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 two spaced taking units 11,12 (calling the first taking unit 11 and the second taking unit 12 in the following text), be electrically connected and the image process unit 13 of these two taking units 11,12 and circuit board 14.
This first taking unit 11 comprises camera lens module 110 and is positioned at the image sensor 112 of this camera lens module 110 image side.This camera lens module 110 comprises lens barrel 210, microscope base 211, first distance piece 212, 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 up of plastics or glass.This lens barrel 210 screws togather fixing with microscope base 211 mutually.This lens barrel 210 top offers light hole 216.
Liquid crystal lens 141, first distance piece 212, optical lens 142, second distance piece 213 and this infrared intercepting filter 215 are all contained in this lens barrel 210 and thing side along this camera lens module 110 is arranged in order to direction, image side.
This liquid crystal lens 141 comprises the first transparent substrates 240, second transparent substrates 241, 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.First transparent substrates 240 is roughly parallel to the second transparent substrates 241.The equal selectable from glass of material of the first transparent substrates 240 and the second transparent substrates 241 or light-passing plastic.
This first transparent substrates 240 comprises the outside surface 401 and inside surface 402 that are 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 and is positioned at target 420 in the middle of this liquid crystal lens 141 and four ring electrodes 421,422,423,424 concentric with this target 420 (call the first ring electrode 421 in the following text, second ring electrode the 422, three ring electrode 423 and the 4th ring electrode 424).This target 420 is positioned at the ring electrode 421 of this first electrode layer 242 inner side, namely in the first ring electrode 421.In present embodiment, this target 420 is rounded, and these four ring electrodes 421,422,423,424 are all in 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 insulated.The radius of target 420 and ring electrode 421,422,423,424 diminish to edge along the width of this liquid crystal lens 141 radial direction gradually from the center of this liquid crystal lens 141, i.e. R>L1>L2>L3Grea tT.GreaT.GTL4, wherein, R represents the radius of target 420, and L1, L2, L3 and L4 represent the first ring electrode 421, second ring electrode 422, the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the 4th ring electrode 424 width along liquid crystal lens 141 radial direction respectively.In present embodiment, two adjacent electrode seal are arranged but mutually insulated, as being spaced from each other by insulative glue.Can understand, in practical application, between two adjacent electrodes, can micro gap be had, only otherwise affect the optical property of liquid crystal lens 141 entirety.
Second transparent substrates 241 comprises the outside surface 411 and inside surface 412 that are 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 plate-shaped electrode layer.Material optional autoxidation indium tin (ITO) of the first electrode layer 242 and the second electrode lay 243 or carbon nanotube film.This carbon nanotube film comprises single wall carbon nanotube (Single-walledCarbonNanotube, SWNT), many walls carbon nanotube (Multi-walledCarbonNanotube, MWNT), single wall carbon nanotube bundle (SWNTBundles), many walls carbon nanotube bundle (MWNTBundles) or the long line of super in-line arrangement many walls carbon nanotube (Super-alignedMWNTYarns) etc.
Liquid crystal layer 245 comprises middle liquid crystal region 450 and 4 ring shape liquid crystal regions 451,452,453 and 454 (call the first ring-type liquid crystal region 451 in the following text, second ring shape liquid crystal region 453, ring shape liquid crystal region the 452, three and the 4th ring-type liquid crystal region 454).This middle liquid crystal region 450 corresponds to the liquid crystal region between target 420 and the second electrode lay 243, first ring-type liquid crystal region 451 corresponds to the liquid crystal region between the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lay 243, second ring shape liquid crystal region 452 corresponds to the liquid crystal region between the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lay 243,3rd ring shape liquid crystal region 453 corresponds to the liquid crystal region between the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lay 243, and the 4th ring-type liquid crystal region 454 corresponds to the liquid crystal region between the 4th ring 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, second ring shape liquid crystal region 452, the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal region 453, the 4th ring-type liquid crystal region 454 in the distribution density of liquid crystal layer 245 gradually by middle liquid crystal region 450.
