Single-Lens Stereo Capture via Sensor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional double-lens stereo cameras are bulky, costly, and incompatible with single-lens image capture systems, making it difficult to generate stereo content efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A single-lens image capture apparatus that adjusts the relative position relationship between the image sensor and the lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, allowing for the generation of stereo images using a movable lens or image sensor, enabling the capture of stereo content without the need for two lenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional double-lens stereo camera is used to capture stereo content, then stereo images can be captured, but the device size and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestereo content capture capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of two separate lenses into a single lens system. By using one lens to capture both the first and second images at different focal lengths, the design eliminates the need for two separate lens assemblies, thereby reducing device size while maintaining stereo content capture capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single lens is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing wide-angle images and telephoto images by adjusting focal length, and capturing both left and right stereo views by positioning the image sensor at different locations. This multi-functionality replaces what traditionally required two separate lens systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a conventional double-lens stereo camera is used to capture stereo content, then stereo images can be captured, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestereo content capture capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two lens functions into one lens, reducing the number of optical components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and aligned. This merging reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to capture stereo content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single lens is designed to be universal, serving multiple purposes (wide-angle/telephoto switching and stereo view capture) that traditionally required separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall system cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a double-lens stereo camera is used, then stereo images can be captured, but compatibility with general single-lens image capture systems is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestereo content capture capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with single-lens systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains compatibility with general single-lens image capture systems by using a standard single lens and image sensor assembly. The stereo capture function is achieved through software-controlled focal length adjustment and image sensor positioning, allowing the system to operate in both single-lens and stereo modes without requiring specialized hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Volume of moving object

If focal length is adjusted to capture stereo content with a single lens, then device size is reduced, but the depth range may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddepth range for indoor scenes

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of focal length and image sensor positioning to capture stereo content. By making these parameters variable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to different depth ranges while maintaining a compact form factor, ensuring reliable depth coverage for indoor scenes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2229000B1Apparatus and method for capturing stereoscopic images of a scene

Publication Date: 2018.08.15 MEDIATEK INC

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AI summary

An image capture apparatus (200, 500, 600) includes an image sensor (204, 504, 604), a lens (202, 502, 602), an adjusting mechanism (206, 520, 620), and a controller (208, 508, 608). The image sensor (204, 504, 604) is configured for detecting incident light to generate a corresponding captured image. The lens (202, 502, 602) is configured for guiding light of a scene toward the image sensor (204, 504, 604). The adjusting mechanism (206, 520, 620) is configured for adjusting a relative position relationship between the image sensor (204, 504, 604) and the lens (202, 502, 602) when the image capture apparatus (200, 500, 600) is capturing the scene. The controller (208, 508, 608) is configured for controlling the image sensor (204, 504, 604) to generate a plurality of captured images of the scene in response to different relative position relationships between the image sensor (204, 504, 604) and the lens (202, 502, 602).