TWI486633B - Adapter apparatus and method for generating three-dimensional image information - Google Patents

Description

Adapter device and method for generating three-dimensional image information

The present invention is generally directed to generating three-dimensional image information, and more particularly to an adapter for generating three-dimensional image information in response to receipt of light captured by an imaging lens having a single imaging path.

In a conventional two-dimensional (2D) imaging, light rays representing objects in a three-dimensional (3D) scene are captured and mapped to a two-dimensional image plane, while depth is not recorded. A stereoscopic optical system is capable of generating an image representative of image information by generating separate images from different perspective points. The depth information can be used, for example, to generate three-dimensional measurements between a plurality of points of the scene. Alternatively, the respective image systems can be presented to respective users' right and left eyes to simulate the operation of the naked eye to view an actual scene and allow the user to perceive the depth of the rendered image. The separated or stereoscopic image is produced substantially by an optical system having a pair of spatially separated imaging paths or by using different portions of a single imaging path to produce images having different perspective points. The images are then rendered using glasses that selectively allow individual images to reach the respective left and right eyes of the user. Alternatively, a special display can be configured to project spatially separated images onto the respective left and right eyes of the user.

The use of stereoscopic imaging has found application in the surgical field, where a three-dimensional endoscopic system can be used to provide a three-dimensional view to the physician. Stereoscopic imaging can also be used for remote operations such as, for example, subsea exploration, where the control of a mechanical actuator is accelerated by providing three dimensional image information to an operator remote from the actuator. Other applications of stereoscopic imaging can be found in physical measurement systems and the entertainment industry.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an adapter for generating three-dimensional image information at an image plane of an image recorder in response to receiving light captured by an imaging lens having a single imaging path of an associated field of view is disclosed. device. The adapter device includes a housing having a first interface for mounting to the image recorder and a second interface for mounting the imaging lens. The adapter device also includes a first relay lens for imaging the exit pupil of one of the imaging lenses to a position of an aperture plane in the housing; an image modulator located in the housing Position of or near the aperture plane, and operatively configured to selectively allow light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed to the imaging plane; and a second relay lens, For forming a corresponding first image and second image at the image plane. The first image and the second image are operative together to present a three-dimensional spatial property of the plurality of objects within the field of view of the imaging lens.

The first relay lens system can include a plurality of lenses.

The first relay lens system can further include a lens group operatively configured to cause light captured by the imaging lens to be formatted for the adapter.

The lens group includes at least one movable lens element.

The image modulator is operatively configured to selectively transmit light from respective first and second portions of the single imaging path.

The image modulator is operatively configured to selectively transmit light by alternately performing: blocking the first portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to be received through the second portion of the single imaging path, And blocking the second portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to be received through the first portion of the single imaging path.

The image modulator system can include a blocker disposed in the single imaging path and operatively configured to move between the first position and the second position.

The image modulator can include an optical component having first and second regions, wherein the first and second regions are operatively configured to be selectively actuated to block the first imaging path Part and second part.

The image modulator can include an optical element having a plurality of individually actuated elements, and the first region and the second region can comprise a first group of the plurality of elements that are selectively actuated And the second group.

The image modulator is operatively configured to selectively vary a consistent dynamic of the plurality of components such that the image modulator reduces light transmission through each of the first region and the second region .

The image modulator is operatively configured to selectively change a polarization state of light from at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path.

The image modulator is operatively configured to selectively transmit light from respective first and second portions of the single imaging path in response to a synchronization signal.

The second relay lens system can include a plurality of lenses.

The second relay lens system can further include a lens group operatively configured to generate an image having a format at the image plane, wherein the format is correspondingly arranged to record the image plane One of the image recorders of the image format.

The lens group includes at least one movable lens element.

The image modulator is operatively configured to generate an electrical signal representative of the first image and the second image formed at the image plane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for generating three-dimensional image information at an image plane of an image recorder in response to receiving light captured by an imaging lens having a single imaging path having an associated field of view is disclosed. method. The method involves imaging an exit pupil of one of the imaging lenses to a position in an aperture plane of a housing having a first interface for mounting to the image recorder and mounting the imaging lens A second interface. The method also involves causing a position of the aperture plane located within or adjacent the aperture to selectively permit light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed to the imaging plane. The method further involves forming a corresponding first image and second image at the image plane. The first image and the second image are operative together to present a three-dimensional spatial property of the plurality of objects within the field of view of the imaging lens.

Imaging the exit pupil system can involve arranging a first relay lens within the housing to image the exit pupil to a position of the aperture plane.

Arranging the first relay lens system may involve arranging a lens group such that light captured by the imaging lens is formatted for receipt by the first relay lens.

Arranging the first relay lens system may involve arranging at least one movable lens element within the housing.

Enabling the image modulator to selectively direct light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to the imaging plane system may involve causing the image modulator to selectively transmit individual images from the single imaging path Part and the second part of the light.

Enabling the image modulator to selectively transmit the light system may involve alternately performing an action of blocking the first portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to be received through the second portion of the single imaging path, and blocking the single imaging path The second portion simultaneously allows light to be received through the first portion of the single imaging path.

Interchanging the first and second portions of the single imaging path may involve causing a blocker disposed in the single imaging path to move between the first position and the second position.

Interchanging the first and second portions of the single imaging path may involve selectively actuating the first and second regions of an optical element to selectively block the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path.

The image modulator can include a plurality of elements, and alternating the first and second portions of the single imaging path can involve selectively actuating elements in the first region and the second region to select The first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path are blocked.

The method can involve selectively varying a consistent dynamic of the plurality of components such that the image modulator reduces light transmission through each of the first region and the second region.

