Embodiment
Below in conjunction with accompanying drawing embodiment provided by the present invention is described in further detail.
See also Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, the three-dimensional image-taking device 100 that first embodiment of the invention provides comprises that taking unit 11, the 12(of two spaces call the first taking unit 11 and the second taking unit 12 in the following text), be electrically connected and these two taking units 11,12 image process unit 13 and circuit board 14.
This first taking unit 11 comprises camera lens module 110 and is positioned at the image sensor 112 of these camera lens module 110 picture sides.This camera lens module 110 comprises lens barrel 210, microscope base 211, the first distance piece 212, the second distance piece 213, lens combination 214, infrared intercepting filter 215 and driver element 244.Lens combination 214 comprises liquid crystal lens 141 and optical lens 142, and this driver element 244 is electrically connected this liquid crystal lens 141.This optical lens 142 is made by plastics or glass.This lens barrel 210 screws togather fixing with microscope base 211 mutually.These lens barrel 210 tops offer light hole 216.
Liquid crystal lens 141, the first distance piece 212, optical lens 142, the second distance piece 213 and this infrared intercepting filter 215 all are contained in this lens barrel 210 and along the thing side of this camera lens module 110 to being arranged in order as side direction.
This liquid crystal lens 141 comprises the first transparent substrates 240, the second transparent substrates 241, the first electrode layer 242, the second electrode lay 243 and liquid crystal layer 245.
Liquid crystal layer 245 is arranged between this first transparent substrates 240 and this second transparent substrates 241.The first transparent substrates 240 is roughly parallel to the second transparent substrates 241.The material of the first transparent substrates 240 and the second transparent substrates 241 all can be selected from glass or light-passing plastic.
This first transparent substrates 240 comprises outside surface 401 and the inside surface 402 that is positioned at these the first transparent substrates 240 two opposite sides, and this first electrode layer 242 is arranged on this outside surface 401.This first electrode layer 242 comprises targets 420 of being positioned in the middle of this liquid crystal lens 141 and calls the first ring electrode 421 in the following text with concentric four ring electrodes 421,422,423, the 424(of this target 420, the second ring electrode 422, the three ring electrodes 423 and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424).This target 420 is positioned at the most inboard ring electrode 421 of this first electrode layer 242, namely in the first ring electrode 421.In the present embodiment, this target 420 is rounded, and these four ring electrodes 421,422,423,424 all are circular.
The radius of this target 420 is less than the internal diameter of this first ring electrode 421.Target 420 and ring electrode 421,422,423,424 mutually insulateds.The radius of target 420 and ring electrode 421,422,423,424 diminish gradually along the middle mind-set edge of this liquid crystal lens 141 width radially from this liquid crystal lens 141, be R〉L1〉L2〉L3〉L4, wherein, R represents the radius of target 420, and L1, L2, L3 and L4 represent respectively the first ring electrode 421, the second ring electrode 422, the 3rd ring electrode 423 and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424 along liquid crystal lens 141 width radially.In the present embodiment, two adjacent electrode close-packed arrays but mutually insulated are as separating mutually by the insulating gel water.Can understand, in the practical application, between the two adjacent electrodes micro gap can be arranged, only otherwise the optical property that affects liquid crystal lens 141 integral body gets final product.
The second transparent substrates 241 comprises outside surface 411 and the inside surface 412 that is positioned at these the second transparent substrates 241 two opposite sides.This second electrode lay 243 is arranged on this outside surface 411.The second electrode lay 243 is the plate-shaped electrode layer.The optional autoxidation indium of material tin (ITO) or the carbon nanotube film of the first electrode layer 242 and the second electrode lay 243.This carbon nanotube film comprises single wall carbon nanotube (Single-walled Carbon Nanotube, SWNT), many walls carbon nanotube (Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube, MWNT), single wall carbon nanotube bundle (SWNT Bundles), many walls carbon nanotube bundle (MWNT Bundles) or the long line of super many walls of in-line arrangement carbon nanotube (Super-aligned MWNT Yarns) etc.
Liquid crystal region 450 and 4 ring shape liquid crystal zones 451 in the middle of liquid crystal layer 245 comprises, 452,453 and 454(call 452, the three ring shape liquid crystals zone 453, the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, the second ring shape liquid crystal zones and Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region 454 in the following text).This centre liquid crystal region 450 is corresponding to the liquid crystal region between target 420 and the second electrode lay 243, the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451 is corresponding to the liquid crystal region between the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lay 243, the second ring shape liquid crystal zone 452 is corresponding to the liquid crystal region between the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lay 243, the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal zone 453 is corresponding to the liquid crystal region between the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lay 243, and Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region 454 is corresponding to the liquid crystal region between Fourth Ring shape electrode 424 and the second electrode lay 243.In the present embodiment, liquid crystal molecule is increased to the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, the second ring shape liquid crystal zone 452, the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal zone 453, Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region 454 by middle liquid crystal region 450 gradually in the distribution density of liquid crystal layer 245.
