Summary of the invention
The present invention, just based on above-mentioned technical matters, proposes a kind of new imaging device and formation method.
In view of this, the present invention proposes a kind of imaging device, comprising: polarized light generating device, for incident ray being converted to the polarized light with single polarization direction; At least one optical unit, at least one optical unit described comprises at least one automatically controlled polarized light rotary device and at least one polarized light lens, and described polarized light is incident at least one automatically controlled polarized light rotary device described and at least one polarized light lens described successively; Driving circuit, be connected at least one automatically controlled polarized light rotary device described, at least one automatically controlled polarized light rotary device described changes the polarization direction of described polarized light according to the drive singal that driving circuit provides; Nonpolarized light lens combination, described polarized light is incident to described nonpolarized light lens combination after at least one optical unit described; And image acquisition units, for gather via described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device modulation and through the polarized light of described nonpolarized light lens combination synthetic image.
In the above-described embodiment, described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device can switch the polarization direction being incident to its glazing fast, the polarized light of described polarized light lens focus specific direction, states the focal length of polarized light lens by adjustment, thus the image of the different focused condition of quick obtaining continuous print.Image under the different focused condition of described continuous print, can carry out the depth survey etc. of scene by the method for DFF (Depth-from-Focus) or DFD (Depth-from-Defocus).
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, at least one automatically controlled polarized light rotary device described is twisted nematic liquid crystal box.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, at least one polarized light lens described are the lens using liquid crystal material to make.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, the angle be incident to described between polarization direction that the polarization direction of the polarized light of described polarized light lens and described polarized light lens can play the polarized light of modulating action is 0 degree.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, the angle be incident to described between polarization direction that the polarization direction of the polarized light of described polarized light lens and described polarized light lens can play the polarized light of modulating action is 90 degree or 270 degree.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, when described imaging device comprises an optical unit, described optical unit comprises an automatically controlled polarized light rotary device and polarized light lens, and when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is 0 degree, the image that described image acquisition units generates is focus image and the synthesis of out-of-focus image formed by the light component of described nonpolarized light lens combination modulation formed by the light component of equivalent lens modulation that formed by described polarized light lens and described nonpolarized light lens combination.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is 0 degree, in described image acquisition units, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
1=Img(cos(θ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ))r,fo)
Wherein, Img (r, f) be an image function, representing light component is r, the picture that corresponding focal length can become for f, θ represents the angle between the polarization direction of the polarized light that the polarization direction of the polarized light being incident to described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device is corresponding with described polarized light lens, f (fp, fo, d) equivalent focal length of described polarized light lens and described nonpolarized light lens combination is stated, fp is the focal length of described polarized light lens, fo is the focal length of described nonpolarized light lens combination, d is the distance between the principal point of described polarized light lens and the principal point of described nonpolarized light lens combination.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, when the polarization direction anglec of rotation of the described polarized light be incident on it is γ by described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device, in described image acquisition units, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
2=Img(cos(θ+γ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ+γ))r,fo)。
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, described imaging device comprises an optical unit, described optical unit comprises the multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device be arranged in order and the multiple polarized light lens be arranged in order, and the angle that the polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it rotates by each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device is not identical.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, the angular range that described multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device is incident to the polarization direction of the polarized light on it according to the drive singal change that driving circuit provides is: 0 degree to 360 degree.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, described imaging device comprises the multiple optical units be arranged in order, each optical unit comprises at least one automatically controlled polarized light rotary device and at least one polarized light lens, and the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device of each optical unit is just to the polarized light lens of adjacent optical unit.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, described imaging device comprises the multiple optical units be arranged in order, each optical unit comprises an automatically controlled polarized light rotary device and polarized light lens, the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device of each optical unit is just to the polarized light lens of adjacent optical unit, and the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device of each optical unit is just to the polarized light lens of adjacent optical unit.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, described imaging device comprises the multiple optical units be arranged in order, at least one optical unit comprises multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device and multiple polarized light lens, the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device of each optical unit is just to the polarized light lens of adjacent optical unit, and the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device of each optical unit is just to the polarized light lens of adjacent optical unit.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, described imaging device comprises the multiple optical units be arranged in order, each optical unit comprises multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device and multiple polarized light lens, the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device of each optical unit is just to the polarized light lens of adjacent optical unit, and the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device of each optical unit is just to the polarized light lens of adjacent optical unit.