Enabling the image modulator to selectively direct light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to the imaging plane system can involve causing the image modulator to selectively vary from the first portion of the single imaging path and A polarization state of one of the rays of at least one of the second portions.

Enabling the image modulator to selectively direct light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to the imaging plane may be related to causing the image modulator to selectively transmit from the single image in response to a synchronization signal The light of the first and second parts of the path.

Forming a corresponding first image and second image system at the image plane may involve arranging a second relay lens in the housing to form a corresponding first image and second image at the image plane.

Arranging the second relay lens system may involve arranging a plurality of lenses to form corresponding first and second images at the image plane.

Arranging the second relay lens system can involve arranging at least one movable lens element within the housing and positioning the at least one movable lens element to cause a corresponding first image and second image to form at the imaging plane.

Forming a corresponding first image and second image system at the image plane may involve further arranging at least one movable focusing lens within the housing, and positioning the focusing element to focus on a corresponding first image at the imaging plane And the second image.

Forming the corresponding first image and the second image system at the image plane may involve forming the first image and the second image at an image sensor, the image sensor being operable to generate the image The electrical signal of the first image and the second image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for generating three-dimensional image information at an image plane of an image recorder in response to receiving light captured by an imaging lens having a single imaging path having an associated field of view is disclosed. Adapter device. The adapter device includes a housing having a first interface for mounting to the image recorder and a second interface for mounting the imaging lens. The adapter device also includes a position ready to image the exit pupil of one of the imaging lenses to an aperture plane within the housing, and is ready to selectively allow light from the respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed The imaging plane is prepared for selective action at or near the aperture plane within the housing. The adapter device further includes a first image and a second image to be formed at the image plane, the first image and the second image being operative to present three dimensions of the plurality of objects within the field of view of the imaging lens Space attribute.

Preparing to image the exit pupil can include at least one movable lens element within the housing, and the positioning of the at least one movable lens element is such that the exit pupil is imaged to the position of the aperture plane.

Preparing for selectively allowing light to be directed to the imaging plane can include preparing to selectively transmit light from respective first and second portions of the single imaging path.

Preparing the selectively transmitted light system can include preparing to alternately allow light to be received through the second portion of the single imaging path while blocking the first portion of the single imaging path, and to block the second of the single imaging path Part of the time allows light to be received through the first portion of the single imaging path.

Preparing to alternately block the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path can include preparing to cause a blocker disposed in the single imaging path to move between the first position and the second position.

The first portion and the second portion that are prepared to alternately block the single imaging path can include an optical component operatively configured to selectively block the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path.

Preparing to cause the image modulator to selectively direct light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to the imaging plane system can include preparing to cause the image modulator to selectively change from the single imaging path A polarization state of one of the light of at least one of the portion and the second portion.

Forming a corresponding first image and second image system at the image plane to include at least one movable lens element within the housing, and preparing to position the at least one movable lens element to cause corresponding formation at the image plane The first image and the second image.

Preparing to form a corresponding first image and second image system at the image plane may further include corresponding first and second images to be focused at the imaging plane.

The adapter device can include an electrical signal ready to be generated to represent the first image and the second image formed at the image plane.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the <RTIgt;

Referring to Figure 1, an imaging system is generally shown as 100. The imaging system 100 includes an image recorder 102 and an imaging lens 104. The imaging lens 104 is a single imaging path with an associated field of view. The imaging system 100 also includes an adapter device 108 for generating a three-dimensional video image at an image plane 106 of the image recorder 102 in response to receiving light captured by the imaging lens 104.

The adapter 108 includes a housing 110 having a first interface 112 for mounting to the image recorder 102 and a second interface 114 for mounting the imaging lens 104. The adapter 108 also includes a first relay lens 116 for imaging an exit pupil of the imaging lens 104 to an aperture plane position 118. The adapter 108 further includes an image modulator 120 located at or near the aperture plane location 118 within the housing 110. The image modulator 120 is operatively configured to selectively allow light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed to the imaging plane 106.

The adapter 108 also includes a second relay lens 122 for forming a corresponding first image and second image on the image plane 106. The first image and the second image together comprise image material that can be processed or displayed such that a three-dimensional property of an object 132 within a field of view of the imaging lens 104 is presented.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first relay lens 116 includes a relay lens group having two individual lenses 124 and 126, and the second relay lens 122 includes two individual lenses 128 and 130. a relay lens group. In other embodiments (not shown), the first relay lens 116 and the second relay lens 122 may comprise only a single lens or a group of more than two lenses.

Referring to FIG. 1, the imaging lens 104 is generally coupled directly to the first interface 112 of the image recorder 102 in conventional two-dimensional (2D) imaging. In this embodiment, the imaging lens 104 includes a pair of Gauss lenses having a plurality of substantially symmetrical lens elements (150, located along a central axis 154 on either side of a central aperture column 156). 152). In other embodiments, however, the imaging lens 104 can be a zoom lens, a telephoto lens, an ultra wide angle lens, or any number of different lens configurations for forming an image.

The position of the exit pupil of the imaging lens 104 is shown as 158. The exit pupil of a lens is defined as the image of the aperture of the lens in the image space, i.e., the aperture field as imaged by lens element 152 to the right of aperture 156 in FIG. In this case, the image of the aperture bar 156 is a virtual image. The position and size of the exit pupil 158 can be found by tracking the path of a main beam 160 and an edge beam 162 through the lens element 152. The exit pupil 158 is located at a point where one of the projections 164 of the main beam 160 spans the central axis 154. One of the projections 166 of the edge beam 162 defines the diameter of the exit pupil. The imaging lens 104 has a single imaging path because all of the beam of light captured by the lenses is transmitted through the same plurality of lens elements 150, 152 and the image formed at the image plane 106 is provided to provide any 3D image information. .