This driver element 244 is electrically connected this first electrode layer 242, this second electrode lay 243 and this image process unit 13.Particularly, driver element 244 is electrically connected respectively target 420 and 4 ring electrodes 421,422,423 and 424.This driver element 244 is used for target 420 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the first ring electrode 421 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the second ring electrode 422 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the 3rd ring electrode 423 and 243 of the second electrode lays and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424 and 243 of the second electrode lays and applies voltage radially to change the refractive index of this liquid crystal lens 141 along this liquid crystal lens 141.
During use, driver element 244 applies respectively voltage to target 420 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the first ring electrode 421 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the second ring electrode 422 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the 3rd ring electrode 423 and 243 of the second electrode lays and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424 and 243 of the second electrode lays, and each voltage that applies is respectively greater than liquid crystal layer 245 corresponding each electrodes 420,421,422,423,424 and the liquid crystal region 450,451,452,453 of 422 of the second electrode lays, 454 threshold voltage.Middle liquid crystal region 450, the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, the second ring shape liquid crystal zone 452, the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal zone 453, Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region 454 lay respectively in the electric field of relevant voltage generation.Because above-mentioned each voltage is all greater than the threshold voltage of each liquid crystal region of corresponding liquid crystal layer 245, namely greater than the deflection voltage of liquid crystal layer 245 interior liquid crystal molecules, so liquid crystal molecule can deflect, suitably the distribution of control voltage can make the deflection angle of liquid crystal molecule along mind-set edge distribution gradient in this liquid crystal lens 141.
When the length direction (lengthwise orientation) of liquid crystal molecule had above-mentioned deflection angle with respect to the direction of propagation of light, deflection angle was different, and refractive index is also different.When the length direction of liquid crystal molecule changed in the direction of propagation that is parallel to light to the direction of propagation perpendicular to light, it is large that the refractive index of liquid crystal layer becomes gradually; When the length direction of liquid crystal molecule was parallel to the direction of propagation of light, the refractive index of liquid crystal layer was minimum, and when the length direction of liquid crystal molecule during perpendicular to the direction of propagation of light, the refractive index of liquid crystal layer is maximum.Therefore, to 243 of target 420 and the second electrode lays, 243 of the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lays, 243 of the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lays, 243 of the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lays and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424 and 243 of the second electrode lays apply respectively suitable voltage can make middle liquid crystal region 450, the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, the second ring shape liquid crystal zone 452, corresponding variation occurs with the formed angle in the direction of propagation of light (being deflection angle) in the length direction of the liquid crystal molecule of the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal zone 453 and Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region 454, and then makes the refractive index of middle liquid crystal region 450, the refractive index of the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, the refractive index in the second ring shape liquid crystal zone 452, the refractive index of the refractive index in the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal zone 453 and Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region 454 presents corresponding distribution.
If the mind-set edge has the liquid crystal lens 141(GRIN Lens of graded index in the needs formation edge), driver element 244 is in 243 of target 420 and the second electrode lays, 243 of the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lays, 243 of the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lays, apply corresponding voltage on 243 of 243 of the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lays and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424 and the second electrode lays, the refractive index of liquid crystal region 450 in the middle of making, the refractive index of the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, the refractive index in the second ring shape liquid crystal zone 452, the refractive index distribution gradient of the refractive index in the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal zone 453 and Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region 454.Therefore, the refractive index of liquid crystal lens 141 can be that the mind-set edge becomes greatly gradually in this liquid crystal lens 141, or certainly in this liquid crystal lens 141 the mind-set edge diminish gradually.
As from the foregoing, the focal length of liquid crystal lens 141 can be controlled by putting on the voltage that applies on 243 of 243 of target 420 and the second electrode lays, the first ring electrode 421 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the second ring electrode 422 and 243 of the second electrode lays, the 3rd ring electrode 423 and 243 of the second electrode lays and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424 and the second electrode lays.
Microscope base 211 all is arranged on the circuit board 14 with image sensor 112, and microscope base 211 encapsulates image sensor 112 with circuit board 14.Image sensor 112 is electrically connected circuit board 14.This image sensor 112 is used for reception and passes through the light of light hole 216 and lens combination 214 to form image.Image sensor 112 optional self charge coupled apparatuses (CCD) or complementary mos device (CMOS), it has 500 ten thousand, 800 ten thousand, 1,200 ten thousand, 1,600 ten thousand, 2,000 ten thousand or 100 mega pixels (Mega pixel), and Pixel Dimensions (Pixel size) can be 1.75,1.4,1.1,0.9,0.8 or 0.6 microns.In addition, the image sensor 112 of complementary mos device (CMOS) type has the electricity-saving characteristic.
