Two-parallel-channel reflector with focal length and disparity control

• US 9,019,603 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2012
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amchaelvisual Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Amchael Visual Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Cheng, Fuhua
• Primary Examiner(s): Chwasz, Jade R
• Application Number:
  US13/427,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20130250410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 359/466
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/143 using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
• 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 13/236 using varifocal lenses or mirrors

Abstract

A two-parallel-channel reflector (TPCR) with focal length and disparity control is provided. The TPCR is connected to an imaging device, so that an image of a scene is captured to generate a stereoscopic image. The TPCR has two parallel channels that allow the imaging device to generate a left side view image and a right side view image of the shot scene synchronously. Each parallel channel includes an outward reflecting unit and an inward reflecting unit, which are designed to ensure that light rays in the parallel channels are reflected in a collimated and parallel manner. During imaging, a position and an angle of the outward reflecting unit can be adjusted to fulfill the function of controlling the disparity and the focal length.

Claims

1. A two-parallel-channel reflector (TPCR) with focal length and disparity control, assembled on an imaging device, so that the imaging device is capable of synchronously capturing a left side view image and a right side view image of a scene, the TPCR comprising:

a left side imaging channel, constructed by a left side image inlet, a left side outward reflecting unit formed by a curved reflecting mirror, and a left side inward reflecting unit formed by a flat reflecting mirror, wherein an end of the left side imaging channel is connected to a central image inlet;

a right side imaging channel, constructed by a right side image inlet, a right side outward reflecting unit formed by a curved reflecting mirror, and a right side inward reflecting unit formed by a flat reflecting mirror, wherein an end of the right side imaging channel is connected to the central image inlet; and

a convex lens, assembled in the central image inlet;

wherein the left side and the right side imaging channels are configured whereby the left side view image enters from the left side image inlet, arrives at the left side outward reflecting unit, is reflected in parallel to the left side inward reflecting unit, is reflected by the left side inward reflecting unit, passes through the convex lens, and enters the imaging device through the central image inlet, the right side view image enters from the right side image inlet, arrives at the right side outward reflecting unit, is reflected in parallel to the right side inward reflecting unit, is reflected by the right side inward reflecting unit, passes through the convex lens, and enters the imaging device through the central image inlet; and

further wherein a parallel reflection path is defined for each of the left side view and right side view images reflected from the left side and right side outward reflecting units to the left side and right side inward reflecting units.

2. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device has an imaging module.

3. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 2, wherein the imaging module is a charge-coupled device (CCD).

4. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 2, wherein the imaging module is a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS).

5. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 1, wherein the left side outward reflecting unit has a movable adjustment mechanism, so that a distance between the left side outward reflecting unit and the left side inward reflecting unit is adjustable.

6. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 5, wherein the movable adjustment mechanism is of a mechanical type, an electronic type, or a combination thereof.

7. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 5, wherein the movable adjustment mechanism is actuated by a first control device.

8. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 1, wherein the right side outward reflecting unit has a movable adjustment mechanism, so that a distance between the right side outward reflecting unit and the right side inward reflecting unit is adjustable.

9. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 8, wherein the movable adjustment mechanism is of a mechanical type, an electronic type, or a combination thereof.

10. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 8, wherein the movable adjustment mechanism is actuated by a first control device.

11. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 1, wherein an angle is formed between the left side outward reflecting unit and the central image inlet, the left side outward reflecting unit is assembled with a rotation shaft, so that the left side outward reflecting unit is capable of deflecting around the rotation shaft as a center to change a degree of the angle.

12. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 11, wherein the rotation shaft is actuated by a second control device.

13. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 12, wherein the second control device is a mechanical control device, an electronic control device, or a combination thereof, for actuating the rotation shaft to rotate.

14. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 1, wherein an angle is formed between the right side outward reflecting unit and the central image inlet, the right side outward reflecting unit is assembled with a rotation shaft so that the right side outward reflecting unit is capable of deflecting around the rotation shaft as a center to change a degree of the angle.

15. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 14, wherein the rotation shaft is actuated by a second control device.

16. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 15, wherein the second control device is a mechanical control device, an electronic control device, or a combination thereof for actuating the rotation shaft to rotate.

17. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 1, wherein the right side outward reflecting unit formed by the curved reflecting mirror and the left side outward reflecting unit formed by the curved reflecting mirror are replaceable with flat reflecting mirrors respectively, and a concave lens is assembled in front of each of the left side and right side outward flat reflecting mirrors.

18. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 17, wherein each of the flat reflecting mirrors has a movable adjustment mechanism, so that a distance between each of the flat reflecting mirrors and each of the inward reflecting units is adjustable.

19. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 17, wherein the left side inward reflecting unit formed by the flat reflecting mirror and the right side inward reflecting unit formed by the flat reflecting mirror are replaceable with curved reflecting mirrors respectively.

20. The TPCR with focal length and disparity control according to claim 19, wherein each of the outward flat reflecting mirrors has a movable adjustment mechanism, so that a distance between each of the outward flat reflecting mirrors and each of the inward reflecting units is adjustable.