The exit pupil 158 is isolated from the image plane 106 by a distance D that is substantially maintained within a distance to ensure proper image information at the image plane. Failure to maintain D within a range specific to the configuration of imaging lens 104 can cause image formation problems such as overfilling, underfill, or other vignetting of the image. An image recorder 102 will typically be capable of operating with a set of imaging lenses having respective exit pupil positions within a certain range. An imaging lens having an exit pupil outside of this range may not fill the image sensor 168 (ie, the generated image appears vignetting) or overfill the image sensor (ie, may exist) Sightseeing damage).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the image recorder 102 includes an image sensor 168 disposed at the image plane 106 to record the image. The image sensor 168 can be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or a CMOS active pixel device. Alternatively, the image may be recorded by any other suitable image recording medium or component such as photographic film.

The image recorder 102 also includes a controller 170 that communicates with the image sensor 168 for controlling the image recording operation of the image sensor 168. The controller 170 is also configured to control other functions in the image recorder such as focus, exposure, and aperture control. In some embodiments, the interface 112 provides electrical and/or mechanical drive coupling between the image recorder 102 and the imaging lens 104 to provide autofocus of the lenses. For example, in the dual Gauss lens configuration shown, the plurality of lens elements 150 and 152 can be coupled to a mechanical actuator (not shown) for moving the lenses along the central axis 154 to facilitate Focus.

The three-dimensional imaging system 100 of Figure 1 is shown in top view in Figure 3. Referring to FIG. 3, for three-dimensional imaging, the adapter 108 is directly coupled to the first interface 112 of the image recorder 102, and the imaging lens 104 is coupled to the second interface 114 of the adapter 108. The first relay lens 116 images the exit pupil 158 to the aperture plane position 118 (at a point where the main beam 160 spans the central axis 154). The image modulator 120 is positioned as close as possible to the aperture plane position 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture plane position 118 is pertaining to the lens element 128 of the second relay lens 122, and thus it is not possible to accurately position the image modulator 120 at the aperture plane. However, as long as the image modulator 120 is positioned at least adjacent to the aperture plane position 118, significant vignetting of the images is less likely to occur. For any particular lens configuration, an optical tolerance of the lens design can be implemented to determine an acceptable displacement of the modulator from the aperture plane position 118. It is noted in this embodiment that the image modulator 120 extends beyond the edge beam 162 such that the image modulator position is intentionally an aperture of the system.

The image modulator 120 includes an input terminal 200 for receiving a driving signal, and the driving signal is operative to cause the image modulator 120 to selectively transmit light through the first region 202 of the image modulator. And a second area 204. The image modulator 120 is described in greater detail herein.

The adapter 108 also includes a controller 206 for controlling the operation of the image modulator 120. The controller 206 can be located within the housing 110 or in a separate housing (not shown) that is coupled to the housing 110. Alternatively, the functionality of the controller 206 can be provided by the controller 170 of the image recorder 102.

The controller 206 includes an output 208 for generating a drive signal for the image modulator. The controller 206 also has an output 210 for generating a synchronization signal. The output terminal 210 is in communication with the controller 170 of the image recorder 102 for controlling the image sensor 168 to perform an image recording operation in synchronization with the actuation of the image modulator 120. Alternatively, the sync signal of an image modulator can be taken from an internal sync signal generated by the controller 170 and provided to the controller 206 via an input (not shown) for synchronization. The image modulator 120 is actuated.

The operation of the adapter 108 in generating three-dimensional image information is further described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In FIG. 4, a first ray bundle 220, which is emitted from a first point 222 of the object 132, is captured by the imaging lens 104 and illuminates the first region 202 of the image modulator 120, and is emitted from the first ray 220. A second light beam 224 of a second point 226 on the object 132 is captured by the imaging lens 104 and illuminated on the second region 204 of the image modulator 120. The first region 202 of the image modulator 120 is actuated to allow light from a first portion of the single imaging path to be transmitted through the second relay lens 122 to the image plane 106. At the same time, the second region 204 of the image modulator 120 is actuated to avoid light from a first portion of the single imaging path being transmitted. When the image modulator 120 is actuated as shown in FIG. 4, the light is thus transmitted through a first portion of the single imaging path of the imaging lens 104 (corresponding to the first region 202 of the image modulator 120), And a first image is formed at the image plane 106. When the image modulator 120 is actuated to cause the first region 202 to avoid light transmission to actuate the first region 202 for transmission, the light is transmitted through a second portion of the single imaging path of the imaging lens 104. (corresponding to the second region 204 of the image modulator 120), and a second image system is formed at the image plane 106.

Referring to FIG. 5, representative first and second images of the object 132 are generally shown as 250 and 252. Because the first portion of the single imaging path is offset from the central axis 154, the first image 250 has a perspective point from one side of the object 132 and is offset from an image center 254 toward the left. When the second region 204 of the image modulator 120 is actuated to transmit light, a second image 252 having a perspective point from the other side of the object 132 is offset from the image center 254 toward the right. When the first image 250 and the second image 252 are selectively directed to a respective user's right and left eyes, the user system will be able to view from the same three-dimensional information as when viewing the actual object. Identify three-dimensional information in the image. In one embodiment, the first image 250 and the second image 252 can be alternately displayed as separate video fields on a display monitor. Various types of active or passive glasses are available for directing the first image 250 and second image 252 of the display to the user's eyes. Passive type glasses typically rely on additional wavelength or polarization processing of the images to enable passive filtering elements in the glasses to separate the images. Passive type glasses typically include a receiver for receiving a synchronization signal from a display, and additionally allowing the first image 250 and the second image 252 to be transmitted to respective right and left eyes. Alternatively, the first image 250 and the second image 252 can be processed to match the identifiable features in the respective influences and to determine the lateral offset between the identified features. A cognitive system that determines the lateral offset associated with the imaging parameters of the imaging system 100 can be used to calculate the difference in depth between multiple points on an object, or the difference between multiple objects at different depths.