The structure of the second taking unit 12 is identical with the structure of the first taking unit 11, does not repeat them here.Please in conjunction with Fig. 4-5, below only list each assembly and the label thereof of the second taking unit 12 of using in the follow-up explanation: camera lens module 510, image sensor 512, driver element 544, the second electrode lay 543, target 520, the first ring electrode 521, the second ring electrode 522, the 3rd ring electrode 523, Fourth Ring shape electrode 524.
Distance H scope between two camera lens modules 110,510 optical axis O1, the O2 is 25-40 millimeter (mm), and in the present embodiment, this distance H is 32.5mm.
This image process unit 13 and driver element 244 are arranged on the circuit board 14 and are electrically connected circuit board 14.This image process unit 13 also is electrically connected two image sensors 112,512 also are used for receiving these two image sensors 112,512 formed two images and synthetic stereo image and be used for this driver element 244 of control in addition, 544 in target 420,520 with the second electrode lay 243,543, the first ring electrode 421,521 with the second electrode lay 243,543, the second ring electrode 422,522 with the second electrode lay 243,543, the 3rd ring electrode 423,523 with the second electrode lay 243,543 and Fourth Ring shape electrode 424,524 with the second electrode lay 243,543 apply voltage.Wherein, the second taking unit 12 comprises driver element 544, target 520, the second electrode lay 543, the first ring electrode 521, the second ring electrode 522, the 3rd ring electrode 523 and Fourth Ring shape electrode 524.
The stereo-picture of this image process unit 13 is synthetic can to adopt known stereo-picture synthetic method, and the stereo-picture output format of this image process unit 13 can be side by side form (side-by-side format) or other form.
Three-dimensional image-taking device 100 provided by the present invention, can put on voltage between a plurality of ring electrodes and the second electrode lay by control, make the refractive index of liquid crystal layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode lay can distribution gradient, thereby can form the lens with different refractivity gradient and the zoom of realizing liquid crystal lens, reduced and be used for driving drive unit and the structure that lens move in the prior art, such as motor etc., make camera lens module and three-dimensional image-taking device 100 simple in structure, be conducive to miniaturization and the lighting of three-dimensional image-taking device 100.In addition, power consumption than existing drive unit, the power consumption of liquid crystal lens is much smaller, this three-dimensional image-taking device 100 can be applied to other side with more electric energy, allow the shooting frame frequency (frame rate) of three-dimensional image-taking device 100 when taking three-dimensional video-frequency that larger dynamic range is arranged such as more electric energy, as reaching 10-90fps, be preferably 20-40fps.
See also Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 and in conjunction with Fig. 1, three-dimensional image-taking device 100 differences of a kind of three-dimensional image-taking device 600 that second embodiment of the invention provides and the first embodiment are, the first electrode layer 642 is arranged on the inside surface 602 of the first transparent substrates 640, and the second electrode lay 643 is arranged on the inside surface 612 of the second transparent substrates 641.
See also Fig. 8, three-dimensional image-taking device 100 differences of a kind of three-dimensional image-taking device 700 that third embodiment of the invention provides and the first embodiment are, 710 of lens barrels arrange a liquid crystal lens 741 and other optical lens can be set.In this case, can cancel the second distance piece, this liquid crystal lens 741, the first distance piece 712 and infrared intercepting filter 715 extremely are arranged in order as side direction along the thing side of camera lens module 810.
Be appreciated that in other embodiments, the first electrode layer can be arranged on the inside surface of the first transparent substrates, and the second electrode lay is arranged on the outside surface of the second transparent substrates; The first electrode layer can be arranged on the outside surface of the first transparent substrates, and the second electrode lay is arranged on the inside surface of the second transparent substrates.The quantity of ring electrode also can be 2,3,5 or more than, ring electrode can be square ring or other shape; Target can omit and make the inside surface in the first transparent substrates centre position and outside surface that electrode all is not set, so that the liquid crystal lens liquid crystal region corresponding with this centre position has constant refractive index.Liquid crystal molecule can be reduced to the first ring-type liquid crystal region, the second ring shape liquid crystal zone, the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal zone, Fourth Ring shape liquid crystal region by middle liquid crystal region gradually in the distribution density of liquid crystal layer.The quantity of circuit board can be 2, and correspondence arranges an image sensor on each circuit board.Image process unit can separate with image sensor and is arranged on the various boards, can carry out the transmission of image as long as guarantee between image process unit and the image sensor.Driver element also can be positioned over the outer place of dividing circuit plate, as is arranged at and waits other place on lens barrel or the microscope base, only needs to guarantee that this driver element can be all gets final product with the electric connection of liquid crystal lens, image process unit and other assembly.
In addition, those skilled in the art can also do other variation in spirit of the present invention.Certainly, the variation that these are done according to spirit of the present invention all should be included within the present invention's scope required for protection.