Parallax Ranging Optics for Compact High-Accuracy Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring apparatuses face challenges in achieving both a compact size and high accuracy, with conventional systems either increasing in size due to spaced cameras or compromising accuracy with foveal lenses that reduce peripheral focal length.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring apparatus with an optical system where the focal length in the peripheral area is shorter than the central area, utilizing a parallax direction orthogonal to the installation surface, and an image sensor to acquire distance information from light beams from two different pupil positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two cameras are spaced apart to obtain parallax amount, then distance measurement capability is achieved, but the size of the measurement apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple camera functions into a single camera by integrating a plurality of image sensors that capture images from different pupil positions simultaneously. This merging approach eliminates the need for multiple spaced cameras while maintaining parallax-based distance measurement capability, thus reducing apparatus size without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial separation of cameras in the horizontal direction to capturing multiple perspectives through the vertical dimension by arranging image sensors to receive light from different pupil positions. This dimensional shift allows parallax measurement without increasing the horizontal footprint of the apparatus
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 configuration enables a small and highly accurate distance measuring apparatus with a wide angle of view in the horizontal direction while maintaining precision, suppressing decreases in accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an acquiring unit configured to acquire distance information on the object from a parallax image acquired by the image sensor based on light beams from two different pupil positions in the optical system
Data Source
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AI summary
[PROBLEMS] To provide a small and highly accurate distance measuring apparatus [SOLUTION MEANS] A distance measuring apparatus (1) includes an optical system (101) in which a focal length in a peripheral area distant from an optical axis is shorter than a focal length in a central area including the optical axis, an image sensor (102) including a plurality of pixels configured to receive an image of an object formed by the optical system, and an acquiring unit (103) configured to acquire distance information on the object from a parallax image acquired by the image sensor based on light beams from two different pupil positions in the optical system. A parallax direction of the parallax image is a direction including a component in a direction orthogonal to an installation surface of the distance measuring apparatus.