Variable Focal Length Stereo Vision Sensors for Ambient Light Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional imaging systems face challenges in maintaining image quality due to contamination from ambient light, particularly in brightly illuminated environments, which affects the accuracy of distance and position measurements of objects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adjustable optics in both illuminators and imaging sensors, allowing for variable fields of illumination and view, enables the system to adapt to different distances and lighting conditions by altering the focal length and angular resolution, thereby enhancing imaging accuracy and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ambient light is blocked to improve imaging quality, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the field of view angle and illumination angle of the imaging system. By changing these optical parameters, the system can selectively capture reflected light from specific directions while excluding ambient light from other directions, thereby improving depth measurement accuracy without requiring complex physical light blocking structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the field of view angle and illumination angle adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the system to adaptively optimize its light reception characteristics for different measurement scenarios, enabling it to exclude ambient light when needed while maintaining measurement precision
2Illumination intensity
If field of view is widened to capture more light, then illumination intensity improves, but angular resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by independently controlling the field of view angle and illumination angle parameters. This allows the system to optimize the balance between capturing sufficient reflected light intensity and maintaining adequate angular resolution by adjusting these parameters according to measurement distance and lighting conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If measurement range is extended to long distances, then imaging versatility improves, but light intensity from target decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the field of view angle and illumination angle based on measurement distance. For long-distance measurements, the system narrows these angles to concentrate illumination intensity on distant targets, thereby extending the effective imaging range while compensating for the natural decrease in reflected light intensity
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 solution improves the accuracy and range of 3D imaging by increasing illumination concentration and angular resolution, allowing for effective imaging in both close-range and long-range applications, even in high-ambient-light environments, and reduces errors associated with multipath interference.
Implementation Method 1
Each imaging sensor having one or more movable imaging lenses positioned proximate an input of the imaging sensor, the one or more movable imaging lenses configured to vary a field of view of the imaging sensor
Implementation Method 2
Each imaging sensor also includes a bandpass filter positioned proximate the input of the imaging sensor
Implementation Method 3
Other imaging systems (e.g., structured light systems) measure the distortion or displacement of light patterns to measure the shapes, surfaces and distances of the target objects
Implementation Method 4
a photoreceptor to receive the light after it is reflected back from the target
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic 3D imaging system includes multiple imaging sensors with adjustable optics. The adjustable optics are variable to alter the FOV of each of the multiple imaging sensors to improve angular resolution of the imaging system.