Plenoptic Lens Camera with Beam Splitter for Depth Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stereoscopic image capture systems are cumbersome and expensive due to the use of large rigs with heavy equipment, and they often require cumbersome colored screens for depth editing, which can introduce unwanted borders around objects.
Innovation Solution
An image capture device with an optical beam splitter and a plenoptic lens that splits light to provide depth information for post-production editing, allowing for efficient editing without colored screens and reducing the need for heavy equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large rigs with heavy equipment are used for stereoscopic image capture, then depth information can be captured, but the equipment becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented using a beam splitter that divides incoming light into two separate paths: one path captures standard 2D images while the other path captures depth information through a plenoptic lens. This segmentation allows depth capture without requiring a complete stereoscopic rig, significantly reducing equipment weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter enables a single camera system to perform multiple functions simultaneously: capturing both 2D images and depth information through the plenoptic lens. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heavy stereoscopic equipment, achieving depth capture with a lightweight single-camera setup.
2Ease of operation
If colored screens are used for depth editing, then depth separation can be achieved, but unwanted borders appear around objects and the process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of using colored screens for depth editing with a computational approach. Depth maps generated by the plenoptic lens are processed digitally to create alpha channels or depth-based compositing layers, eliminating the need for physical colored screens and avoiding the unwanted borders they produce.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical colored screens to separate depth layers, the system creates digital copies of depth information as depth maps from the plenoptic lens data. These digital depth maps are then used for compositing and editing operations, providing clean edge separation without physical screen artifacts.
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 lightweight and efficient capture of depth information for stereoscopic images, allowing for real-time and post-production editing without the need for cumbersome screens, improving the 3D viewing experience and reducing equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical beam splitter that receives the light from the lens and directs a first portion of the light to an image sensor and a second portion of the light to a plenoptic lens
Implementation Method 2
a plenoptic lens that receives a second portion of the light from the optical beam splitter
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device includes a lens that receives light. Further, the image capture device includes an optical beam splitter that receives the light from the lens. In addition, the image capture device includes an image sensor that receives a first portion of the light from the optical beam splitter. The image capture device also includes a plenoptic lens that receives a second portion of the light from the optical beam splitter.