In this embodiment, the first image 250 and the second image 252 are each approximately the same degree (ie, 50% of the degree of the image modulator 120). In other embodiments, the first image 250 and the second image 252 can be greater than or less than 50% of the extent of the image modulator 120. When the perspective points of the first image 250 and the second image 252 are spatially separated by a large distance from the central axis 154, the three-dimensional depth recognition level provided by the equal image is generally large.

Advantageously, a single imaging path through the imaging lens 104 is generated from three-dimensional information that can be sensed and/or captured without any spatial alignment, except for the conditions normally required to assemble the lenses at the time of manufacture. The first image 250 and the second image 252. Conversely, a stereoscopic imaging system that uses separate image paths to form separate first and second images can cause eye fatigue or other uncomfortable effects to the user when there is even a slight misalignment in the separate image path.

Image modulator

In one embodiment, the image modulator 120 can be implemented using a liquid crystal cell (LCD) that alternately activates the first region 202 and the second region in response to receiving a drive signal at the input terminal 200. 204 to transmit light. Referring to Figure 6, an LCD image modulator is generally shown as 300. The LCD image modulator 300 includes a layer of liquid crystal material 302 disposed between a first glass sheet 304 and a second glass sheet 306. The first glass sheet 304 includes a plurality of transparent electrodes 308 that are longitudinally disposed. Each electrode 308 has an associated connector 310 that can be, for example, a wired or flexible circuit connection. The connector 310 is coupled to a header 312 which in turn facilitates the connection to the output 210 of the controller 206 shown in FIG. The second glass sheet 306 includes a transparent area electrode (not shown) that extends across a surface thereof and serves as a common electrode. Each transparent electrode 308 defines an element between the electrode and the transparent area electrode and thus defines a plurality of elements 318 that can be respectively provided by providing a driving potential between the corresponding electrode 308 and the transparent area electrode. Being actuated.

The LCD image modulator 300 also includes a first polarizer 314 having a first linear polarization characteristic (vertical polarization in this case). The first polarizer 314 overlaps the plurality of transparent electrodes 308. The LCD image modulator 300 further includes a second polarizer 316 that overlies the second electrode and has a second linear polarization characteristic (horizontal polarization in this case). The various laminates in Figure 6 are not shown to scale.

The controller 206 (shown in Figure 3) is shown in more detail in Figure 7. The controller 206 includes an output 210 for generating the synchronization signal (SYNC), which typically includes a time separated pulse train. The output 210 is in communication with the input 178 of the image sensor for synchronizing image capture at the image sensor 174. The controller 206 further includes a modulator driver 212 for generating the drive signals at the output 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the modulator driver 212 is configured to drive the LCD modulator shown in FIG. 6, and the output 208 thus has a number corresponding to the number of components 318 on the modulator 120. n" output channels. In one embodiment, the controller 206 can be implemented using a processor circuit such as, for example, a microcontroller. In the illustrated embodiment, the output 208 of the controller 206 is operatively configured to provide individual drive signals to the respective electrodes 308. The drive signals are coupled to the respective electrodes 308 via the header 312 and the connectors 310, and the common electrode system acts as a ground connection. In one embodiment, the driving voltage may be by a voltage V ⁺ AND V ^- having a square wave 50% duty cycle variation between, within a range in which a voltage-based selection to a safe operating voltage to the irradiation in The light on the LCD image modulator 300 provides sufficient contrast between transmission and blocking. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of columnar elements 318 promote a degree of change in one of the first region 202 and the second region 204 shown in Figures 1 and 3. In other embodiments, however, the LCD image modulator 300 can be configured to include only two columnar elements, each element having approximately 50% of the front surface of the LCD image modulator 300. Alternatively, the columnar elements 318 can be further divided into a plurality of pixels that can be individually actuated to provide the desired extent of the first region 202 and the second region 204.

Operationally, the first polarizer 314 transmits light having a vertical polarization. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal material 302 is selected such that in its relaxed phase (unactuated), the polarization of light passing through the crystal is not affected. To the effect and the second polarizer 316 thus blocks the light. When actuated by the driving voltage applied to either of the electrodes 308, a portion of the liquid crystal material layer 302 beneath the electrodes causes the light to undergo a polarization change of 90 degrees and thus pass through the second polarizer 316. And the modulator 30. By alternately generating drive signals for the first and second plurality of electrodes 308, the LCD image modulator 300 alternately blocks and transmits light at the first region 202 and the second region 204, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment, both of the polarizers 314 and 316 are vertically polarizable such that the LCD modulator transmits when no actuation voltage is applied. In this case, when a component is actuated, the liquid crystal material causes a change in polarization of the light through 90 degrees to cause the element 356 to block transmission of light.

In another embodiment, the electrode 308 of the LCD image modulator 300 can be divided into a plurality of pixels (as indicated by the dashed line 320), and the connectors 310 and the header 312 can be configured. Each pixel 320 is driven individually. Operationally, the line portion of element 318 can be actuated by actuating each pixel 320 in the line portion. Alternatively, it may be desirable to actuate a pixel other than the column state. For example, pixel 320 can be actuated to cause an aperture of the image at aperture plane 614 by actuating a pixel in a circular or semicircular morph.