According to a further aspect in the invention, additionally provide a kind of formation method, it is characterized in that, comprising: incident ray is converted to the polarized light with single polarization direction; By automatically controlled polarized light rotary device, the polarization direction of described polarized light is rotated to predetermined direction; In the first moment, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is 0 degree, gather the light signal through described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device, polarized light lens and nonpolarized light lens combination, convert described light signal to electric signal and generate the first image; In the second moment, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is non-zero spending, gather the light signal through described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device, polarized light lens and nonpolarized light lens combination, convert described light signal to electric signal and generate the second image; And by processing described first image and described second image, thus obtain final image.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is 0 degree, in described image acquisition units, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
1=Img(cos(θ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ))r,fo)
Wherein, Img (r, f) be an image function, representing light component is r, the picture that corresponding focal length can become for f, θ represents the angle between the polarization direction of the polarized light that the polarization direction of the polarized light being incident to described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device is corresponding with described polarized light lens, f (fp, fo, d) equivalent focal length of described polarized light lens and described nonpolarized light lens combination is stated, fp is the focal length of described polarized light lens, fo is the focal length of described nonpolarized light lens combination, d is the distance between the principal point of described polarized light lens and the principal point of described nonpolarized light lens combination.
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is γ, in described image acquisition units, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
2=Img(cos(θ+γ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ+γ))r,fo)。
In above-mentioned arbitrary technical scheme, preferably, when automatically controlled polarized light rotary device is multiple, the angle that the polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it rotates by each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device is not identical, optionally control one of them automatically controlled polarized light rotary device, rotate to predetermined direction to be made the polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it by described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device.
Embodiment
In order to more clearly understand above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, feature and advantage, below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments, the present invention is further described in detail.It should be noted that, when not conflicting, the feature in the embodiment of the application and embodiment can combine mutually.
Set forth a lot of detail in the following description so that fully understand the present invention, but the present invention can also adopt other to be different from other modes described here and implement, and therefore, the present invention is not limited to the restriction of following public specific embodiment.
The structural representation of the imaging device 100 that Fig. 1 provides for first embodiment of the invention.Described imaging device 100 comprises: polarized light generating device 11, optical unit 12, driving circuit 13, nonpolarized light lens combination 14 and an image acquisition units 15.
In the present embodiment, described polarized light generating device 11 refers to and incident ray (its can for having the light of different polarization directions) is converted to the polarized light with single polarization direction, and such as it can be polaroid.
In the present embodiment, described optical unit 12 comprises an automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 and polarized light lens 122.Described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is arranged between described polarized light generating device 11 and described polarized light lens 122.Described driving circuit 13 is connected to described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121.
Described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 refers to the device polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it being rotated a certain fixed angle, by controlling to apply electric signal thereon, thus control described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it is switched between rotation 0 degree and non-zero degree two states.The drive singal provided according to driving circuit 13 changes the polarization direction of described polarized light.In the present embodiment, described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is twisted nematic liquid crystal box (TN box), it can the polarization direction of a certain fixed angle of change (being generally 90 degree) polarized light at a high speed, and its switching frequency can reach 120 frames/more than second.
