Polarizer Layer Twist Angle Control for Camera Inclination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup technologies face challenges in effectively removing polarization components when the camera orientation changes, leading to inadequate extraction of desired polarization components and reduced signal levels, especially when mechanical mechanisms are required for polarization control.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus with a polarization removing element layer, a polarizer layer, an inclination detecting device, and a controller that adjusts the polarizer layer's twist angle based on detected inclination, using twisted nematic liquid crystals to ensure accurate polarization axis alignment and transmission of light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a polarization filter is mechanically inserted or a polarizer is rotated to extract polarization components, then the desired polarization component can be extracted, but the apparatus structure size is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical polarization control mechanisms (polarization filters and rotating polarizers) with an electronic solution using GH liquid crystal layers. The liquid crystal layers can be electrically controlled to selectively transmit or absorb specific polarization components without any mechanical moving parts, thereby maintaining polarization extraction accuracy while significantly reducing apparatus structure size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical position/rotation to electrical voltage control. By applying different voltages to the GH liquid crystal layers, the polarization transmission characteristics can be dynamically adjusted without mechanical movement, resolving the contradiction between extraction accuracy and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If GH liquid crystal layers are used to electrically extract polarization components, then the apparatus structure size is reduced, but the polarization orientation of the object deviates from the camera orientation when the camera is inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by making the polarization control system responsive to camera orientation. The GH liquid crystal layers can be electrically reconfigured based on detected camera inclination, allowing the system to dynamically adjust its polarization transmission axes to match the object's polarization orientation regardless of camera angle, thereby maintaining extraction accuracy while keeping the device compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where camera orientation information is used to control the polarization state of the GH liquid crystal layers. This closed-loop control ensures that the liquid crystal layers always transmit the correct polarization component even when the camera is inclined, resolving the accuracy issue while maintaining the compact electronic structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is inclined, then the polarization orientation of the object deviates from the polarization orientation of the camera, but mechanical adjustment mechanisms increase the apparatus complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic control system using GH liquid crystal layers. The liquid crystal layers can be electrically reoriented to match any camera inclination angle without physical rotation or mechanical movement, providing full orientation adaptability while eliminating complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 effective removal of polarization components regardless of camera orientation, improving image quality by maintaining signal levels and reducing the need for mechanical mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization control device uses a GH (Guest-Host) liquid crystal (also referred to as dichroism liquid crystal). The GH liquid crystal only absorbs a predetermined polarization component.
Implementation Method 2
A polarizer layer is provided in front of the polarization removing element layer, the polarizer layer being configured to twist polarization axes of light having a plurality of polarization axes by predetermined angles, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus includes: a polarization removing element layer including a plurality of polarization removing elements, each of the plurality of polarization removing elements being configured to polarize an incident light to thereby obtain light having a polarization axis in a predetermined direction and to transmit the polarized light; a polarizer layer provided in front of the polarization removing element layer, the polarizer layer being configured to twist polarization axes of light having a plurality of polarization axes by predetermined angles, respectively, and to transmit the light; an inclination detecting device configured to detect inclination of the incident light to an optical axis; a controller configured to control and drive the polarizer layer such that the polarizer layer twists the polarization axis of light depending on the inclination detected by the inclination detecting device and transmits the light; and an image pickup device configured to detect the light.