Switchable Optical Filter for 3D Camera Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unified sensing architectures for 3D cameras face challenges in preventing infrared rays from affecting color image quality and visible light from degrading depth image accuracy, as they require same pixels to sense both color and depth information, necessitating different filter configurations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a dual-filter unit system with a first filter unit for visible light and a second filter unit for infrared, allowing operation in distinct modes to isolate light bands for color and depth image capture, with the filters sharing a rotation axis or being fixed, ensuring that only relevant light reaches the sensor for each image type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a unified sensor uses the same pixels to sense both color information and depth information, then the device complexity is reduced, but color information quality deteriorates due to infrared interference and depth information quality deteriorates due to visible light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the filter configuration changeable over time. A switchable filter is introduced that can dynamically adjust its transmission characteristics based on the operating mode (color imaging or depth imaging). This allows the same pixel to be used for both color and depth sensing at different times, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the optical filtering parameters. The filter's transmission characteristics are changed according to the imaging mode: in color imaging mode, the filter blocks infrared wavelengths while transmitting visible light; in depth imaging mode, the filter allows infrared transmission while blocking visible light. This parameter adjustment enables high-quality sensing in both modes using the same sensor pixels.
2Device complexity
If a unified sensor uses the same pixels to sense both color information and depth information, then the device complexity is reduced, but the same pixel cannot effectively separate different wavelength bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the filter configuration changeable over time. A switchable filter is introduced that can dynamically adjust its transmission characteristics based on the operating mode (color imaging or depth imaging). This allows the same pixel to be used for both color and depth sensing at different times, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single sensor pixel that can perform multiple functions through the use of a switchable filter. The same pixel structure is used for both color imaging and depth imaging applications, with the filter adapting its characteristics to suit the required function. This multi-functional approach maintains device simplicity while achieving the versatility needed for different imaging modes.
3Quantity of substance
If infrared rays are not blocked in color imaging mode, then the sensor can capture all light information, but color image quality deteriorates due to infrared interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the optical filtering parameters. The filter's transmission characteristics are changed according to the imaging mode: in color imaging mode, the filter blocks infrared wavelengths while transmitting visible light; in depth imaging mode, the filter allows infrared transmission while blocking visible light. This parameter adjustment enables high-quality sensing in both modes using the same sensor pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively removing the harmful infrared component from the light reaching the sensor during color imaging. The switchable filter extracts and blocks the infrared wavelengths that would otherwise interfere with color accuracy, while still allowing the sensor to capture sufficient visible light information for high-quality color images.
4Quantity of substance
If visible light is not blocked in depth imaging mode, then the sensor can capture all light information, but depth image accuracy deteriorates due to visible light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the optical filtering parameters. The filter's transmission characteristics are changed according to the imaging mode: in color imaging mode, the filter blocks infrared wavelengths while transmitting visible light; in depth imaging mode, the filter allows infrared transmission while blocking visible light. This parameter adjustment enables high-quality sensing in both modes using the same sensor pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively removing the harmful visible light component from the light reaching the sensor during depth imaging. The switchable filter extracts and blocks the visible wavelengths that would otherwise interfere with depth measurement accuracy, while still allowing the sensor to capture sufficient infrared light information for accurate depth images.
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 approach prevents color deterioration from infrared and improves depth image accuracy by ensuring that only visible light is sensed for color images and only infrared is sensed for depth images, reducing noise and enhancing overall image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter unit to pass a light in a first wavelength band corresponding to visible light
Implementation Method 2
a second filter unit to pass a light in a second wavelength band corresponding to an IR
Implementation Method 3
a distance (hereinafter, referred to as 'depth') between a 3D camera and an object may be calculated using a Time of Flight (TOF) to obtain a depth image. The TOF may indicate an elapsed time between when an Infrared ray (IR) is emitted, then reflected, and finally sensed by a sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for obtaining an image. A first filter unit of the apparatus of obtaining an image may pass a light in a first wavelength band corresponding to visible light. Also, a second filter unit may pass a light in a second wavelength band corresponding to an Infrared ray (IR). A sensor unit may sense the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band. An operating unit may operate at least one of the first filter unit and the second filter unit.