Described polarized light lens 122 refer to and only play modulating action (congregation) for single polarization direction, and other polarization directions are not played to the lens of modulating action (congregation), such as it can such as, for using the lens of liquid crystal material, liquid crystal lens.Suppose that the direction of polarized light being incident to described polarized light lens 122 is parallel with the polarization direction that described polarized light lens 122 can play the polarized light of modulating action, now all light all can be polarized optical lens 122 and assembles.During angle increaseization between the polarized light polarization direction that modulating action can play in the polarization polarisation of light side and described polarized light lens 122 that are incident to described polarized light lens 122, its light component on polarized light lens 122 polarization direction reduces, and the light quantity thus obtaining assembling also can reduce.When being incident to the polarization direction 90-degree rotation of polarized light of described polarized light lens 122 or 270 degree, this light component is 0, and all polarized lights being incident to described polarized light lens 122 all can not be assembled by described polarized light lens 122.Be understandable that, in the present embodiment, described driving circuit 13 also can provide driving electric signal for described polarized light lens 122.
Described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 is arranged on the side away from described polarized light generating device 11 of described optical unit 12, described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 is play single lens or the nonpolarized light lens combination of converging action for random polarization light, such as conventional glass lens or plastic lens.In the present embodiment, described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 comprises lens, is understandable that, described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 can comprise two or more lens.
Described image acquisition units 15 is arranged on the side away from described polarized light generating device 11 away from described nonpolarized light lens combination 14.Described image acquisition units 15 gather to modulate via described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 and through described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 polarized light and generate the sensor of digital picture, such as CCD or cmos image sensor.If external environment only near infrared light or near infrared light and natural light mix light, then this imageing sensor 15 can be infrared sensor, or comprises the sensor of visible ray and the photosensitive pixel of infrared light simultaneously.
In the present embodiment, comprising a secondary light source 16 further can be one or several visible light sources such as visible ray LED lamps, also can be one or several infrared or near-infrared light sources, such as infrared laser or infrared LED lamp array.Further, according to application demand, can place before described secondary light source 16 can the grating of formation rule pattern or other can form the grating of random pattern, increase the texture of scene.
The principle of work of described imaging device 100 imaging is as follows:
External environmental light is the light without polarization state, and first light inject described polarized light generating device 13, and light is converted into the polarized light with single polarization direction by described polarized light generating device 13, and then polarized light injects described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121.In the present embodiment, described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 makes described polarized light rotate to predetermined direction according to driving circuit 13 signal.Fig. 2 illustrates the described automatically controlled polarization direction of polarized light rotary device 121 to the polarized light be incident on it and does not rotate, index path when namely the anglec of rotation is 0 degree.Fig. 3 illustrates described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 and rotates completely the polarized light be incident on it, index path when namely the anglec of rotation is 90 degree.Described polarized light lens 122 are below incided by the polarized light after described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121, then through nonpolarized light lens combination 14 subsequently, finally imaging in described image acquisition units 15.
Described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 can switch the polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it fast, described polarized light lens 122 focus on the polarized light of specific direction, the focal length of polarized light lens 122 is stated by adjustment, thus the image of the different focused condition of quick obtaining continuous print.Image under the different focused condition of described continuous print, can carry out the depth survey etc. of scene by the method for DFF (Depth-from-Focus) or DFD (Depth-from-Defocus).
