Rotating Lens Assembly for 3D Imaging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D imaging devices face alignment issues when the lenses are not in the same horizontal orientation as the viewer's eyes, particularly when the device is tilted, requiring unnatural head movements or display adjustments to view stereo images correctly.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device employs rotatably mounted lenses that automatically reorient to a horizontal position using gravity or motors, ensuring proper lens alignment regardless of the device's angle, with indicators to signal readiness for capturing stereo images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging device is turned to a vertical or non-horizontal angle to capture the scene, then the imaging area or composition is improved, but the lens orientation becomes misaligned with the viewer's horizontal eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is made dynamically adjustable through rotational movement. The housing allows the lens assembly to rotate relative to the image sensor, enabling the lenses to maintain horizontal orientation even when the device body is positioned vertically or at various angles, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging versatility and viewing comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is segmented into two independent functional modules: the device housing and the rotatable lens assembly. This segmentation allows the lens assembly to rotate independently from the housing, enabling the lenses to be oriented horizontally while the device itself can be positioned in various orientations for different imaging scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device is held vertically for portrait mode imaging, then the imaging orientation is improved, but the lenses become misaligned requiring unnatural head positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly incorporates dynamic rotational capability that allows it to adapt its orientation independently of the device housing. When the device is held vertically for portrait imaging, the lens assembly can rotate to maintain horizontal lens alignment, ensuring that viewers can watch stereo images in a natural horizontal eye position regardless of how the device is held
3Manufacturing precision
If the lenses are fixed in horizontal orientation, then stereo image alignment is improved, but the device cannot be used in vertical or various orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is designed with dynamic rotational adjustment capability, allowing the lenses to maintain precise horizontal alignment with the image sensor while the device housing can be positioned in various orientations. This dynamic adjustment mechanism ensures that stereo image alignment is preserved regardless of how the device is held or positioned
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the lens assembly from the device housing through a rotatable connection, the system allows the lens alignment to be independently controlled and maintained in horizontal orientation while the housing can be freely oriented for different imaging scenarios, thus achieving both precise alignment and versatile positioning
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 seamless 3D image capture and viewing by maintaining lens alignment with the image sensor, allowing for natural viewing positions and improved user experience across various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a weight 15 is positioned centrally below the two imaging lenses 14a and 14b. Then, when the imaging device is turned to the vertical or portrait orientation, shown in FIG. 2, the weight 15 automatically reorients the imaging lenses 14a and 14b to the same orientation shown in FIG. 1
Implementation Method 2
in this case, instead of simply using gravity to reorient the lenses, motors 18a or 18b may drive the rotary housing 12 relative to the rest of the imaging device housing 10
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device may include a housing and a pair of lenses mounted in the housing. A mechanism maintains the lenses in a horizontal orientation when the housing is rotated about an imaging axis.