Two-channel reflector based single-lens 2D/3D camera with disparity and convergence angle control

• US 9,557,634 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2013
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amchaelvisual Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Amchael Visual Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Cheng, Kai Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Philippe, Gims
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shahnami, Amir
• Application Number:
  US13/921,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20140009581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 Days
• Field of Search: 348/49
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/565 Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/10 having single camera with stereoscopic-base-defining system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/207 using a single 2D image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/211 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/218 using spatial multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0081 Depth or disparity estimation from stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Abstract

A single-lens two-channel reflector provides the capability to switch between two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging. The reflector includes displaceable outward reflectors and displaceable inward reflectors that can simultaneously provide left and right images of a scene to an imager, and controllers for controlling relative distance between the outward and the inward reflectors, and for controlling deflection angle of the inward reflectors, so as to enable the adjustment of disparity and convergence angle. Imaging systems and methods utilize the single-lens two-channel reflector.

Claims

1. A single lens two-channel reflector providing disparity and convergence angle adjustability for two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging, comprising:

a reflector arrangement defining a left imaging channel and a right imaging channel, each said left and right imaging channel being defined by a displaceable outward reflector that is laterally translatable in its entirety and a displaceable inward reflector;

a first controller for translating each displaceable outward reflector in opposed directions to increase a distance defined between each said displaceable outward reflector and each said displaceable inward reflector; and

a second controller for pivoting each displaceable inward reflector to alter a deflection angle of light impinging on said each displaceable inward reflector;

each said displaceable outward reflector and each said displaceable inward reflector being manipulable by said first controller and second controller to provide corresponding left and right views of a scene respectively via the left and right imaging channels to an imager for comparison to define a disparity between said left and right views, to further allow calculating a depth of objects shown in the scene from said disparity to provide a three-dimensional rendering of the scene.

2. The single lens two-channel reflector of claim 1, further including a housing defining left, central, and right imaging inlets and an imaging outlet.

3. The single lens two-channel reflector of claim 2, wherein the first controller is an idler unit operatively contacting each said displaceable outward reflector for simultaneously translating each said displaceable outward reflector in opposed directions.

4. The single lens two-channel reflector of claim 3, further including at least one biasing element disposed between the housing and each said displaceable outward reflector for returning each said displaceable outward reflector to an original position.

5. The single lens two-channel reflector of claim 2, further including a lens disposed at the imaging outlet.

6. The single lens two-channel reflector of claim 5, further including an adaptor for operatively connecting the single-lens two-channel reflector to an imager.

7. A single lens two-channel reflector-based imaging system providing disparity and convergence angle adjustability, comprising:

a reflector arrangement defining a left imaging channel and a right imaging channel, each said left and right imaging channel being defined by a displaceable outward reflector that is laterally translatable in its entirety and a displaceable inward reflector;

a first controller for translating each displaceable outward reflector in opposed directions to increase a distance defined between each said displaceable outward reflector and each said displaceable inward reflector;

a second controller for pivoting each displaceable inward reflector to alter a defined deflection angle of light impinging on said each displaceable inward reflector;

a housing defining left, central, and right imaging inlets and an imaging outlet; and

an imager operatively connected to the housing imaging outlet;

each said displaceable outward reflector and each said displaceable inward reflector being manipulable by said first controller and second controller to provide corresponding left and right views of a scene respectively via the left and right imaging channels to the imager for comparison to define a disparity between said left and right views, to further allow calculating a depth of objects shown in the scene from said disparity to provide a three-dimensional rendering of the scene.

8. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein the first controller is an idler unit operatively contacting each said displaceable outward reflector for simultaneously translating each said displaceable outward reflector in opposed directions.

9. The imaging system of claim 8, further including at least one biasing element disposed between the housing and each said displaceable outward reflector for returning each said displaceable outward reflector to an original position.

10. The imaging system of claim 7, further including a lens disposed at the imaging outlet.

11. A method for obtaining two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images of a scene from a single imager, comprising:

providing a single lens two-channel reflector-based imaging system according to claim 9; and

manipulating each said displaceable outward reflector and said displaceable inward reflector to provide one of a single view or a left and a right view of the scene to the imager.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising pivoting each said displaceable inward reflector to define a single imaging channel between the scene and the imaging outlet and to provide a single view of the scene to the imager.

13. The method of claim 12, further including displacing each said displaceable inward reflector to contact an edge of each said displaceable inward reflector to said imaging outlet to define the single imaging channel.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising manipulating each said displaceable outward reflector and each said displaceable inward reflector to define a left imaging channel and a right imaging channel thereby providing corresponding left and right views of the scene to the imager;

comparing said left and right views of the scene to define a disparity between said views; and

calculating a depth of objects shown in the scene from said disparity to provide a three-dimensional rendering of the scene.

15. The method of claim 14, further including translating each said displaceable outward reflector to increase a distance defined between each said displaceable outward reflector and each said displaceable inward reflector to alter an intraocular distance between a first virtual camera and a second virtual camera defined by the left and right imaging channel.

16. The method of claim 14, further including pivoting each said displaceable inward reflector to alter a defined deflection angle of light impinging on said each displaceable inward reflector.