Stereo Camera Using Hyperboloidal Mirrors and Single Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereo cameras for autonomous vehicles require two image sensors separated by a parallax, leading to increased size and cost, making it difficult to achieve high-accuracy, wide-angle sensing in a compact form.
Innovation Solution
A stereo camera design utilizing a pair of hyperboloidal mirrors with fan-shaped reflecting surfaces and a single image sensor, where the mirrors are positioned to reflect light in a way that allows the image sensor to receive images from different directions, enabling accurate distance measurement with a single sensor and reducing size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two image sensors are separated by an interval corresponding to a parallax, then stereo sensing capability is achieved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary optical element that divides incoming light into two separate optical paths, allowing a single image sensor to capture stereo images. The beam splitter acts as a mediator that creates virtual separation of optical paths without requiring physical separation of sensors, thus achieving stereo capability while maintaining compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved mirrors (hyperboloidal or paraboloidal) to fold and redirect light paths in three-dimensional space, creating multiple optical paths from a single direction. This dimensional manipulation allows the system to achieve the functional equivalent of sensor separation without increasing the physical footprint of the device.
2Measurement precision
If two image sensors are separated by an interval corresponding to a parallax, then stereo sensing capability is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of two separate image sensors into a single image sensor by using a beam splitter to divide the incoming light. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and calibrated, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining stereo sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter serves as a cost-effective intermediary that enables stereo imaging with a single sensor, avoiding the need to manufacture and integrate two separate sensor assemblies. This approach simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wide sensing angle is achieved by separating sensors, then wide-angle coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved mirrors (hyperboloidal or paraboloidal surfaces) to expand the field of view and achieve wide-angle coverage. The curved surfaces naturally diverge light rays from different directions, allowing a single sensor to capture a wider angular range without requiring multiple separated sensors, thus maintaining simplicity while improving adaptability.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact stereo camera is designed with a single sensor, then size is reduced, but achieving high measurement precision becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter acts as a precise intermediary that accurately divides the incoming light into two distinct optical paths with well-defined geometric relationships. This precise optical division, combined with the known geometry of the curved mirrors, enables accurate stereo measurement calculations even with a compact single-sensor design, maintaining high measurement precision while reducing device size.
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
The design achieves high-accuracy, wide-angle sensing with a compact form factor, improving resolution and reducing the need for multiple sensors, thus enhancing the capability for autonomous vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
The first light is emitted from an object, reflected by the first reflecting surface, and subsequently further reflected by the second reflecting surface. The second light is emitted from the object and reflected by the second reflecting surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A first mirror has a first reflecting surface convexed in a first direction, a first apex, and a first fan shape. A second mirror has a second reflecting surface convexed in a second direction, a second apex, and a second fan shape. An imaging optical system forms images from a first light emitted from an object, reflected by the first reflecting surface, and subsequently further reflected by the second reflecting surface, and a second light emitted from the object and reflected by the second reflecting surface. The first and second fan shapes have interior angles of 180° or more. A center position of the image sensor is displaced with respect to an optical axis of the imaging optical system. A short side of a photo-receiving surface of the image sensor and a center line of the image of the first or second fan shape are approximately parallel.