Multi-Focus Image Sensor for Triangulation 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D imaging systems based on light triangulation struggle to maintain focus both within and outside the light plane, limiting their ability to capture in-focus 2D data and accurately represent objects with depth information.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor with multiple focus planes is achieved by incorporating an optical plate with different refractive properties, allowing light to travel different distances and be focused at various points on the image sensing area, enabling simultaneous focus on multiple depths within the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single focus plane is used in conventional 3D imaging systems, then the system can achieve focus on the light plane for 3D imaging, but it cannot capture both 3D and 2D image data simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple regions, each covered by an optical plate portion with different refractive properties. This segmentation allows different regions to focus light from different depths, enabling simultaneous capture of 3D and 2D image data without adding multiple cameras or lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the image sensor are assigned different optical characteristics through the optical plate portions with varying refractive indices. This local differentiation enables each region to optimize focus for specific depth ranges, resolving the contradiction between focus capability and system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional cameras or lenses are added to achieve focus outside the light plane, then multi-depth focus is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical plate with multiple portions of different refractive properties serves multiple functions: it enables focus at different depths, supports both 3D and 2D imaging, and maintains compatibility with existing image sensors. This multi-functionality avoids the need for additional cameras or lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical plate acts as an intermediary element between the lens and the image sensor. By introducing this intermediate component with varying refractive properties, the system achieves multi-depth focus capability without modifying the fundamental camera structure or adding separate imaging devices.
3Measurement precision
If conventional peak finding algorithms are used to detect intensity peaks, then processing speed is maintained, but measurement precision for 3D information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely algorithmic approach (peak finding) with an optical physics-based solution. The optical plate portions physically separate and focus light from different depths onto different regions of the sensor, enabling direct optical capture of 3D information without relying solely on computational methods.
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
This solution allows for the capture of in-focus 2D data and improved 3D representation by ensuring that different parts of an object at various depths are in focus simultaneously, enhancing the imaging system's ability to handle unexpected movements and maintain accurate 3D representation.
Implementation Method 1
The optical plate portions have different refractive properties such that light incident from said lens and refracted by said optical plate portions towards and onto the image sensing area will travel different distances to be in focus on the image sensing area
Data Source
AI summary
Image sensor (331; 531; 531′) for use with a lens (340; 540′) arranged to focus light onto an image sensing area (333; 533) of said image sensor (331; 531). Camera (330; 530′; 730) comprising the image sensor (331; 531; 531′) and said lens (340; 540′). Imaging system (305; 705; 730) for three-dimensional imaging of an object (320; 720) based on light triangulation, comprising the camera. The image sensor (331; 531) comprising an optical plate (337; 537) arranged to cover the image sensing area (333; 533) by at least two optical plate portions (334-1, 334-2; 534-1, 534-2) with different refractive properties such that light incident from said lens (340; 540′) and refracted by said optical plate portions (334-1, 334-2; 534-1, 534-2) towards and onto the image sensing area (333; 533) will travel different distances to be in focus on the image sensing area depending on which of said optical plate portions (334-1, 334-2; 534-1, 534-2) the light was refracted by. As a result, the image sensing area portions covered by said at least two optical plate portions (334-1, 334-2; 534-1, 534-2) become associated with different focus planes (351-1, 351-2; 751-1, 751-2).