Mechanical image modulator

In an alternate embodiment, the modulator 120 of FIG. 3 can be implemented using a spatial modulator, generally shown at 380 in FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, the spatial modulator 380 includes an opaque shutter blade 382 having a notch 383 mounted on an arm portion 384. The arm portion 384 is mounted on a pivot 386 to provide left and right movement of the arm. The arm 384 is A magnet 390 mounted along the way is also included. The magnet 390 is disposed between the first electromagnet 392 and the second electromagnet 394. The shutter blade 382, the arm portion 384, the pivot 386, the first electromagnet 392, and the second electromagnet 394 together form a mechanical actuator that is operative to generate a force for use in arrow 388. The shutter blade 382 is moved left and right between a pair of stops 414 and 416 in the direction to define the first and second positions of the arm and the notch 383, respectively. Each of the light bars 414 and 416 includes a threaded portion to provide adjustment for aligning the notch 383 to selectively allow light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed to the imaging plane 106. . In one embodiment, the light bars 414 and 416 can be coupled to an electrical actuator (not shown), thereby facilitating alignment of the gap 383 without accessing the modulator 380.

For driving the spatial modulator 380, the controller 206 can be replaced by the modulator controller 400 of FIG. The modulator controller 400 includes a first pair of output terminals 402 for driving one of the coils 404 of the first electromagnet 392, and a second pair for driving the coil 408 of the second electromagnet 394. Output 406. The modulator controller 400 also includes an output 412 for generating a synchronization signal (SYNC) for synchronizing the operation of the image recorder 102 (e.g., a camera) as described above in connection with FIG. Alternatively, the output 412 can be configured as an input for receiving a synchronization signal generated by the controller 170 of the image recorder 102.

Operationally, the modulator controller 400 generates a SYNCH signal internally or receives a SYNC signal at 412. In response to the SYNCH signal, the modulator generates current waveforms at the outputs 402 and 406 for driving the respective coils 404 and 408. Current system flowing through the respective coils 404 and 408 The force to be exerted on the arm 384 is caused to move toward a desired light bar 414 or 416. Advantageously, the modulator controller 400 can be implemented as a push-pull driver wherein one of the electromagnets 392 and 394 provides a gravitational force on the magnet 390 and the electromagnets 392 and 394 The other one provides a repulsive force.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary waveform of current drive provided to one of the coils 404 and 408 causing the arm 384 to move toward the first electromagnet 392. The current waveform flowing through the coil 404 is shown at 440, and the current waveform flowing through the coil 408 is shown at 442. The pulse waveform of the SYNCH signal is shown at 446. One of the rising edges of the pulse waveform 446 defines a start time for a first time period 444, wherein the current waveform 440 rises rapidly to create a gravitational force on the arm portion 384. The gravitational force outperforms the inertia of the arm 384 and causes the arm 384 to accelerate away from the diaphragm 414 and the second electromagnet 394. During the first time period 444, the current waveform 442 begins with a zero, and once the arm 384 begins to accelerate, the current waveform 442 is rapidly increased to provide a decelerating force as the arm 384 approaches the diaphragm 416. Thereby, damping of the movement of the arm is provided to avoid the rebound of the arm in engaging the diaphragm. The arm 384 is stopped at the diaphragm 416, and the current waveforms 440 and 442 in each of the coils 404 and 408 are reduced to a small holding current to hold the arm at the diaphragm 416. Maintaining the arm portion 384 at one of the diaphragms 416 for a second time period 448 provides sufficient time to complete capture of the first image.

Similarly, a subsequent rising edge of the pulse waveform 446 defines a start time of a third time period 450, wherein the current waveform 442 causes a gravitational force and the current waveform 440 causes a repulsive force on the arm portion 384. The arm portion 384 is moved toward the diaphragm 414. During this period, the arm 384 defines a fourth time period 452 at least at one of the time periods 452 of the light bar 414, which provides sufficient time to complete the capture of the second image.

Referring to Figure 10, in an alternative embodiment, the actuator of the spatial modulator 380 (shown in Figure 10) is generally shown as 500. The actuator 500 includes a motor 502 having a motor drive shaft 506 extending through the motor. The arm portion 384 carries the shutter blade 382 and is mounted to the drive shaft 506 to move left and right between the diaphragms 414 and 416. In this embodiment, the motor 502 is implemented using a pair of magnets 508 and 510, and the drive shaft 506 supports the actuator coil 516 between the pair of magnets 508 and 510. The actuator coil 516 can be coupled to the output 402 of the modulator for receiving a drive current that causes a torque to be generated on the drive shaft 506. In general, the actuator 500 operates in a manner similar to one of the analog pointer scales and provides movement between the light bars 414 and 416. In other embodiments, the motor 502 can be configured such that the drive shaft 506 is magnetized and the coil is wound around the pole pieces (ie, magnets 508 and 510).

Alternative adapter embodiment

Referring to Figure 11, an alternative adapter embodiment is generally shown as 600. The adapter 600 includes a housing 602 having a first interface 604 for mounting to the image recorder 102 and a second interface 606 for mounting an imaging lens 608. The imaging lens 608 has an exit pupil 610. The adapter 600 is further comprised of a first relay lens 612. The adapter 600 is incorporated into an image modulator 616 that is located at or near an aperture plane location 614.

