Apparatus and method for electro-optical split image focusing
AssigneeSamsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
InventorMasayu Higuchi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided are an electro-optical split image focusing apparatus and method through which an in-focus position of a photographed plane with respect to the image of a subject can be detected with accuracy and speed. The apparatus comprises at least one electro-optical element disposed along an optical axis between a subject and a photographed plane. The electro-optical element is characterized by a refractive index that varies with distance along a perpendicular to the optical axis when a voltage is applied. An image of the subject is transmitted toward the photographed plane through the electro-optical element.
Claims18
A split image focusing apparatus, comprising at least one electro-optical element disposed along an optical axis between a subject and a photographed plane, wherein the at least one electro-optical element is characterized by a refractive index that varies with distance along a perpendicular to the optical axis when a voltage is applied, and through which an image of the subject is transmitted toward the photographed plane.
A method for split image focus photography, the method comprising steps of:
- disposing at least one electro-optical element along an optical axis between a subject and a photographed plane, wherein the at least one electro-optical element is characterized by a refractive index that varies with distance along a perpendicular to the optical axis when a voltage is applied, and through which an image of the subject is transmitted toward the photographed plane;
- converting light transmitted through the electro-optical element and emitted from the subject into an electrical signal by using photoelectrical conversion, wherein the converting is performed by a photographing device disposed on the photographed plane on which the light transmitted through the electro-optical element and emitted from the subject is formed as an image;
- detecting an image-plane-deviation position of the image of the subject on the photographed plane that is generated by refraction in the optical element, and based on the electrical signal;
- controlling driving of a focusing lens that moves in a direction of an optical axis and focuses the image of the subject on the photographed plane;
- and
- calculating a driving position of the focusing lens based on the detected image-plane-deviation position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.