Portable Infrared 3D Capture Module for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D imaging solutions for real-time capture are often expensive, bulky, power-hungry, and proprietary, limiting their accessibility and applicability in various fields.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus for real-time 3D capture using a mobile electronic device with an infrared projector, sensor, control module, battery, and software module, which projects and captures infrared patterns to determine depth information, compatible with a variety of devices and environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current 3D imaging solutions are used for real-time capture, then real-time 3D imaging capability is achieved, but the device becomes expensive, bulky, and power-hungry
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the 3D imaging function into separate components: an infrared projector module that projects patterns and an infrared sensor module that captures reflected patterns. These modules can be independently optimized and attached to different mobile devices, allowing real-time 3D capture without requiring a single bulky integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to be compatible with multiple types of mobile electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, cameras) by providing separate attachable modules. This universal design allows the same infrared projector and sensor modules to work with various devices, reducing the need for proprietary expensive systems and enabling real-time 3D capture across different platforms.
2Productivity
If current 3D imaging solutions are used for real-time capture, then real-time 3D imaging capability is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and proprietary
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard mobile device interfaces and common communication protocols to enable compatibility with multiple device types. The separate module design allows different infrared projector and sensor combinations to work with various smartphones, tablets, and cameras, making the technology accessible and eliminating proprietary limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a software module as an intermediary that manages communication between the mobile device and the infrared modules. This software layer handles data processing and coordination, allowing different hardware configurations to work together seamlessly and enabling real-time 3D capture across diverse device platforms without requiring proprietary integrated systems.
3Productivity
If current 3D imaging solutions are used for real-time capture, then real-time 3D imaging capability is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared projector operates by projecting patterns in sequential frames rather than continuously, synchronized with the mobile device camera's frame rate. The infrared sensor captures reflected patterns at these periodic intervals. This periodic operation mode enables real-time 3D capture while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation, as the system only activates components when data capture is needed.
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 cost-effective, compact, and power-efficient real-time 3D imaging, expanding applications and making 3D capture more accessible to users, including those unfamiliar with 3D technology.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared projector 110 that projects a pattern onto an imaging target
Implementation Method 2
an infrared sensor 120 that captures the pattern
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of a real-time 3D capture system for a mobile electronic device having a camera includes an infrared projector that projects a pattern onto an imaging target; an infrared sensor that captures the pattern; a control module that controls the projector and sensor, takes data from the sensor, determines depth information from the data, and transmits the depth information to the mobile electronic device; a battery that provides power to the projector, sensor, and control module; a software module connected to the mobile electronic device that controls communication of data from the camera and depth information between the control module and the mobile electronic device; a mounting bracket that removably attaches the apparatus to the mobile electronic device such that the capture system when attached maintains alignment with the camera; and a chassis that holds the projector, sensor, control module, and battery, and attaches to the mounting bracket.