In this embodiment, the first relay lens 612 includes a relay lens pair 618 that includes relay lenses 620 and 622 for imaging the exit pupil of the imaging lens 608 to the aperture plane position 614. . The first relay lens 612 also includes a lens group 624 configured to adapt an image size and format produced by the imaging lens 608 to the adapter 600. In one embodiment, the lens group 624 is implemented using a focusing lens triplet (lenses 626, 628, and 630), wherein at least the lenses 628 and 630 are movable to vary the focus of the lens group. length. In other embodiments, the lens system in the lens group 624 can be secured in the housing 602, which in this case will be configured as a single image size/format.

The adapter 600 also includes a second relay lens 631 for forming a corresponding first image and first image at the image plane 106. The second relay lens 631 includes a relay lens pair 632 that includes relay lenses 634 and 636 for forming an image at the image plane 106. The second relay lens 631 also includes a lens group 638 configured to generate an image at the image plane 106 that is sized according to the size of the image sensor 168. In this embodiment, the lens group 638 is implemented using a focusing lens triad system (lenses 640, 642, and 644) wherein at least lenses 642 and 644 are movable to vary the focus length of the lens group. In still another embodiment, the adapter 600 is intended for use with a particular image recorder 102 in which the lens system in the lens group 624 can be secured.

In this embodiment, the adapter 600 also includes a selectable movable focusing lens 646 for adjusting image focus at the image plane 106.

Operationally, the movable element (lenses 626 and 628 of the lens group 624) allows for adjustment of the focus length of the lens group 624 to configure the adapter for use with imaging lenses 608 having different image formats, and The relay lens pair 618 images the exit pupil 610 of one of the imaging lenses 608 to the aperture plane position 614. Advantageously, the adjustments provided allow a wide variety of lenses to be used in conjunction with the adapter, and also promote lens use that is not fully compatible with the format of the image recorder 102. The lenses 628 and 630 can be moved using a mechanical actuator ring (not shown) to change an overall focus length of the first relay lens 612 to image the exit pupil 610 of the imaging lens 608. To the aperture plane position 614.

Similarly, lenses 642 and 644 that move the lens group 638 configure the adapter 600 to operate with the image recorder 102 such that the image at the image plane 106 is correctly applied to the image sensor 168. format. Advantageously, the lens group 638 facilitates adjustment of the adapter to match a wider range of image recording elements without overfilling or unfilling the image sensor 168.

The imaging lens 608 will generally be ready for focus adjustment such that the image formed at the image plane 106 is properly focused. This adjustment can be done manually in the form of a manual mechanical actuator ring (not shown) on the outside of the housing, or in the form of an electric actuator. The focus lens 646 additionally allows the focus range of the imaging lens 608 to be selectively offset, while the focus range of the imaging lens 608 should not be sufficient to allow the image to be focused at the image plane 106.

Once the first and second relay lenses 612 and 631 are adjusted to operate with the imaging lens 608 and the image recorder 102, the adapter 600 The operation in generating a three-dimensional image is generally as described above in connection with Figures 4 and 5.

Other embodiments

In other embodiments of the LCD image modulator 300 shown in FIG. 6, the second polarizer 316 can be ignored to configure the modulator to selectively change the polarization state of the transmitted light, and Non-selective blocking of light transmission. Therefore, the portion of the liquid crystal material layer 302 that is not actuated below the electrode 308 has no effect on the polarization state of the light that is transmitted as vertically polarized light. A portion of the liquid crystal material 350 beneath the actuation electrode 308 causes the light to undergo a polarization change of 90 degrees, thereby causing the transmitted light to have a horizontal polarization. In this alternative embodiment, the LCD image modulator 300 thus causes the first image and the second image having respective vertical polarization states and horizontal polarization states to be simultaneously formed at the image plane 106. Alternatively, the liquid crystal material layer 302 of the LCD image modulator 300 can be configured to produce a first image having right circularly polarized light and a second image having left circularly polarized light. The image sensor 168 is configurable to simultaneously receive the respective first and second images by adding polarization elements in front of the individual image array elements. For example, adjacent sensor pixel systems may alternate between horizontal and vertical polarization to provide polarization selected pixels that are sensitive to only one polarization orientation. The sensor will thus allow simultaneous reception of both the first image and the second image. The first image and the second image system can be separated during reading from the array or in a separate processing step.

Embodiments of the above described adapters facilitate the wide adaptation of two-dimensional imaging lenses and two-dimensional image recorders for generating three-dimensional image information. Advantageously, because a single image path of the imaging lens is used to capture the images, The adapter facilitates the generation of three-dimensional images without any further need to align the imaging paths.

While the invention has been described and illustrated, the embodiments of the invention are intended to be construed

