Motionless adaptive stereoscopic scene capture with tuneable liquid crystal lenses and stereoscopic auto-focusing methods
US9314148B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N13/243
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A motionless adaptive focus stereoscopic scene capture apparatus employing tuneable liquid crystal lenses is provided. The apparatus includes at least two image sensors preferably fabricated as a monolithic stereo image capture component and at least two corresponding tuneable liquid crystal lenses preferably fabricated as a monolithic focus adjustment component. Using a variable focus tuneable liquid crystal lens at each aperture stop provides constant magnification focus control. Controlled spatial variance of a spatially variant electric field applied to the liquid crystal of each tuneable liquid crystal lens provides optical axis shift enabling registration between stereo images. A controller implements coupled auto-focusing methods employing multiple focus scores derived from at least two camera image sensors and providing multiple tuneable liquid crystal lens drive signals for synchronous focus acquisition of a three dimensional scene. Wafer manufacture provides a compact stereoscopic image capture apparatus for endoscopic surgery, optical inspection and entertainment applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.