Rotating Mirror Camera System for High-Resolution 3D Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-view or autostereoscopic camera systems using a single 2D imager face issues with light intensity reduction and resolution loss due to beam splitters or mirror configurations, limiting their effectiveness in capturing high-quality, multi-perspective images.
Innovation Solution
A camera system employing a single 2D imager and a rotatable mirror, where the imager operates in line-scan mode and the mirror rotates to pan the projected image across the detector array, synchronizing the angle of the mirror with the activated line of detectors to capture inverted images, thereby avoiding the limitations of beam splitters and maintaining high resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a beam splitter is used to multiplex distinct images to a single camera, then multiple images can be captured simultaneously, but the light intensity received by the camera is reduced by half
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by sequentially capturing images from different perspectives using a single camera at different time instances, rather than simultaneously capturing all images through a beam splitter. The camera captures the first image at a first time instance and the second image at a second time instance, eliminating the light intensity reduction problem while still achieving multi-view capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using a movable mirror or lens assembly that can change its position or orientation between capturing different images. This dynamic adjustment allows the single camera to capture images from different perspectives sequentially, avoiding the static beam splitter configuration that divides light intensity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mirrors are used to provide a split image to a single camera, then multiple perspectives can be captured, but each image has half the resolution available if multiplexed to the single camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a movable mirror or lens assembly that can dynamically adjust its position to direct different perspectives to the single camera sequentially. This dynamic configuration allows the full resolution of the camera sensor to be dedicated to each captured image, rather than splitting the sensor area among multiple simultaneous images as in static mirror configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically adjusts the mirror or lens position between captures to change the perspective being recorded. This periodic reconfiguration allows the single camera to sequentially capture multiple perspectives at full resolution, rather than attempting to capture multiple perspectives simultaneously which would divide the sensor resolution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the imager and lens rotate to capture multi-view images, then multiple perspectives can be captured sequentially, but the system complexity and potential for error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the heavy imager and lens assembly, assigning it instead to a lightweight movable mirror or to the positioning system. This separation allows the imager and lens to remain stationary while still achieving multi-view capture through the movable optical elements, significantly reducing system complexity and potential errors associated with rotating heavy components.
4Productivity
If a 1D array system is used for scanning images, then multi-view images can be captured with a single imager, but signal losses and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a 1D array scanning approach to utilizing the full 2D array of the single imager. By capturing image lines sequentially across the 2D sensor array rather than scanning through a 1D array, the system maintains the efficiency of using a single imager while significantly improving signal quality and reducing errors by leveraging the higher resolution and light-gathering capability of the 2D detector array.
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 enables efficient capture of autostereoscopic or 3D images with improved light utilization and resolution, reducing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for the imager and lens to rotate, while minimizing errors and signal losses associated with 1D array systems.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable mirror is configured to rotate about an axis parallel to a plane defined by the rotatable mirror. The rotation is effective to vary an angle of the rotatable mirror to pan a projected image of the area across the 2D imager.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An image system (10) configured to record a scanned image (40) of an area (12). The system (10) includes a single two-dimensional (2D) imager (16) and a rotatable mirror (20). The 2D imager (16) is formed of a two-dimensional (2D) array of light detectors. The 2D imager (16) is operable in a line-scan mode effective to individually sequence an activated line of light detectors at a time. The rotatable mirror (20) is configured to rotate about an axis (24) parallel to a plane (26) defined by the rotatable mirror (20). The rotation is effective to vary an angle (28) of the rotatable mirror (20) to pan a projected image (30) of the area (12) across the 2D imager (16). The angle (28) of the rotatable mirror (20) and the activated line of the 2D imager (16) are synchronized such that the scanned image (40) recorded by the 2D imager (16) is inverted with respect to the projected image (30).