100‧‧‧ imaging system / camera

102‧‧‧Image recorder

104‧‧‧ imaging lens

106‧‧‧Image plane

108‧‧‧Adapter

110‧‧‧shell

112‧‧‧ first interface

114‧‧‧Second interface

116‧‧‧First relay lens

118‧‧‧Aperture plane position

120‧‧‧Image Modulator

122‧‧‧Second relay lens

124,126,128,130‧‧‧ lens

132‧‧‧ objects

150,152‧‧‧ lens elements

154‧‧‧Central axis

156‧‧‧Central aperture bar

158‧‧‧Exit light

160‧‧‧Main beam

162‧‧‧Edge beam

164,166‧‧‧projection

168‧‧‧ sensor

170‧‧‧ Controller

200‧‧‧ input

202‧‧‧First area

204‧‧‧Second area

206‧‧‧ Controller

208,210‧‧‧output

212‧‧‧Modulator Driver

220‧‧‧First light beam

222‧‧‧ first point

224‧‧‧second light beam

226‧‧‧ second point

250‧‧‧ first image

252‧‧‧Second image

254‧‧‧Image Center

300‧‧‧LCD Image Modulator

302‧‧‧Liquid material layer

304‧‧‧First glass plate

306‧‧‧second glass plate

308‧‧‧electrode

310‧‧‧Connector

312‧‧‧ Collector

314‧‧‧First Polarizer

316‧‧‧second polarizer

318‧‧‧ components

320‧‧ ‧ pixels

380‧‧‧Transformer

382‧‧‧ blades

383‧‧ ‧ gap

384‧‧‧arms

386‧‧‧ pivot

388‧‧‧ arrow

390‧‧‧ Magnet

392‧‧‧First electromagnet

394‧‧‧Second electromagnet

400‧‧‧Modulator Driver

402‧‧‧ first pair of outputs

404,408‧‧‧ coil

406‧‧‧second pair of outputs

412‧‧‧output

414,416‧‧‧

420‧‧‧Threaded part

440,442‧‧‧ Current waveform

444‧‧‧First time period

446‧‧‧pulse waveform

448‧‧‧Second time period

450‧‧‧ third time period

452‧‧‧ fourth time period

500‧‧‧ actuator

502‧‧‧Motor

506‧‧‧ drive shaft

508, 510‧‧‧ magnet

516‧‧‧ coil

600‧‧‧ adapter

602‧‧‧Shell

604‧‧‧ first interface

606‧‧‧Second interface

608‧‧‧ imaging lens

610‧‧‧Light

612‧‧‧First relay lens

614‧‧‧Aperture plane

616‧‧‧Transformer

618‧‧‧Relay lens pair

620,622‧‧‧ relay lens

624‧‧‧ lens group

626,628,630‧‧ lens

631‧‧‧Second relay lens

632‧‧‧Relay lens pair

634,636‧‧‧Relay lens

638‧‧‧Lens Group

640,642,644‧‧ lens

646‧‧‧focus lens

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an imaging system including an adapter device for generating three-dimensional image information in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. A top view of a two-dimensional imaging system of the technology; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the imaging system and the adapter device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is another top view of the imaging system and the adapter device of FIG. 1; 1 is a representation of the first image and the second image produced by the imaging system; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the liquid crystal image modulators used in the adapter device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is used for the control chart 1 is a block diagram of a controller for operation of the adapter device; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a spatial modulator in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is for controlling the spatial modulation shown in FIG. a graphical depiction of the control signal of the device; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the actuator used in the spatial modulator of Figure 8; and Figure 11 is a top plan view of an adapter device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. .

100. . . Imaging system / camera

102. . . Recorder

104. . . Imaging lens

106. . . Image plane

108. . . adapter

110. . . case

112. . . First interface

114. . . Second interface

116. . . First relay lens

118. . . Aperture plane position

120. . . Image modulator

122. . . Second relay lens

124,126,128,130. . . lens

132. . . object

Claims (43)

