JP2007121980A - Magnetic fluid lens and its application - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic fluid lens capable of achieving new digital technology capable of controlling uneven liquid level, and increasing the opening diameter, and so on. <P>SOLUTION: By using a magnetic fluid 101 as a mirror, and attracting a liquid by a permanent magnet 103, gravity is overcome and thus a liquid mirror of a wide-aperture is made. By using a magnetic head or an electrostatic head, the mirror allows liquid level control that has a high degree of freedom. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  Advances in digital photography technology have demanded higher performance for optical lens modules. As one of solutions to meet this demand, a liquid lens using two kinds of transmissive fluids having different refractive indexes has been proposed.

Challenges to be solved

  The use of a liquid lens has advantages such as downsizing, speeding up, and simplification, and many applications using these characteristics have been proposed. However, for fluid optical devices, other than this, “Intentional distortion can be given to the image”, “The viewpoint can be moved even when the camera is fixed”, “Multiple lens centers can be generated”, etc. There is a nature that has not been noticed yet. When making a camera system that uses these properties, liquid lenses are required to have a biased liquid level control or to have a large aperture, which is difficult to achieve with only liquid lenses that have been proposed so far. is there.

Problem solving means

  In this project, we have realized a technology that uses a magnetic fluid as a mirror and overcomes gravity by attracting the liquid with a permanent magnet to create a large-diameter liquid mirror. This mirror has a mechanism that allows liquid level control with a high degree of freedom by using a magnetic head or an electrostatic head, and it is possible to realize a new application that has been difficult with conventional liquid lenses.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Magnetic fluid lens device Magnetic fluid is used as a mirror. Examples are shown in FIGS. A convex mirror is formed by attracting magnetic fluid with a permanent magnet. Thereby, the liquid leak by gravity can also be prevented. As necessary, the liquid level is controlled using a magnetic head or an electrostatic head. The principle of moving the liquid level by magnetism is that the magnetic field distribution is biased when excited by a magnetic head, as shown in FIG. The viewpoint movement and zoom movement are realized. An example of the shape of the magnetic head coil is shown in FIG. The coil shown in FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram and is not limited to one turn. If necessary, an electrode is installed as shown in FIG. 16, and a voltage is applied between the magnetic fluid and the permeable liquid to control the liquid level. Cover the cover as necessary to prevent evaporation of the magnetic fluid. Reflection of the cover is suppressed by using non-reflective glass as necessary, or by using a cover having a partially different angle as shown in FIG. If necessary, the magnetic circuit can be improved by sandwiching the magnetic fluid with an iron ball as shown in FIG. 3, and the liquid level can be maintained in a shape closer to a spherical surface. As shown in FIG. 4, the unevenness of the liquid level is controlled by changing the distance of the permanent magnet as required. If necessary, air or a permeable fluid is filled between the magnetic fluid and the cover. If necessary, a curved surface correction yoke is installed between the permanent magnet and the magnetic fluid to finely adjust the curve of the liquid level. By installing a yoke on the permanent magnet as required, the magnetic field distribution can be improved and the leakage magnetic field to the outside can be suppressed as shown in FIG. As necessary, as shown in FIG. 18, the liquid surface distortion due to gravity is reduced by moving the permanent magnet and controlling the magnetic head. The position of the focal point fluctuates due to distortion of the image given by the magnetic fluid lens, and a part of the focus is blurred.Accordingly, the image is captured several times while moving the focus as necessary, and the image is synthesized by digital processing. Get the right image. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 do not limit the claims.

Light learning correction device As shown in Fig. 7, the liquid level of the magnetic fluid lens is changed to reflect the liquid level and move the viewpoint of the image captured by the image sensor through the lens group. Optically suppresses shaking of time. FIG. 7 does not limit the claims.

Liquid Fisheye Lens Imaging Device As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, using a magnetic fluid lens, an image reflected on the liquid surface is taken into an image sensor through a lens group. The magnetic fluid lens curve is controlled as necessary to intentionally distort the image. By correcting the distortion by digital processing as necessary, it is possible to perform digital imaging in which a part of the area is photographed in detail and the whole is photographed at a wide angle. An example is shown in FIG. Suppose that the user wants to take a detailed picture of the 801 square in the subject and also take the whole picture. When the optical zoom is performed by the conventional photographing method and the detailed photographing of 801 is performed, the surrounding squares 802 cannot be photographed. On the other hand, if the user wants to zoom out and shoot the whole image, 801 cannot be captured in detail. If a magnetic fluid lens is used here, a wide-angle image can be captured by enlarging a part like a fish-eye lens, and 801 can be photographed in detail and the whole can be photographed. Unlike a conventional fish-eye lens, it is possible to realize detailed photographing of 802 by moving the viewpoint of the magnetic fluid lens without moving the camera. When viewing captured videos and still images, provide a GUI that allows the viewer to recognize which part has detailed data as necessary, and move the viewpoint as requested by the user. Provide a user interface that can be zoomed. 5, 6 and 8 do not limit the claims.