Particularly, the process of described imaging device 100 imaging is as follows:
Suppose that the light total amount injecting described polarized light lens 122 is r, wherein a part of light component α r can be assembled by described polarized light lens 122, the remaining light component can not assembled by described polarized light lens 122 is (1-α) r, this part light will directly through described polarized light lens 122, finally, two parts light component can be assembled by described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 below.Described polarized light lens 122 can only play convergence effect for the light of a certain polarization direction, thus the size of α is determined by the angle theta be incident between described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device polarisation of light direction and the polarization direction of described polarized light lens 122, and we have α=cos (θ).Suppose that the focal length of described polarized light lens 122 is fp, the focal length of described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 is fo, distance between the principal point of described polarized light lens 122 and the principal point of described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 is d, then can push away to obtain Part I light component according to compound lens formula, the light component can assembled by described polarized light lens 122, corresponding equivalent focal length
function f (f1, f2 ..., fm, d1, d2,, dm-1) and be the equivalent focal length computing function of compound lens, this function is according to known focal length of lens f1, f2 ..., the distance d1 between fm and adjacent lens, d2 ..., dm-1, calculates the equivalent focal length of lens combination.The light component of remaining part, the light component namely can not assembled by described polarized light lens 122, corresponding focal length is fo.Formed by this device final, image I meets following formula,
I=Img(αr,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-α)r,fo)
Particularly, Img (r, f) is an image function, and representing light component is r, the image that corresponding focal length can become for f.In whole imaging process, only have light component r and focal distance f to change, the factor such as image distance of other influences imaging, object distance, image acquisition units response function etc. does not all change.We can see, the image I of final generation is the superposition of two pictures: one of them is as Img (α r, f (fp, fo, d)) to be light component be α r through equivalent focal length be f (fp, fo, d) equivalent lens assemble formed focus image, focus image formed by the light component also namely modulated by the equivalent lens formed by described polarized light lens 122 and 14 groups, described lens; Another is as Img ((1-α) r, fo) be then light component for (1-α) r is through the focal length out-of-focus image formed by described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 that is fo, out-of-focus image formed by the light component also namely modulated by described nonpolarized light lens combination 14.When α <0.5, α more hour, or α >0.5, when α is larger, the ratio gap of two width images is more greatly different.Especially, as α=cos (θ)=0, namely θ is 90 degree, when the angle be namely incident between the polarization direction of the polarized light of described polarized light lens 122 and the polarization direction of described polarized light lens 122 is 90 degree, and I=Img (r, fo).As α=cos (θ)=1, namely θ is 0 degree, when the angle namely between the polarization direction of incident light and the polarization direction of described polarized light lens 122 is 0 degree, and I=Img (r, f (fp, fo, d)).
It can thus be appreciated that namely when α=0 or 1, final imaging is no longer the superposition of different focal photoimaging, but image formed by the corresponding same focal distance f (fp, fo, d) of all light components or fo.
Each described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 can switch rotating incident polarized light under a fixed angle and non rotating (angle that namely described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 21 makes the polarization direction of the described polarized light be incident on it rotate is 0 degree) two states.Supposing to enter into angle between polarization direction that polarisation of light direction before described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 and described polarized light lens 122 can play the polarized light of modulating action is θ, and described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 can make the polarization direction anglec of rotation γ of the described polarized light be incident on it.The angle that the polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it can rotate by described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is 0 degree (we are set to state t1) and the anglec of rotation is switch under two states of γ (we are set to state t2).
The angle polarization direction of the described polarized light be incident on it being rotated when described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 21 is 0 degree, namely described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 do not change described in when being incident to the polarization direction of the polarized light on it, namely, when state t1, in described image acquisition units 15, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
1=Img(cos(θ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ))r,fo)
When described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is by the polarization direction anglec of rotation γ of the described polarized light be incident on it, namely when state t2, in described image acquisition units, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
2=Img(cos(θ+γ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ+γ))r,fo)。
In other words, under t1 state gained similarly to be light component be α 1r through equivalent focal length be f (fp, fo, d) equivalent lens assembles formed focus image and light component for (1-α 1) r superposing through the focal length out-of-focus image formed by described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 that is fo, under t2 state gained similarly to be light component be α 2r through equivalent focal length be f (fp, fo, d) equivalent lens assemble formed focus image and light component for (1-α 2) r superposing through the focal length out-of-focus image formed by described nonpolarized light lens combination 14 that is fo.
