Multi-Channel Optical Image Fetching Apparatus

• US 20120154621A1
• Filed: 11/28/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology Armaments Bureau MND (Government of The Republic of China)
• Inventors: Kuo, Chih-Wei, Han, Chien-Yuan, Jian, Er-Liang, Lo, Min-Fang
• Granted Patent: US 8,462,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/283 used for beam splitting or combining

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for fetching optical images. Images from multiple channels are obtained. A device is used to automatically switch the images. The switching is based on time-sharing multiplexing (TSM). Thus, the images are formed on another device. The images are then integrated and displayed to be used in an optical vehicle safety assistant system.

Claims

1. A multi-channel optical image fetching apparatus, comprising

a first optical polarizer, said first optical polarizer processing horizontal polarization, said first optical polarizer being located at an opening of an optical channel;

a second optical polarizer, said second optical polarizer processing perpendicular polarization, said second optical polarizer being located at an opening of another optical channel;

an optical imaging lens set, said optical imaging lens set processing optical transformation according to a scale of a visual angle;

a polarized lights splitter, said polarized lights splitter being located at an end of said optical imaging lens set, said polarized lights splitter being an optical logic switch to control output directions of a plurality of inlet lights;

at least two optical birefractive polarization transformers, said optical birefractive polarization transformers being separately located between said polarized lights splitter and said first and said second optical polarizers, said optical birefractive polarization transformers processing polar transformation to said inlet lights through controlling voltage;

a programmable time sequence controller, said programmable time sequence controller controlling operational times of said optical birefractive polarization transformers according to time sequence to switch images obtained from said optical channels; and

an image fetching unit, said image fetching unit fetching images obtained from different visual angles to be formed on a sensing unit according to time sequence, said image fetching unit showing said images obtained from said different visual angles.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said first optical polarizer processes horizontal polarization to transform said inlet light into a horizontal linear polarized light.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said second optical polarizer processes perpendicular polarization to transform said inlet light into a perpendicular linear polarized light.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said optical birefractive polarization transformer is a crystal device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said optical birefractive polarization transformer switches images automatically by controlling time sequence with voltage.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5,

wherein said optical birefractive polarization transformer has a voltage controller.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said polarized lights splitter splits said inlet lights by changing polarized states of said inlet lights.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said image fetching unit comprises an image taking device, an image processing device and an image displaying device

9. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said image fetching unit has an array of sensing units.