Optical Plate Image Sensor for Multiple Focus Planes in 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D imaging systems based on light triangulation struggle to achieve focus outside the light plane, limiting the capture of both 3D and 2D image data simultaneously, and adding additional cameras or lenses complicates the setup.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical plate with different refractive properties between the lens and the image sensing area of the image sensor to create additional focus planes, allowing simultaneous focus on different parts of the object at varying depths using existing image sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single focus plane is used aligned with the light plane, then light triangulation imaging is achieved, but focus outside the light plane is lost
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 planes (light plane and other planes) simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between maintaining 3D imaging precision and expanding focus capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the image sensor are assigned different optical characteristics through the optical plate portions with varying refractive properties. This local differentiation enables each region to optimize focus for its specific imaging task, allowing both 3D light triangulation and 2D imaging at different depths simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional cameras or lenses are added to capture multiple focus planes, then focus capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing 3D light triangulation data and 2D image data at different depths simultaneously. The optical plate portions enable this multi-functionality without requiring additional cameras or lenses, thus improving focus capability while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple focus planes into a single image sensor by incorporating multiple optical plate portions with different refractive properties. This consolidation integrates what would traditionally require separate optical systems into one unified sensor, reducing overall system 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
Enables simultaneous focus on both 3D and 2D image data without increasing system complexity, facilitating faster scanning and detection of unexpected object movements.
Implementation Method 1
optical plate portions with different refractive properties so that light incident from said lens and refracted by said optical plate portions towards and onto said image sensing area will travel different distances to be in focus on said image sensing area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
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).