Stereo Camera Autofocus Control for Comfortable 3D Parallax
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing apparatuses for stereoscopic virtual reality (VR) struggle with maintaining optimal parallax for three-dimensional viewing, leading to issues such as double vision when subjects are too close or flat images when subjects are too far, and existing solutions either fail to adjust parallax or only provide warnings without correcting the issue.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with dual optical systems that calculates a three-dimensional range and controls automatic focusing to ensure the subject distance is within this range, using processors to manage the optical systems and limit focusing to maintain appropriate parallax.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the distance between the optical axis of the left lens and the optical axis of the right lens is fixed, then the device structure is simplified, but the optimal stereoscopic image cannot be obtained for all subject distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical axis distance adjustable rather than fixed. The distance between the optical axes of the left and right imaging optical systems can be changed according to the subject distance, allowing the system to adapt to different shooting scenarios and maintain optimal stereoscopic image quality across various distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of optical axis distance dynamically. By adjusting this parameter based on subject distance measurements, the system optimizes the stereoscopic effect for different shooting conditions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If the parallax is increased for closer subjects, then the stereoscopic effect is enhanced, but double vision occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system measures the subject distance, calculates the appropriate parallax range, and adjusts the optical axis distance accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the parallax remains within the comfortable viewing range, preventing double vision while maintaining the stereoscopic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the optical configuration based on real-time subject distance measurements. By making the optical axis distance variable rather than fixed, the system can optimize parallax for each shooting scenario, avoiding both excessive parallax (double vision) and insufficient parallax (flat images).
3Adaptability or versatility
If automatic focusing is performed over a wide subject distance range, then the versatility is improved, but the three-dimensional effect is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically determines the autofocus range based on the calculated three-dimensional range for the current subject distance. Rather than using a fixed wide autofocus range, the system adjusts the focusing range adaptively to match the optimal stereoscopic viewing conditions, ensuring both versatility and three-dimensional effect quality.
4Manufacturing precision
If the optical axis distance is adjusted for optimal stereoscopic effect, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control and calculation. The system uses a calculation unit to determine the optimal optical axis distance based on subject distance measurements, and then uses electronic actuators to position the imaging optical systems, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining image quality.
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
Ensures optimal three-dimensional imaging by automatically adjusting focus to maintain appropriate parallax, preventing double vision and ensuring stereoscopic effect across varying distances.
Implementation Method 1
an image capturing device configured to photoelectrically convert a first optical image formed by a first imaging optical system to output a first image
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing device configured to photoelectrically convert a first optical image formed by a first imaging optical system, and configured to also photoelectrically convert a second optical image formed by a second imaging optical system arranged in parallel with the first optical system, a calculating unit configured to calculate a three-dimensional range, which is a range of a subject distance of the image capturing device in which a three-dimensional image looks three-dimensional, and a control unit configured to control the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system to limit a range of a subject distance in which automatic focusing of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system is performed to within the three-dimensional range and perform automatic focusing.