The disclosure relates to the field of optics, and more particularly to optical structures for devices with digital cameras.
Various electronic devices may incorporate one or more digital cameras comprising an image sensor for capturing still images and/or videos. The arrangement and adjustability of the location of these cameras may be limited by the space available in the device and its original layout. In particular, with portable devices that have two or more cameras, the distance between the cameras is often minimized on purpose for improved image quality or to provide different image capture modes. The minimized distance allows only a limited change of perspective between the cameras. If the cameras are located at a distance from each other sufficient to create two or more perspectives, this may in turn limit the quality of digital images captured. Camera position adjustment mechanisms in a portable device can be cumbersome and require additional arrangements in an already narrow space available in a portable device.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
It is an object to provide an improved optical structure. The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are provided in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.
According to a first aspect, a detachable optical structure for a device having one or more cameras is provided. The detachable optical structure comprises: a body having a transparent portion, and an optical element attached to the body. The optical element comprises a first aperture, a second aperture and two or more reflective elements arranged for parallel displacement of an optical axis from the first aperture to the second aperture, and when the detachable optical structure is applied to the device having one or more cameras, the optical element is configured to be positioned such that the first aperture is aligned with a camera of the device having one or more cameras, and the optical element is at least partially aligned with the transparent portion of the body. Therefore, the detachable optical structure can be used to displace the optical axis of a camera on a device, and for example change the role of this camera. For instance, if the device has two or more cameras, the detachable optical structure can be used to change distance between optical axes of adjacent cameras. This can provide an ability to capture stereoscopic images, assist in estimation of distance to objects due to increased distance between points of measurement, or contribute to three-dimensional mapping of objects. If the device has only one camera, the optical structure can be used to change the optical axis of the camera, for example if a cover with a transparent area which is not aligned with the camera is applied to the device. Alternatively, in a device with one camera the optical structure can be used to project separate images onto one image sensor from different perspectives.
The body may have one or more transparent portions, these portions may comprise transparent material, for example plastic or glass. The optical element may be attached to the body rigidly or be in a moving connection. Parallel displacement of an optical axis refers to a change in the location of the optical axis of a camera on the device. Alignment of the apertures of the optical element with a camera and with the transparent portion of the body refers to an alignment sufficient to allow light to travel through the transparent portion, through the second aperture, via the optical element through the first aperture, and then strike on for example an image sensor of a camera.
The terms “first aperture” and “second aperture” are used in this description for illustration purposes only, and can be interchanged or renumbered without affecting the scope. The term “detachable” refers to an ability to detach, for example the optical structure may be configured to be repeatedly applied to, and detached from, the device having one or more cameras.
In an implementation form of the first aspect, the first aperture and the second aperture of the optical element are parallel to each other and brought apart in space. The two or more reflective elements are aligned with each other and with the first aperture and the second aperture such that light traveling through the second aperture reflects off the two or more reflective elements and travels through the first aperture. The reflective elements can be made of, or coated in, any material that reflects light when positioned at an angle appropriate for the operation of the detachable optical structure. Therefore, the parallel optical axis displacement can be provided in an arrangement of the apertures and reflective elements that may not require complex mechanical arrangements and can be cost-efficient.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the first aperture and the second aperture are parallel to each other and brought apart in space by a distance between 30 and 80 millimetres, allowing parallel displacement of the optical axis from the first aperture to the second aperture by the distance between 30 and 80 mm. Therefore, for example if the device has two or more cameras, the parallel displacement of the optical axis can create a distance between optical axes of two adjacent cameras similar or equal to the distance between pupils of human eyes.
