Stereo Camera Interocular Distance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic imaging technologies face challenges in maintaining optimal interocular distance and convergence angle, which affect the apparent depth of stereographic images, and the maximum allowable disparity must be limited to ensure a convincing three-dimensional illusion, as it varies among viewers and is dependent on image content.
Innovation Solution
A stereographic camera system with adjustable interocular distance and convergence angle, controlled by a controller that synchronously adjusts the focus and focal length of the left and right cameras, using formulas to calculate optimal settings based on the distance to objects and maximum allowable disparity, ensuring the disparity remains within viewer-dependent limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the interocular distance is increased to enhance the apparent depth of stereographic images, then the three-dimensional effect is improved, but the disparity between left and right images increases beyond the viewer's accommodation limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the interocular distance based on the distance to the subject being photographed. The system automatically modifies the separation between left and right camera lenses according to real-time distance measurements, ensuring optimal disparity levels for different shooting scenarios while maintaining convincing three-dimensional illusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interocular distance parameter adaptively rather than using a fixed value. By calculating the optimal interocular distance based on subject distance and desired convergence angle, the system adjusts this critical parameter to maintain disparity within viewer accommodation limits while maximizing apparent depth effect.
2Ease of operation
If the convergence angle is adjusted to match the viewer's eyes for optimal three-dimensional perception, then the viewing comfort is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for real-time calculation and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically calculating and modifying the convergence angle based on measured subject distance. The controller autonomously determines the optimal convergence angle and synchronously adjusts camera parameters without requiring manual intervention, making the complex adjustments transparent to the user while ensuring optimal viewing comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from distance measurement (via range finder or other sensing) to continuously adjust the convergence angle. This closed-loop control ensures the convergence angle remains optimized for the current subject distance, maintaining natural three-dimensional perception while automating the complex adjustment process.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed interocular distance of 65mm is used as in traditional stereoscopic cameras, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability to different viewing conditions and image content is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static interocular distance of traditional cameras into a dynamic, adjustable parameter. The system can modify the effective interocular distance based on subject distance, desired convergence angle, and disparity constraints, providing adaptability to different viewing conditions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A stereographic camera system and method of operating a stereographic camera system are disclosed. The stereographic camera system may include a left camera and a right camera including respective lenses having a focal length and a focus distance, an interocular distance mechanism to set an intraocular distance between the left and right cameras, and a controller. The controller may receive inputs indicating the focal length and the focus distance of the lenses. The controller may control the intraocular distance mechanism, based on the focal length and focus distance of the lenses and one or both of a distance to a nearest foreground object and a distance to a furthest background object, to automatically set the interocular distance such that a maximum disparity of a stereographic image captured by the left and right cameras does not exceed a predetermined maximum disparity.