Plenoptic Camera Microlens Array Asymmetry Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plenoptic cameras suffer from poor overall spatial resolution due to irregular distribution of intersections in object space, leading to areas being imaged by more than two pixels or not at all, resulting in blind spots and varying resolution across different planes.
Innovation Solution
A plenoptic camera design with an optical system and a matrix photosensitive sensor where optical elements are arranged in irregular patterns, with varying distances between rows and columns, ensuring that each pixel receives a single light ray and forming macropixels that extend over multiple pixels, dynamically associating rays with pixels to optimize intersection distribution and minimize the distance to the nearest intersection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If microlenses are arranged in a regular array with constant spacing, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the distribution of intersections in object space becomes irregular, creating blind areas and poor overall spatial resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a regular, symmetric microlens array to an irregular, asymmetric arrangement where microlenses are randomly shifted from their regular positions. This asymmetric distribution eliminates the periodicity that causes blind areas and improves the homogeneity of intersection distribution in object space, thereby enhancing spatial resolution while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through randomization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameters of microlenses by introducing random shifts to each microlens position. Instead of maintaining constant spacing between microlenses, the patent varies the positions within controlled random ranges, which transforms the regular parameter distribution into an irregular one, optimizing the intersection distribution in object space.
2Device complexity
If microlenses are arranged in a regular array, then the device complexity is low, but certain zones are imaged by no pixel or by a single pixel, creating blind areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry to break the regular periodic pattern of microlens arrangement, which is the root cause of blind areas. By randomly shifting microlens positions, the asymmetric arrangement ensures that light rays from all zones in object space are distributed more uniformly across pixels, eliminating the periodic blind areas while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accepts a trade-off where the microlens array configuration is optimized for performance rather than manufacturing simplicity. The irregular arrangement, while slightly more complex to manufacture, provides reliable coverage of all object space zones without creating blind areas, ensuring that every region is properly imaged.
3Ease of manufacture
If microlenses are arranged in a regular array, then the structure is simple, but the distribution of intersections in object space is irregular with high density in some planes and low density in others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the positional parameters of microlenses by introducing random variations to the spacing between adjacent microlenses. Instead of maintaining uniform spacing, the patent allows spacing to vary within controlled ranges, which transforms the regular parameter distribution into an irregular one, thereby achieving more uniform intersection density across different object space planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the microlens array to have different spacing characteristics. Each microlens position is independently adjusted within random ranges, creating local variations in spacing that collectively produce a homogeneous distribution of intersections throughout the entire object space, rather than uniform spacing causing localized density variations.
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 improves the three-dimensional reconstruction resolution by ensuring more points are imaged on at least two pixels, leading to a more homogeneous distribution and better overall spatial resolution, with the farthest point from intersections being only 12 micrometers away, significantly enhancing the camera's ability to determine object space coordinates.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system which receives light coming from an object field
Implementation Method 2
optics which comprise focusing optics
Implementation Method 3
an array of optical elements positioned in an image plane... Each optical element forms on the photosensitive sensor a macropixel image
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plenoptic camera (1) comprising an optical system receiving light issuing from an object field in which there is an object space intended to be processed via the camera. A matrix photosensitive sensor (3) is composed of pixels arranged in rows and columns and such that each pixel receives the light of a single light ray via the system. The light rays, each associated with their pixel, form intersections in said object space, and the optics are configured so as to minimize the greatest distance between any point of the object space and the closest of said intersections of these light rays. Optical elements (4) are aligned and arranged in rows and columns parallel respectively to the rows and columns of the matrix sensor (3), forming the intersections in the object field, the distances separating said rows and/or columns being irregular.