In other implementations, the distance between the first and second apertures may be outside of this range and limited for example by the physical dimensions of the device. A longer distance between the apertures may provide improved quality of distance measurement and/or three-dimensional mapping.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the optical element has a telescopic structure, and the first aperture, the second aperture and the two or more reflective elements are arranged to be movable in relation to each other such that the length of the parallel displacement of the optical axis from the first aperture to the second aperture can be adjusted. The optical element may also be movably attached to the body of the optical structure to allow this free movement of apertures and reflective elements in relation to each other in any position of the device. The reflective elements may be grouped with the respective apertures and move in relation to the other group. The movable arrangement allows fine-tuning the length of the parallel displacement for the needed purpose, and may therefore add a variety of uses for the optical element.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the reflective elements have a convex or concave shape. The convex or concave shape can provide improved bundling of light rays that travel through the optical element, and therefore prevent image distortion that may be caused by moving the reflective elements and apertures in relation to each other.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the optical element is movably attached to the body via a shifting mechanism. Therefore, position of the optical element can be made adjustable when the detachable optical structure is detached from, or applied to, the device having one or more cameras.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the shifting mechanism comprises a rotating disc attached to the body via a pivoting joint, two or more arms attached to the rotating disc via two or more sliding joints, and two or more pivoted joints connecting each of the two or more arms with the optical element. The shifting mechanism according to this implementation form can provide free movement of the optical element along the surface of the body in two directions, while preventing the optical element from unwanted rotation or tilt.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the shifting mechanism comprises a plurality of mechanical arms attached to each other in a sequence at each end via floating pivots, wherein the first mechanical arm of the plurality of mechanical arms is attached at a first end to the body via an anchored pivot, and the last mechanical arm of the plurality of mechanical arms is attached to the optical element via a floating pivot. The plurality of mechanical arms attached to each other in a sequence comprises two or more mechanical arms. The shifting mechanism can provide free movement of the optical element along the body.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the shifting mechanism comprises a ferritic plate rigidly attached to the body, a magnetic element rigidly attached to the optical element and movably attached to the ferritic plate due to the magnetic attraction between the magnetic element and ferritic plate. Therefore, the optical element can be movable when the optical structure is detached from the device, and secured when the optical structure is applied to the device. The magnetic element can be attracted to the ferritic plate and secured to it when attached, however remain easily detachable and therefore movable.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the shifting mechanism is an automated actuator attached to the body of the detachable optical structure and the optical element. Therefore, the optical element can be moved automatically in relation to the body.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the detachable optical structure comprises a movement area within which the optical element is configured to be movable, wherein the at least one transparent portion of the body covers the whole movement area. Therefore, the optical element can be moved along the transparent portion of the body, and prevented from moving into non-transparent portions.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the optical element is rigidly attached to the transparent portion of the body of the detachable optical structure. The detachable optical structure may be designed in a way that the position of the optical element on the body remains permanent and aligns with a camera of one or more specific device types when the optical structure is applied to such device. Thereby alignment errors caused by accidental movement of the optical element can be avoided.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the optical element comprises a third aperture and three or more reflective elements, arranged to split the optical element into two sections, wherein each section is arranged for separate parallel displacements of the optical axes from the first aperture to the second aperture, and from the first aperture to the third aperture. Therefore, the optical element can be split into two sections and project two separated images onto one image sensor of a camera from different perspectives. This can be used for example in stereoscopic imaging or any other function that requires separation of optical axes of multiple cameras in a device with a single camera.
In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the optical element comprises one or more lenses positioned between the reflective elements. With additional lenses, the light rays passing through the optical elements can remain bundled regardless of its dimensions or changing size in case of a telescopic structure.
According to a second aspect, an electronic imaging device comprises two or more cameras and the detachable optical structure according to any one of the implementations of the first aspect. The detachable optical structure can provide parallel displacement of the optical axis of one or all of the cameras of the electronic imaging device, which allows adjusting the distance between optical axes of adjacent cameras.
According to a third aspect, a mobile phone comprises one or more cameras and the detachable optical structure according to any one of the implementations of the first aspect. The detachable optical structure may be part of the mobile phone casing, cover or a separate structure detachable from any of the abovementioned components.
According to a fourth aspect, a cover for a device having one or more cameras comprises the detachable optical structure according to any one of the implementations of the first aspect. The cover may provide protective functions in addition to parallel displacement of optical axes of a camera. The cover can be a detachable cover.
According to a fifth aspect, a virtual and/or augmented reality headset comprises the detachable optical structure according to any one of the implementations of the first aspect. Virtual and/or augmented reality headsets can be configured to project stereoscopic images to a user, and the detachable optical structure may be used to capture stereoscopic images when applied to a device with one or more cameras.
