Folded parallel-light-channel based stereo imaging system with disparity and convergence angle control
A stereo imaging system having convergence angle and disparity control includes a pair of pivoting folded-parallel-light-channel (FPLC) units arranged to provide a virtual left side view and a virtual right side view of a scene. Each FPLC unit includes a fixed lens unit adapted to focus reflected light including an image of a scene to an image sensor and a laterally translatable light-redirecting unit including a reflector adapted to define a parallel image reflection path to the fixed lens unit via a collimated light beam defined by substantially parallel light beams. The stereo imaging system further includes a disparity-adjusting mechanism adapted to alter a distance between the pair of pivoting FPLC units and a convergence-angle-adjusting mechanism adapted to pivot the pivoting FPLC units.
1. A stereo imaging system having convergence angle and disparity control, comprising:
a pair of pivoting folded-parallel-light-channel (FPLC) units arranged to provide a virtual left side view and a virtual right side view of a scene, each FPLC unit comprising:
a) a fixed lens unit adapted to focus reflected light comprising an image of a scene to an image sensor, and
b) a laterally translatable light-redirecting unit comprising a reflector adapted to define a parallel image reflection path to the fixed lens unit via a collimated light beam comprising substantially parallel light beams along the stereo imaging system y-axis;
a disparity-adjusting mechanism adapted to alter a distance between the laterally translatable light-redirecting units of the pair of pivoting FPLC units; and
a convergence-angle-adjusting mechanism adapted to pivot the pivoting FPLC units;
wherein the stereo imaging system is adapted to consolidate two-dimensional images into a single three-dimensional image.
2. The stereo imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the disparity-adjusting mechanism comprises a first actuator operatively connected to a cam assembly.
3. The stereo imaging system according to claim 2 , wherein the convergence-angle-adjusting mechanism comprises a second actuator adapted to pivot a pair of pivoting housings each respectively carrying a one of the pair of FPLC units.
4. The stereo imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector defines a planar reflective surface.
5. The stereo imaging system according to claim 4 , further including a concave lens disposed between the reflector and an image inlet of each of the pair of FPLC units.
6. The stereo imaging system according to claim 5 , wherein the concave lens defines a lens field of view that is the same as a field of view of the fixed lens unit.
7. The stereo imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector defines an arcuate reflective surface.
8. The stereo imaging system according to claim 7 , wherein the arcuate reflective surface is configured to define a reflector field of view that is the same as a field of view of the fixed lens unit.
9. The stereo imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed lens unit defines a wide-angle lens unit.
10. The stereo imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed lens unit defines a telephoto lens unit.
11. A stereo imaging system having convergence angle and disparity control, comprising:
a pair of pivoting folded-parallel-light-channel (FPLC) units arranged to provide a virtual left side view and a virtual right side view of a scene, each FPLC unit comprising:
a) a fixed lens unit adapted to focus reflected light comprising an image of a scene to an image sensor, and
b) a laterally translatable light-redirecting unit comprising a planar reflector adapted to define a parallel image reflection path to the fixed lens unit via a collimated light beam comprising substantially parallel light beams along the stereo imaging system y-axis;
a disparity-adjusting mechanism adapted to alter a distance between the laterally translatable light-redirecting units of the pair of pivoting FPLC units; and
a convergence-angle-adjusting mechanism adapted to pivot the pivoting FPLC units;
wherein the stereo imaging system is adapted to consolidate two-dimensional images into a single three-dimensional image.
12. The stereo imaging system according to claim 11 , wherein the disparity-adjusting mechanism comprises a first actuator operatively connected to a cam assembly.
13. The stereo imaging system according to claim 12 , wherein the convergence-angle-adjusting mechanism comprises a second actuator adapted to pivot a pair of pivoting housings each respectively carrying a one of the pair of FPLC units.
14. The stereo imaging system according to claim 11 , further including a concave lens disposed between the planar reflector and an image inlet of each of the pair of FPLC units.
15. The stereo imaging system according to claim 14 , wherein the concave lens defines a lens field of view that is the same as a field of view of the fixed lens unit.
16. The stereo imaging system according to claim 11 , wherein the fixed lens unit defines a wide-angle lens unit.
17. The stereo imaging system according to claim 11 , wherein the fixed lens unit defines a telephoto lens unit.
18. A stereo imaging system having convergence angle and disparity control, comprising:
a pair of pivoting folded-parallel-light-channel (FPLC) units arranged to provide a virtual left side view and a virtual right side view of a scene, each FPLC unit comprising:
a) a fixed lens unit adapted to focus reflected light comprising an image of a scene to an image sensor, and
b) a laterally translatable light-redirecting unit comprising an arcuate reflector adapted to define a parallel image reflection path to the fixed lens unit via a collimated light beam comprising substantially parallel light beams along the stereo imaging system y-axis;
a disparity-adjusting mechanism adapted to alter a distance between the laterally translatable light-redirecting units of the pair of pivoting FPLC units; and
a convergence-angle-adjusting mechanism adapted to pivot the pivoting FPLC units;
wherein the stereo imaging system is adapted to consolidate two-dimensional images into a single three-dimensional image.
19. The stereo imaging system according to claim 18 , wherein the disparity-adjusting mechanism comprises a first actuator operatively connected to a cam assembly.
20. The stereo imaging system according to claim 19 , wherein the convergence-angle-adjusting mechanism comprises a second actuator adapted to pivot a pair of pivoting housings each respectively carrying a one of the pair of FPLC units.
21. The stereo imaging system according to claim 18 , wherein the arcuate reflective surface is configured to define a reflector field of view that is the same as a field of view of the fixed lens unit.
22. The stereo imaging system according to claim 18 , wherein the fixed lens unit defines a wide-angle lens unit.
23. The stereo imaging system according to claim 18 , wherein the fixed lens unit defines a telephoto lens unit.