When between the polarization direction that the polarized light of modulating action can be played in the polarization direction and described polarized light lens 122 of inciding the polarized light before described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121, angle theta is 0, and the anglec of rotation γ that rotated by above-mentioned polarized light of described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is when being 90 degree, in other words, when state t1, the polarization direction of the polarized light on it is incident to described in described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 does not change, namely the angle be incident between polarization direction that the polarization direction of the polarized light of described polarized light lens 122 and described polarized light lens 122 can play the polarized light of modulating action is 0 degree, and when state t2, described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is by the polarization direction anglec of rotation 90 degree of the described polarized light be incident on it, namely the angle be incident between polarization direction that the polarization direction of the polarized light of described polarized light lens 122 and described polarized light lens 122 can play the polarized light of modulating action be 90 degree or 270 degree time,
I
1=Img(r,f(fp,fo,d)),I
2=Img(r,fo)
When between the polarization direction that the polarized light of modulating action can be played in the polarization direction and described polarized light lens 122 of inciding the polarized light before described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121, angle theta is 90, and the anglec of rotation γ that rotated by above-mentioned polarized light of described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is when being 90 degree, in other words, when state t1, the polarization direction of the polarized light on it is incident to described in described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 does not change, namely the angle be incident between polarization direction that the polarization direction of the polarized light of described polarized light lens 122 and described polarized light lens 122 can play the polarized light of modulating action is 90 degree, and when state t2, described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 121 is by the polarization direction anglec of rotation 90 degree of the described polarized light be incident on it, namely when the angle be incident between polarization direction that the polarization direction of the polarized light of described polarized light lens 122 and described polarized light lens 122 can play the polarized light of modulating action is 0 degree,
I
1=Img(r,fo),I
2=Img(r,f(fp,fo,d))
That is, the image of our gained under t1 and t2 state is that the corresponding focal length of all light components is for being respectively the formed image of f (fp, fo, d) and fo or fo and f (fp, fo, d).
The structural representation of the imaging device 200 that Fig. 4 provides for second embodiment of the invention.The structure of described imaging device 200 is substantially identical with described imaging device 100, and it comprises: polarized light generating device 21, optical unit 22, driving circuit 23, nonpolarized light lens combination 24 and an image acquisition units 25; Difference is: described optical unit 22 comprises multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 and multiple polarized light lens 222.In the present embodiment, described multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 is arranged in a line, and it is evenly arranged between described polarized light generating device 21 and described multiple polarized light lens 222.Described multiple polarized light lens 222 are arranged into a line, and it is evenly arranged between described multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 and described nonpolarized light lens combination 24.Wherein, the angle that rotated the polarization direction of polarized light be incident on it of each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 is not identical.
Be understandable that, in the present embodiment, the quantity of described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 is one or two, and the quantity of described polarized light lens 222 is multiple; Or the quantity of described polarized light lens 222 is one or two, and the quantity of described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 is multiple.
Particularly, the principle of work of described imaging device 200 imaging is as follows:
The polarized light be incident on it can switch fast by described multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 under different polarization angle state.When described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 quantity reaches certain value, the polarization angle scope that described multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 changes described polarized light according to the drive singal that described driving circuit 23 provides can be 0 to 360 degree.It can thus be appreciated that, according to demand, optionally can control certain automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 by described drive singal, thus the polarization angle of the polarized light be incident on it is rotated to predetermined polarization angle.Because the polarized light be incident on it can switch fast by described multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 under different polarization angle state, thus we just can fast in the imaging not obtaining different focused condition in the same time respectively.
Particularly, the process of described imaging device 200 imaging is as follows:
Suppose that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 quantity is n (n>=1), described polarized light lens 222 quantity is m (m>=1).Suppose that the angle that i-th automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221 rotates is γ i degree, it is θ j that described polarized light generating device 21 generates angle between the polarization direction of polarized light and the polarization direction of a jth polarized light lens 222, the focal length of a jth polarized light lens 222 is fj, a jth polarized light lens 222 are dj apart from jth+1 polarized light lens 222 (as j=m, being nonpolarized light lens combination) distance herein.Because any one automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 221i all can rotate non-zero angle making the polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it and switch under rotating 0 degree of two state, thus we can obtain 2 altogether in theory
nindividual polarized light state, with Ck, we represent that kth (is be more than or equal to 1 to be less than or equal to 2
ninteger) angle that individual polarized light state rotates, we are 2
nindividually can not obtain 2 respectively in the same time
nthe image generated under individual different focused condition, any one all can regard 2 as Ik
mthe superposition of individual picture, each picture is a certain light component image formed by the equivalent focal length fk.As m=1, it is the superposition of 2 pictures that Ik can regard as,
Ik=Img(cos(θ1+Ck)r,f(f1,fo,d1))+Img((1-cos(θ1+Ck))r,f(fo));
As m=2, it is the superposition of 4 pictures that Ik can regard as,
Ii=Img(cos(θ1)cos(θ2)r,f(f1,f2,fo,d1,d2))+Img((1-cos(θ1))cos(θ2)r,f(f2,fo,d2))+Img(cos(θ1)(1-cos(θ2))r,f(f1,fo,d1+d2))+Img((1-cos(θ1))(1-cos(θ2))r,f(fo))
The like, finally each image Ik can regard 2 as
mthe superposition of the image of individual corresponding different focal.