Multi-viewpoint digital recording device and playback device The magnetic fluid lens can move the viewpoint at a relatively high speed by an electrical signal. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of viewpoints are determined, and a specific viewpoint is quickly displayed by the magnetic fluid lens. By switching and taking pictures in order, it takes multiple viewpoint videos and still images at the same time. If the recording medium is a magnetic tape, separate frames are recorded in order during recording, and only a specific viewpoint frame is picked up and played back during playback. When the recording medium is a disk or memory, recording is performed in separate data areas as necessary. If necessary, a GUI function is provided that allows the viewer to recognize that the viewer has different viewpoint information during playback, and a user interface that switches the viewpoint in response to a request from the user is provided. A function is provided in which multiple frames are displayed as necessary, and images of a plurality of viewpoints are simultaneously displayed on a display device. Note that FIG. 9 does not limit the claims.

Three-dimensional digital imaging device As shown in FIG. 10, the viewpoint of a magnetic fluid mirror is moved, and an object is captured three-dimensionally by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints. Note that FIG. 10 does not limit the claims.

360 degree digital photographing device As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, when a magnetic fluid lens and a camera are installed, a wide range of image is reflected on the liquid surface, and is taken into the image sensor through the lens group, so that it can be omnidirectional. Shooting or shooting of a part of the area is possible. As shown in FIG. 12, by moving the viewpoint of the ferrofluid mirror, an image of a specific orientation is greatly reflected on the ferrofluid lens, and the area can be photographed in detail. Image development and distortion correction are performed by digital processing as necessary. When viewing the captured data, provide a GUI that allows viewers to recognize which parts have detailed data as necessary, and if necessary, at the viewer's request, Provides a user interface for moving the viewpoint to the part. A function of detecting the movement as necessary and moving the viewpoint with a magnetic fluid lens so as to photograph the direction in detail is provided. In addition, FIG.11,12,13 does not restrict | limit a claim.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION The proposed magnetic fluid lens makes it possible to realize a large-diameter liquid lens, thereby realizing a new digital imaging technique that could not be realized with conventional fluid lenses.

Example Optical camera shake device. Fluid fisheye lens. An imaging device that captures multiple viewpoints simultaneously. Digital photography device that can perform local detailed photography and viewpoint movement. An omnidirectional digital imaging device capable of local detail photography and viewpoint movement. A specific-direction digital imaging device capable of local detail photography and viewpoint movement. A mirror device for correcting the trajectory of light rays for a projector. An astronomical telescope capable of local detail photography and viewpoint movement. A microscope that can capture local details and move the viewpoint. Sports broadcast camera that allows local detailed photography and viewpoint movement. A security camera capable of local detail photography and viewpoint movement.

