Camera Testing Using Virtual Images

Abstract

An apparatus for testing digital cameras includes a light booth, a virtual image generation device, and a receptacle for a digital camera. The virtual image generation device is configured to generate a plurality of test images within the light booth by projecting light rays that converge at respective focal planes in the light booth. The receptacle is configured to enable detection of the test images by the digital camera.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a light booth;   a virtual image generation device configured to generate a plurality of test images within the light booth by projecting light rays that converge at respective focal planes in the light booth; and   a receptacle for a digital camera, the receptacle being configured to enable detection of the test images by the digital camera.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the virtual image generation device is located opposite to the receptacle within the light booth; and   the respective focal planes are between the receptacle and the virtual image generation device.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of test images corresponds to a test sequence to be received from a computer system. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual image generation device is positioned within the light booth. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes an opening to the light booth. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a surface on which to place the digital camera. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a tray to receive the digital camera. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a well to receive the digital camera. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a communicative connection to a computer system, to communicatively couple the digital camera with the computer system. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured to receive a smartphone that comprises the digital camera. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the receptacle is a first receptacle; and   the apparatus comprises a plurality of receptacles including the first receptacle, the plurality of receptacles being configured to enable parallel detection of test images by a plurality of digital cameras.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual image generation device comprises a light field display. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual image generation device comprises a microlens array. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each test image of the plurality of test images corresponds to a respective focal distance with respect to the digital camera.