Stereoscopic Optical System Parallel Image Circles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic optical systems for imaging with parallel left and right optical systems, such as those using fisheye lenses, face challenges in achieving high image quality due to reduced pixel count and stray light interference, which limits the image quality and field of view.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic optical system with two parallel optical systems, each having a field stop to reduce light in inner peripheral areas and an angle of view that allows image formation in outer peripheral areas, with the distance between image circles' centers being shorter than the image circle diameter, and field stops positioned to prevent stray light interference, maximizing the viewing image-circle area on a single image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the image circle of each optical system is made smaller to accommodate both left and right image circles within a single image sensor, then the device complexity is reduced and a single sensor can be used, but the number of pixels in the acquired image is reduced and image quality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor surface is segmented into multiple independent image circles, each corresponding to one optical system. The left and right image circles are positioned as separate regions on the same sensor, allowing each to maintain its full size and pixel count while still being captured by a single sensor. This resolves the contradiction by dividing the sensor usage into distinct functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reducing the size of image circles in one dimension, the solution arranges multiple image circles in a two-dimensional layout on the sensor surface. The left and right image circles are positioned side-by-side or in adjacent regions, utilizing the sensor's area efficiently without compromising the diameter or resolution of individual circles.
2Area of moving object
If each of the left and right optical systems includes a fisheye lens with wide angle of view, then the field of view is increased, but stray light generated in one optical system is reflected into the image circle of the other optical system and image quality is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful stray light is extracted and removed from the optical path using dedicated blocking structures. Field stops and blackening treatments are positioned to intercept and eliminate stray light before it can enter the other optical system's image circle, while preserving the full wide-angle field of view for legitimate light paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Field stops and optical barriers serve as intermediary elements between the two optical systems. These intermediaries selectively block stray light paths while allowing desired light to pass through, mediating the interaction between the two wide-angle optical systems and preventing harmful cross-contamination.
3Device complexity
If the distance between optical axes at image-side portions is narrowed to accommodate image circles in a single sensor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the viewing image-circle area is reduced and image quality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is configured with different characteristics in different regions. The field stops and image circle positions are locally optimized to maximize the viewing area within each optical system's image circle, while the overall arrangement accommodates both systems on a single sensor. Each image circle maintains its full quality and size independently.
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
This configuration enhances image quality by increasing the number of pixels in the viewing image areas and reducing stray light interference, allowing for high-quality stereoscopic imaging with a wider field of view.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the two optical systems includes a field stop configured to reduce a light amount in a second area at an inner peripheral portion of the image circle in the parallel arrangement direction
Implementation Method 2
a first lens unit (L1), a second lens unit (L2), and a third lens unit (L3) in this order from the object side to the image side
Data Source
AI summary
An stereoscopic optical system includes two parallel optical systems arranged in parallel for a single common image sensor. Each optical system has an angle of view in which an image of another optical system is formed in a first area at an outer peripheral portion in an image circle, and includes a field stop in a second area at an inner peripheral portion in the image circle. A distance between centers of the image circles of the two optical systems is shorter than a diameter of each image circle on the image sensor, and at least part of each first area is located outside the image sensor.