Configuration diagram of magnetic fluid lens (101) Magnetic fluid (102) Magnetic head (103) Permanent magnet (104) Curved surface correction yoke (105) Yoke (106) Permeable liquid (107) Transmission to suppress evaporation of magnetic fluid Sex cover Configuration diagram of magnetic fluid lens (201) Magnetic fluid (202) Magnetic head (203) Permanent magnet (204) Curved surface correction yoke (205) Yoke (206) Permeable liquid (207) Permeation to suppress evaporation of magnetic fluid Sex cover (301) Magnetic fluid (302) Magnetic head (303) Permanent magnet (304) Yoke (305) Curved surface correction yoke (306) Permeable liquid (307) Permeation to suppress evaporation of magnetic fluid Sex cover (308) iron ball Principle of zooming with permanent magnet drive Examples of Camera Configuration (501) Magnetic Fluid Lens (502) Light Beam (503) Lens Group (No specific lens shape or configuration is shown) (504) Image Sensor Examples of camera configuration (601) Magnetic fluid lesbian (602) Light beam (603) Lens group (No specific lens shape or configuration is shown) (604) Image sensor (605) Prism or mirror Principle of optical image stabilization (701) Subject (702) Subject after movement (703) Ray of subject image (704) Ray of subject image (705) Magnetic fluid mirror before viewpoint movement (706) After viewpoint movement Magnetic fluid mirror Explanatory drawing when used as a fisheye lens (801) Black square in the center (802) Black square in the corner Illustration of the principle of multiple viewpoint shooting Illustration of the principle of 3D photography Example of 360-degree camera (1101) Magnetic fluid lens (1102) Lens group (specific lens shape and configuration are not shown) (1103) Image sensor Illustration of the principle of 360 degree camera (1201) The part where the camera is reflected (1202) The part where the surrounding image is reflected (1203) The part which is photographed in detail by moving the viewpoint Examples of 360 degree camera (1301) Magnetic fluid lens (1302) Camera part (lens group and image sensor) (1303) Mirror for taking in light from the periphery and condensing it on the magnetic fluid mirror (1304) Transmissive cover An example of the configuration of a magnetic head. (1401) Magnetic head capable of one-dimensional viewpoint movement (1402) Magnetic head capable of one-dimensional viewpoint movement and zoom movement (1403) Magnetic head capable of two-dimensional viewpoint movement and zoom movement (1404) Magnetic head capable of two-dimensional viewpoint movement Illustration of driving principle of magnetic fluid (1501) Permanent magnet (1502) Magnetic fluid (1503) Magnetic head Schematic diagram of magnetic fluid lens of electrostatic drive system (1601) Magnetic fluid (1602) Permeable liquid (1603) Permanent magnet (1604) Permeable cover for suppressing evaporation of magnetic fluid (1605) Permeable liquid and magnetic fluid Electrode for applying voltage to Illustration of magnetic circuit of magnetic fluid lens (1701) Magnetic fluid (1702) Permanent magnet (1703) Yoke (1704) Magnetic flux Explanatory drawing of gravity correction technology. The case without gravity correction from the left, the case where the permanent magnet is driven to suppress the distortion of gravity, and the case where the magnetic head suppresses the distortion of gravity.

Claims (6)

Using magnetic fluid as a mirror, if necessary, equipped with a permanent magnet for gravity correction and shape maintenance, equipped with a yoke to improve the magnetic circuit by suppressing the leakage magnetic field, if necessary, the magnetic field distribution as needed A correction yoke for adjusting and finely adjusting the magnetic fluid level curve is provided, and a magnetic head for controlling the magnetic fluid level is provided if necessary, and the magnetic fluid level is controlled as necessary. A magnetic fluid mirror comprising a conductive magnetic fluid that can be controlled by an electric current as needed, and a liquid surface of the magnetic fluid is filled with a permeable fluid as needed apparatus. Hereinafter, it is called a magnetic fluid lens. By changing the liquid level of the magnetic fluid lens, it has a function of reflecting the liquid level and moving the viewpoint of the image taken into the image sensor through the lens group and optically suppressing blurring during shooting. An optical image stabilization device characterized. By controlling the curve of the liquid level using a ferrofluid lens, it has the function of reflecting the liquid level and moving the viewpoint of the image captured by the image sensor through the lens group, and zooming, and if necessary curved surface By controlling the curve, it is possible to capture a large part of the area and shoot in detail, and if necessary, the function to correct the distortion of the video and still image after shooting. A user interface that has a GUI function that allows viewers to recognize that they have detailed information at some coordinates during video and still image playback, and moves the viewpoint and zooms by selecting specific coordinates as necessary And a function of synthesizing a moving image and a still image collected at the time of viewpoint movement and zoom movement by digital processing as necessary. By using a ferrofluid lens and shooting while switching the viewpoint, it has a function to shoot multiple viewpoints at the same time. When playing these images, the viewer has information on multiple viewpoints as necessary. It has a GUI function that can recognize this, a user interface that selects a specific viewpoint as needed and switches the display, and a function that displays a plurality of viewpoint information as separate frames on a display device as necessary. A multi-viewpoint digital recording device and a playback device. A three-dimensional digital imaging apparatus having a function of capturing an object three-dimensionally by photographing the object from a plurality of viewpoints by moving the viewpoint of the magnetic fluid lens Using a ferrofluid lens, it has a function to capture a wide range of images by capturing all or part of the image on a mirror and capturing it in an image sensor via a lens group. Equipped with functions for unfolding and correcting distortion, and with a function to capture a specific area in detail by changing the curve of the liquid level as necessary.When motion is detected on the screen as necessary, the direction It is equipped with a function to move the viewpoint to take detailed pictures, and when viewing these videos and still pictures, it is equipped with a GUI that can recognize a place with detailed information as necessary. A digital photographing apparatus having a movable user interface

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