In an implementation of the fifth aspect, the virtual and/or augmented reality headset comprises a slot for a mobile device having two or more cameras, wherein the detachable optical structure is aligned with the slot such that, when the mobile device having two or more cameras is inserted in the slot, the optical element is aligned with one of the cameras of the mobile device having two or more cameras.
According to a sixth aspect, a detachable cover for a virtual and/or augmented reality headset comprises the detachable optical structure according to any one of the implementations of the first aspect.
Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Like references are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.
The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the embodiment may be constructed or utilized. However, the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments.
The optical structure 100 comprises a body 110 having a transparent portion, and an optical element 101 attached to the body 110. Illustration of the transparent portion is omitted from the side view of
The first and second apertures 121, 122 are shown as blank spaces in
The arrow 141, 142 illustrates the optical axis of the optical element 101 which is displaced from position 141 to position 142. When the detachable optical structure 100 is applied to the device 120, as shown on
According to an embodiment, the first aperture 121 and the second aperture 122 of the optical element 101 are parallel to each other and brought apart in space. The reflective elements 111 and 112 are aligned with each other and with the apertures 121, 122 such that light traveling through the second aperture 122 reflects off the reflective elements 112, then 111, and travels through the first aperture 121. The distance between the first and second apertures 121, 122 determines the length of parallel displacement of the optical axis 141, 142. Creating a distance between the apertures 121, 122 and thereby a parallel displacement may be desirable for example in distance measurement, three-dimensional mapping of objects, or stereoscopic imaging.
According to an embodiment, the parallel apertures 121, 122 are brought apart in space by a distance between 30 and 80 millimeters, allowing parallel displacement of the optical axis from the first aperture 121 to the second aperture 122 by the distance between 30 and 80 millimeters. According to an embodiment, the device 120 comprises two or more cameras 102, 203 as shown on
In other embodiments, the distance between the first and second apertures 121, 122 may be outside of the range 30-80 mm and limited for example by the physical dimensions of the device. A longer distance between the apertures may provide improved quality of distance measurement and/or three-dimensional mapping.
According to an embodiment, the reflective elements 411, 412 have a convex or concave shape which can provide improved bundling of light rays that travel through the optical element. This in turn prevents image distortion that may be caused by moving the reflective elements 411, 412 and apertures 421, 422 in relation to each other. In an embodiment, the bundling is also improved by means of an additional lens 404 positioned between the reflective elements, as illustrated on
According to an embodiment illustrated on
According to embodiments, the optical element is movably attached to the body via a shifting mechanism. The shifting mechanism may be selected from a variety of mechanisms that provide a moving connection, some of which are illustrated in
According to an embodiment, a movement area within which the optical element 101 is configured to be movable is covered by the transparent portion 610 of the body 110. In the embodiments shown in
The optical structure is applied to devices with two cameras in
Magnetic retention allows manual shifting of the optical element 101 and can hold it in place with sufficient force after the adjustment. This also allows rotational movement for the optical element 101, as shown in
According to an embodiment not illustrated in the drawings, the shifting mechanism can be an automated actuator attached to the body and the optical element. In this embodiment, the optical element can be moved automatically in relation to the body.
According to an embodiment illustrated on
According to an embodiment illustrated on
The embodiments above allow using the detachable optical structure to create stereoscopic images in real time for example when a mobile phone is inserted in the slot of the virtual and/or augmented reality headset.
Proportions in the drawings may be exaggerated or altered for illustrative purposes, and should not be interpreted as the only accurate visual representation of the structures and devices shown. Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought. Also any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly disallowed.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or functions, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or functions described above. Rather, the specific features and functions described above are disclosed as embodiments of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and functions are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item may refer to one or more of those items. The term ‘and/or’ may be used to indicate that one or more of the cases it connects may occur. Both, or more, connected cases may occur, or only either one of the connected cases may occur. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought.
The term ‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the elements, structures or modules identified, but that such elements, structures or modules do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional elements, structures or modules.
It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, embodiments and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2018/068810 | 7/11/2018 | WO | 00 |