An adapter device for generating three-dimensional image information at an image plane of an image recorder in response to receiving light captured by an imaging lens having a single imaging path of an associated field of view, the adapter device comprising: a housing having a first interface for mounting to the image recorder and a second interface for mounting the imaging lens; a first relay lens for one of the imaging lenses An exit pupil is imaged to a position in an aperture plane of the housing; an image modulator located at or near an aperture plane within the housing and operatively configured to selectively permit Light rays of respective first and second portions of the imaging path are directed to the imaging plane; and a second relay lens for forming corresponding first and second images at the image plane. The first image and the second image are operative together to present a three-dimensional spatial property of the object within the field of view of the imaging lens. The adapter device of claim 1, wherein the first relay lens comprises a plurality of lenses. The adapter device of claim 2, wherein the first relay lens system further comprises a lens group operatively configured to cause light captured by the imaging lens to be formatted for the adapter device . The adapter device of claim 3, wherein the lens group comprises at least one movable lens element. The adapter device of claim 1, wherein the image modulator is operatively configured to selectively transmit light from respective first and second portions of the single imaging path. An adapter device according to claim 5, wherein the image modulator is operatively configured to selectively transmit light by alternately performing: blocking the first portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to pass through The second portion of the single imaging path is received; and blocking the second portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to be received through the first portion of the single imaging path. The adapter device of claim 6, wherein the image modulator comprises a blocker disposed in the single imaging path and operatively configured to move in the first position and the second position between. The adapter device of claim 6, wherein the image modulator comprises an optical component having first and second regions, wherein the first region and the second region are operationally configured to be selective Actuated to block the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path. The adapter device of claim 8 wherein the image modulator comprises an optical component having a plurality of individually actuated components, and wherein the first region and the second region comprise the plurality of components The first group and the second group that are selectively actuated. The adapter device of claim 9, wherein the image modulator is operatively configured to selectively vary a consistent dynamic of the plurality of components such that the image modulator is lowered through the first region Light transmission from each of the second regions. The adapter device of claim 1, wherein the image modulator is operatively configured to selectively change a polarization state of light from at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path . The adapter device of claim 1, wherein the image modulator is operatively configured to selectively transmit light from the respective first and second portions of the single imaging path in response to a synchronization signal. The adapter device of claim 1, wherein the second relay lens comprises a plurality of lenses. The adapter device of claim 13, wherein the second relay lens system further comprises a lens group operatively configured to generate an image having a format at the image plane, wherein the format A format corresponding to one of the image recorders arranged to record an image at the image plane. The adapter device of claim 14, wherein the lens group comprises at least one movable lens element. The adapter device of claim 1, wherein the image modulator is operatively configured to generate an electrical signal representative of the first image and the second image formed at the image plane. A method for generating three-dimensional image information at an image plane of an image recorder in response to receiving light captured by an imaging lens having a single imaging path having an associated field of view, the method comprising: An exit pupil of one of the imaging lenses is imaged to a position in an aperture plane of a housing having a first interface for mounting to the image recorder and a second interface for mounting the imaging lens; An image modulator located at or adjacent to the aperture plane in the housing selectively allows light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed to the imaging plane; and forming at the image plane Corresponding first image and second image, the first image and the second image are operative together to present a three-dimensional property of the object within the field of view of the imaging lens. The method of claim 17, wherein imaging the exit pupil comprises arranging a first relay lens within the housing to image the exit pupil to a position of the aperture plane. The method of claim 18, wherein arranging the first relay lens system comprises arranging a lens group such that light captured by the imaging lens is formatted for reception by the first relay lens. The method of claim 18, wherein arranging the first relay lens system comprises arranging at least one movable lens element within the housing. The method of claim 17, wherein causing the image modulator to selectively direct light from the respective first and second portions of the imaging path to the imaging plane comprises causing the image modulator to be selective Light from respective first and second portions of the single imaging path is transmitted. The method of claim 21, wherein causing the image modulator to selectively transmit light comprises alternately performing an action of blocking a first portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to pass through the second portion of the single imaging path Receiving; and blocking the second portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to be received through the first portion of the single imaging path. The method of claim 22, wherein altering the barrier of the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path comprises causing a blocker disposed in the single imaging path to move in the first position and the second position between. The method of claim 22, wherein the alternating the first and second portions of the single imaging path comprises selectively actuating the first and second regions of an optical element to selectively block the single The first part and the second part of the imaging path. The method of claim 24, wherein the image modulator comprises a plurality of elements, and wherein the blocking of the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path alternately comprises selectively actuating the first region and Elements in the second region selectively block the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path. The method of claim 25, further comprising selectively altering a consistent dynamic of the plurality of components to cause the image modulator to reduce light transmission through each of the first region and the second region . The method of claim 17, wherein causing the image modulator to selectively direct light from the respective first and second portions of the imaging path to the imaging plane comprises causing the image modulator to be selective A polarization state of one of the rays from at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path is varied. The method of claim 17, wherein causing the image modulator to selectively allow light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed to the imaging plane comprises causing the image modulator to respond The sync signal selectively transmits light from the respective first and second portions of the single imaging path. The method of claim 17, wherein forming a corresponding first image and second image system at the image plane comprises arranging a second relay lens in the housing to form a corresponding first at the image plane Image and second image. The method of claim 29, wherein arranging the second relay lens system comprises arranging a plurality of lenses to form corresponding first and second images at the image plane. The method of claim 30, wherein the arranging the second relay lens system comprises: arranging at least one movable lens element in the housing; and positioning the at least one movable lens element to cause formation at the imaging plane Corresponding first image and second image. The method of claim 31, wherein forming a corresponding first image and second image system at the image plane comprises further arranging at least one movable focusing lens within the housing, and positioning the focusing element to focus on Corresponding first image and second image at the imaging plane. The method of claim 17, wherein the forming the corresponding first image and the second image system at the image plane comprises forming the first image and the second image at an image sensor, the image sensing The device is operable to generate an electrical signal representative of the first image and the second image. An adapter device for generating three-dimensional image information at an image plane of an image recorder in response to receiving light captured by an imaging lens having a single imaging path of an associated field of view, the adapter device comprising: a housing having a first interface for mounting to the image recorder and a second interface for mounting the imaging lens; for imaging an exit pupil of the imaging lens into the housing Means for position of an aperture plane; means for selectively directing light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to the imaging plane for allowing the device to be positioned in an aperture plane within the housing Positioning or in the vicinity thereof; and means for forming a corresponding first image and second image at the image plane, the first image and the second image being operative together to present the object within the field of view of the imaging lens 3D space properties. The adapter device of claim 34, wherein the means for imaging the exit pupil comprises: at least one movable lens element within the housing; and for positioning the at least one movable lens element And means for causing the exit pupil to be imaged to the position of the aperture plane. An adapter device of claim 34, wherein selectively directing light to the imaging plane system comprises preparing to selectively transmit light from respective first and second portions of the single imaging path. An adapter device according to claim 36, wherein the means for selectively transmitting light comprises means for alternating the action of: blocking the first portion of the single imaging path while allowing light to pass through the single imaging path The two portions are received; and the second portion of the single imaging path is blocked while allowing light to be received through the first portion of the single imaging path. An adapter device according to claim 37, wherein the means for alternately blocking the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path comprises means for causing a blocker disposed in the single imaging path to move at a first A device between the location and the second location. The adapter device of claim 37, wherein the means for blocking the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path comprises an optical component operatively configured to selectively block the single imaging path The first part and the second part. An adapter device according to claim 34, wherein the means for causing the image modulator to selectively allow light from respective first and second portions of the imaging path to be directed to the imaging plane comprises causing The image modulator selectively alters a polarization state of one of the rays from at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the single imaging path. The adapter device of claim 34, wherein the means for forming a corresponding first image and second image at the image plane comprises: at least one movable lens element enclosed within the housing; And means for positioning the at least one movable lens element such that a corresponding first image and second image are formed at the image plane. The adapter device of claim 41, wherein the means for forming a corresponding first image and second image at the image plane comprises corresponding first image and second for focusing at the imaging plane Image device. The adapter device of claim 34, further comprising means for generating an electrical signal representative of the first image and the second image formed at the image plane.