Single-Lens Camera 3D Image Capture Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing 3D images, such as stereo cameras with two lenses or single-lens cameras requiring horizontal shifts, face challenges in achieving stable and effective parallax, leading to inconsistent imaging effects due to inaccurate user control.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single-lens camera calculates an overlap width based on the focus distance and average human eye distance, displays the first and real-time images with marked overlap areas, allowing users to adjust the camera position for optimal overlap, ensuring a good 3D imaging effect by aligning feature points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a stereo camera with two lenses is used to capture 3D images, then the imaging effect is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two separate lenses and sensors into a single lens and sensor system. By using one lens to capture both the first image (full frame) and the second image (cropped from corner), the device complexity is reduced while maintaining the ability to generate stereoscopic 3D images through computational processing rather than physical dual-lens hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual second image by cropping and processing a portion of the first image captured by a single lens. This computational copying approach simulates the effect of a second lens without requiring actual dual-lens hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving the stereoscopic imaging capability.
2Device complexity
If a single-lens camera is used to capture 3D images by horizontal movement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and imaging effect deteriorate due to inaccurate parallax control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the overlap width between the first image and the second image based on the focus distance and average human eye distance. This pre-computation allows the system to determine the exact cropping region in advance, ensuring accurate parallax control and stable imaging effect without requiring manual adjustment or complex real-time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent displays the calculated overlap area on the screen to provide visual feedback to the user. This allows the user to verify that the cropping region is correctly positioned and adjusted, ensuring accurate parallax control. The feedback mechanism enhances reliability by allowing users to confirm proper alignment before final image capture.
3Ease of operation
If the overlap width is not accurately calculated, then the ease of operation is improved, but the imaging effect deteriorates due to insufficient parallax
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically calculate the overlap width using the formula involving focus distance and average human eye distance, without requiring manual input from the user. The system self-determines the cropping parameters based on captured image data, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring accurate imaging effect through automated computational geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for capturing a three dimensional (3D) image by using a single-lens camera is provided. First, a first image is captured. According to a focus distance of the single-lens camera in capturing the first image and an average distance between two human eyes, an overlap width between the first image and a second image required for capturing the second image of the 3D image is calculated. Then, the first image and a real-time image captured by the single-lens camera are displayed, and an overlap area is marked on the first image according to the calculated overlap width. A horizontal shift of the single-lens camera is adjusted, to locate the real-time image in the overlap area. Finally, the real-time image is captured as the second image, and the first and second images are output as the 3D image.