The structural representation of the imaging device 300 that Fig. 5 provides for third embodiment of the invention.The structure of described imaging device 300 is substantially identical with described imaging device 100, and it comprises: polarized light generating device 31, optical unit 32, driving circuit 33, nonpolarized light lens combination 34 and image acquisition units 35; Difference is: described imaging device 300 comprises multiple optical unit 32.In the present embodiment, described imaging device 300 comprises three optical units 32, and each optical unit 32 comprises an automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 and polarized light lens 322, and the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 of each optical unit 32 is just to the polarized light lens 322 of adjacent optical unit 32.These three groups of optical units 32 are arranged in a line, are arranged between described polarized light generating device 31 and described nonpolarized light lens combination 34.In other words, described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 and described polarized light lens 322 are disposed between described polarized light generating device 31 and described nonpolarized light lens combination 34.
Be understandable that, described imaging device 300 also can comprise the optical unit 32 of more than two optical units 32 or three.Wherein, the angle that rotated the polarization direction of polarized light be incident on it of each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 is not identical.
Particularly, the process of described imaging device 300 imaging is as follows:
The quantity supposing described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 is n1, and the quantity of described polarized light lens 322 is m1.Image-forming principle and the process of image-forming principle now and process and the imaging device 100 that the first embodiment provides are consistent.Particularly, two states of the angle 0 degree that we can make the polarization direction of the described polarized light be incident on it rotate by each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 of control or non-zero degree, make polarized light now altogether can form 2
n1individual state, under each state, formed image is 2
m1the superposition of individual picture.Afterwards, again discharge one or several automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 and one or several polarized light lens 322, if the quantity of the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 321 that this moment adds is n2, the quantity of polarized light lens 322 is m2, then the polarized light state that now we can produce is 2
n1+n2, the image generated under each state is 2
m1+m2the superposition of individual picture.By that analogy, suppose that finally having all automatically controlled polarized light rotary device quantity is n, all polarized light lens numbers are m, and finally this imaging system has 2
nindividual image formation state, the image under each state is 2
mthe superposition of individual picture.
The structural representation of the imaging device 400 that Fig. 6 provides for fourth embodiment of the invention.The structure of described imaging device 400 is substantially identical with described imaging device 300, and it comprises: polarized light generating device 41, multiple optical unit 42, driving circuit 43, nonpolarized light lens combination 44 and image acquisition units 45; Difference is: one of them optical unit 42 comprises multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 421 and multiple polarized light lens 422, and the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 421 of each optical unit 42 is just to the polarized light lens 422 of adjacent optical unit 42.Particularly, in the present embodiment, described imaging device 400 comprises three optical units 42, and the optical unit 42 being arranged on centre comprises multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 421 and multiple polarized light lens 422.Wherein, the angle that rotated the polarization direction of polarized light be incident on it of each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 421 is not identical.
Be understandable that, described imaging device 400 also can comprise two or more optical units 42, and one of them optical unit 42 comprises multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 421 and/or multiple polarized light lens 422.
From the above, the image-forming principle of described imaging device 400 is substantially identical with imaging process with the image-forming principle of imaging process and described imaging device 300, does not repeat them here.
