Stereo Camera Emulating Prime Lenses via Synchronized Zoom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stereographic camera systems using prime lenses require matched pairs for each focal length, which can cause distortions and obscure the desired depth impression due to differences in focal length, centration, or other lens characteristics, making it challenging to achieve accurate 3D imaging.

Innovation Solution

A stereographic camera system with adjustable interocular distance, convergence angle, and synchronized focus and zoom mechanisms, allowing for the emulation of multiple prime lens focal lengths and integration with computer-generated images, ensuring identical performance across predetermined focal lengths to minimize distortion and enhance depth perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If matched pairs of prime lenses are used for each focal length in stereographic camera systems, then lens compatibility and control system standardization are improved, but image distortion and depth perception accuracy deteriorate due to differences in focal length, centration, and other lens characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens compatibility and control system standardizationVSAvoiddepth perception accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of lens selection from using multiple matched prime lenses to using a single zoom lens with variable focal length. This parameter change eliminates the need for lens matching while maintaining depth perception accuracy through electronic control of focal length and camera convergence angle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The zoom lens serves multiple functions that previously required multiple specialized prime lenses. A single zoom lens can provide various focal lengths (e.g., 12mm to 300mm) that would otherwise require multiple matched prime lenses, simplifying the lens system while maintaining stereographic imaging capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the interocular distance is increased to enhance apparent depth, then depth perception is improved, but image distortion and excessive disparity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparent depthVSAvoidimage distortion and excessive disparity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the interocular distance dynamic rather than fixed. The controller can adjust the effective interocular distance based on the focal length setting and desired depth effect, allowing optimization of depth perception while minimizing distortion for different shooting scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control to adjust the convergence angle and interocular distance based on the selected focal length and desired depth effect. The controller monitors image disparity and adjusts parameters to maintain optimal depth perception without excessive distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the convergence angle is adjusted to improve depth perception, then stereographic effect is enhanced, but image alignment and focus accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth perceptionVSAvoidimage alignment and focus accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment of convergence angle with electronic control. The controller electronically adjusts the convergence angle based on focal length settings, eliminating mechanical alignment errors and ensuring precise coordination between the two cameras while maintaining focus accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8319938B2Stereo camera with emulated prime lens set

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 CAMERON JAMES

AI summary

There is disclosed a stereographic camera system including a first camera and a second camera including respective first and second lenses. A zoom mechanism may synchronously set focal lengths of the first and second lenses to a selected focal length of a plurality of predetermined focal lengths.