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 target 420 and 4 ring electrodes 421,422,423 and 424 respectively.This driver element 244 is for applying voltage to change the refractive index of this liquid crystal lens 141 along this liquid crystal lens 141 radial direction between target 420 and the second electrode lay 243, between the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lay 243, between the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lay 243, between the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lay 243 and between the 4th ring electrode 424 and the second electrode lay 243.
During use, driver element 244 applies voltage respectively between target 420 and the second electrode lay 243, between the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lay 243, between the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lay 243, between the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lay 243 and between the 4th ring electrode 424 and the second electrode lay 243, and each voltage applied be greater than respectively corresponding each electrode of liquid crystal layer 245 420,421,422, the threshold voltage of liquid crystal region 450,451,452,453,454 between 423,424 and the second electrode lay 422.Middle liquid crystal region 450, first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, second ring shape liquid crystal region 452, the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal region 453, the 4th ring-type liquid crystal region 454 lay respectively in the electric field of relevant voltage generation.Because each voltage above-mentioned is all greater than the threshold voltage of each liquid crystal region of corresponding liquid crystal layer 245, namely the deflection voltage of liquid crystal molecule in liquid crystal layer 245 is greater than, so liquid crystal molecule can deflect, the distribution of suitable control voltage, can make the deflection angle of liquid crystal molecule along this liquid crystal lens 141 center to edge distribution gradient.
When the length direction (lengthwiseorientation) of liquid crystal molecule has above-mentioned deflection angle relative to the direction of propagation of light, deflection angle is different, and refractive index is also different.The length direction of liquid crystal molecule is when the direction of propagation being parallel to light changes to the direction of propagation perpendicular to light, and the refractive index of liquid crystal layer becomes large gradually; When the length direction of liquid crystal molecule is parallel to the direction of propagation of light, the refractive index of liquid crystal layer is minimum, and when the direction of propagation perpendicular to light of the length direction of liquid crystal molecule, the refractive index of liquid crystal layer is maximum.Therefore, to between target 420 and the second electrode lay 243, between the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lay 243, between the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lay 243, apply suitable voltage respectively between the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lay 243 and between the 4th ring electrode 424 and the second electrode lay 243 and can make middle liquid crystal region 450, first ring-type liquid crystal region 451, second ring shape liquid crystal region 452, corresponding change is there is in the length direction of liquid crystal molecule of the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal region 453 and the 4th ring-type liquid crystal region 454 with the angle that the direction of propagation of light is formed (i.e. deflection angle), and then make 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 region 452, the refractive index in the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal region 453 presents corresponding distribution to the refractive index of the 4th ring-type liquid crystal region 454.
If need to form the liquid crystal lens 141 (GRINLens) centrally to edge with graded index, driver element 244 is between target 420 and the second electrode lay 243, between the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lay 243, between the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lay 243, 3rd ring electrode 423 above applies corresponding voltage between the second electrode lay 243 and between the 4th ring electrode 424 and the second electrode lay 243, make 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 region 452, the refractive index in the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal region 453 and the refractive index distribution gradient of the 4th ring-type liquid crystal region 454.Therefore, the refractive index of liquid crystal lens 141 can be become large gradually to edge from this liquid crystal lens 141 center, or diminishes gradually to edge from this liquid crystal lens 141 center.
As from the foregoing, the focal length of liquid crystal lens 141 controls by putting on the voltage above applied between target 420 and the second electrode lay 243, between the first ring electrode 421 and the second electrode lay 243, between the second ring electrode 422 and the second electrode lay 243, between the 3rd ring electrode 423 and the second electrode lay 243 and between the 4th ring electrode 424 and the second electrode lay 243.
