This approach maintains small pixel sizes for high resolution while the multi-camera configuration provides redundant signal detection capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the camera system is designed for portability with reduced thickness, then the adaptability for mobile devices is improved, but the depth measurement accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cameras on a thin common substrate to achieve a compact, portable form factor. This integration maintains close spacing between cameras while minimizing overall system thickness, enabling portable applications without sacrificing depth measurement capability through the multi-camera fusion approach.
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 proposed solution improves the resolution and accuracy of depth maps, reduces parallax issues, and enables the system to be more compact and suitable for mass-produced portable devices, while also addressing background light robustness and depth aliasing.
Implementation Method 1
TOF camera systems capable of capturing 3D images of a scene 15 by analysing the time of flight of light from a light source 18 to an object
Implementation Method 2
The basic operational principle of a TOF camera system is to actively illuminate a scene 15 with a modulated light 16 at a predetermined wavelength using the dedicated illumination unit
Implementation Method 3
A lens collects the reflected light 17 and forms an image of the objects onto an imaging sensor 1
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a TOF camera system comprising several cameras, at least one of the cameras being a TOF camera, wherein the cameras are assembled on a common substrate and are imaging the same scene simultaneously and wherein at least two cameras are driven by different driving parameters.