The structural representation of the imaging device 500 that Fig. 7 provides for fifth embodiment of the invention.The structure of described imaging device 500 is substantially identical with described imaging device 300, and it comprises: polarized light generating device 51, multiple optical unit 52, driving circuit 53, nonpolarized light lens combination 54 and image acquisition units 55; Difference is: at least two optical units 52 comprise multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 521 and/or multiple polarized light lens 522, and the automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 521 of each optical unit 52 is just to the polarized light lens 522 of adjacent optical unit 52.Wherein, the angle that rotated the polarization direction of polarized light be incident on it of each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 521 is not identical.
In the present embodiment, described imaging device 500 comprises multiple optical unit 52, and each optical unit 52 comprises multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 521 and multiple polarized light lens 522.Be understandable that, in other embodiments, each optical unit 52 also only can comprise multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 521 or multiple polarized light lens 522; Or only wherein two optical units 52 comprise multiple automatically controlled polarized light rotary device 521 and/or multiple polarized light lens 522.
From the above, the image-forming principle of described imaging device 500 is substantially identical with imaging process with the image-forming principle of imaging process and described imaging device 300, does not repeat them here.
The schematic flow sheet of the formation method 600 that Fig. 8 provides for sixth embodiment of the invention, it can comprise the following steps:
Step 601: incident ray is converted to the polarized light with single polarization direction.In the present embodiment, by polarized light generating device, the light be incident on it is converted to the polarized light of a certain polarization direction, usually, described polarized light generating device can be polaroid.
Step 602: the polarization direction of described polarized light is rotated to predetermined direction by automatically controlled polarized light rotary device.In the present embodiment, by twisted nematic liquid crystal box, the polarization direction of described polarized light is rotated to predetermined direction.Due to each automatically controlled polarized light rotary device can the polarization direction of the polarized light be incident on it is rotated a non-zero fixed angle and rotate 0 degree two states under switch, therefore, when the quantity of described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device reaches certain value, can be according to demand, optionally control automatically controlled polarized light rotary device described in one of them, thus make the polarization angle scope of incident polarized light be any one angle in 0 to 360 degree.
Step 603: in the first moment, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is 0 degree, gather the light signal through described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device, polarized light lens and nonpolarized light lens combination, convert described light signal to electric signal and generate the first image.In the present embodiment, by image acquisition units, light signal is converted into electric signal and the sensor of production figures image, such as CCD or cmos image sensor.
Particularly, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is 0 degree, in described image acquisition units, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
1=Img(cos(θ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ))r,fo)
Wherein, θ represents the angle between the polarization direction of the polarized light that the polarization direction of the polarized light being incident to described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device is corresponding with described polarized light lens, f (fp, fo, d) equivalent focal length of described polarized light lens and described nonpolarized light lens combination is stated, fp is the focal length of described polarized light lens, and fo is the focal length of described nonpolarized light lens combination, and d is the distance between the principal point of described polarized light lens and the principal point of described nonpolarized light lens combination.
Step 604: in the second moment, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is non-zero spending, gather the light signal through described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device, polarized light lens and nonpolarized light lens combination, convert described light signal to electric signal and generate the second image.
Particularly, when the angle that described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device makes the polarization direction of described polarized light rotate is γ, in described image acquisition units, the image of final one-tenth is expressed as formula:
I
2=Img(cos(θ+γ)r,f(fp,fo,d))+Img((1-cos(θ+γ))r,fo)。
Step 605: by processing described first image and described second image, thus obtain final image.
Because described automatically controlled polarized light rotary device can change the polarization direction to the polarized light on it rapidly, and can change focal length rapidly by described polarized light lens, thus the image under the different focused condition of continuous print can be generated fast.Image under the different focused condition of described continuous print, can carry out the depth survey etc. of scene by the method for DFF (Depth-from-Focus) or DFD (Depth-from-Defocus).
The foregoing is only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, be not limited to the present invention, for a person skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations.Within the spirit and principles in the present invention all, any amendment done, equivalent replacement, improvement etc., all should be included within protection scope of the present invention.