Microscope base 211 and image sensor 112 are all arranged on circuit board 14, and image sensor 112 encapsulates by microscope base 211 and circuit board 14.Image sensor 112 is electrically connected circuit board 14.This image sensor 112 is for receiving by the light of light hole 216 and lens combination 214 to form image.The optional self charge coupled apparatus (CCD) of image sensor 112 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 (Megapixel), and Pixel Dimensions (Pixelsize) 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 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.Incorporated by reference to Fig. 4-5, only list each assembly and the label thereof of the second taking unit 12 used in follow-up explanation below: camera lens module 510, image sensor 512, driver element 544, the second electrode lay 543, target 520, first ring electrode 521, second ring electrode 522, the 3rd ring electrode 523, the 4th ring electrode 524.
The distance H scope between optical axis O1, O2 of two camera lens modules 110,510 is 25-40 millimeter (mm), and in present embodiment, this distance H is 32.5mm.
This image process unit 13 and driver element 244 to be arranged on circuit board 14 and to be electrically connected circuit board 14.This image process unit 13 is also electrically connected two image sensors 112, 512 and for receiving this two image sensors 112, 512 two images formed in addition synthetic stereo image and for controlling this driver element 244, 544 in target 420, 520 with the second electrode lay 243, between 543, first ring electrode 421, 521 with the second electrode lay 243, between 543, second ring electrode 422, 522 with the second electrode lay 243, between 543, 3rd ring electrode 423, 523 with the second electrode lay 243, between 543 and the 4th ring electrode 424, 524 with the second electrode lay 243, voltage is applied between 543.Wherein, the second taking unit 12 comprises driver element 544, target 520, the second electrode lay 543, first ring electrode 521, second ring electrode 522, the 3rd ring electrode 523 and the 4th ring electrode 524.
The stereo-picture synthesis of this image process unit 13 can adopt known stereo-picture synthetic method, and the stereo-picture output format of this image process unit 13 can be side-by-side format (side-by-sideformat) or other form.
Three-dimensional image-taking device 100 provided by the present invention, by controlling the voltage put between multiple ring electrode and the second electrode lay, enable the refractive index distribution gradient of liquid crystal layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode lay, thus the lens with different refractivity gradient can be formed and the zoom realizing liquid crystal lens, decrease in prior art for driving drive unit and the structure of lens movement, as motor etc., make camera lens module and three-dimensional image-taking device 100 structure simply, be conducive to miniaturization and the lighting of three-dimensional image-taking device 100.In addition, compared to the power consumption of existing drive unit, the power consumption of liquid crystal lens is much smaller, more electric energy can be applied to other side by this three-dimensional image-taking device 100, as more electric energy allows the shooting frame frequency (framerate) of three-dimensional image-taking device 100 when taking three-dimensional video-frequency to have larger dynamic range, as 10-90fps can be reached, be preferably 20-40fps.
Refer to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 and composition graphs 1, a kind of three-dimensional image-taking device 600 that second embodiment of the invention provides and three-dimensional image-taking device 100 difference of the first embodiment are, 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.
Refer to Fig. 8, a kind of three-dimensional image-taking device 700 that third embodiment of the invention provides and three-dimensional image-taking device 100 difference of the first embodiment are, lens barrel 710 only arranges a liquid crystal lens 741 and can not arrange other optical lens.In this case, can cancel the second distance piece, this liquid crystal lens 741, first distance piece 712 and infrared intercepting filter 715 are arranged in order along the thing side of camera lens module 810 to direction, image side.
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; 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, 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 all not arrange electrode, makes the liquid crystal lens liquid crystal region corresponding with this centre position have constant refractive index.Liquid crystal molecule can be reduced to the first ring-type liquid crystal region, the second ring shape liquid crystal region, the 3rd ring shape liquid crystal region, the 4th ring-type 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 on each circuit board, correspondence arranges an image sensor.Image process unit and image sensor can be provided separately in various boards, as long as ensure the transmission carrying out image between image process unit and image sensor.Driver element also can be positioned over the place outside dividing circuit plate, as local in being arranged on lens barrel or microscope base etc. other, only need ensure this driver element can all 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 change in spirit of the present invention.Certainly, these changes done according to the present invention's spirit, all should be included within the present invention's scope required for protection.