Design and validation of a prism-based single-camera system for multi-viewpoint stereoscopic imaging

Stereoscopic imaging from multiple viewpoints offers critical advantages in machine vision and related applications, yet traditional multi-camera setups require complex synchronization mechanisms. This study introduces a prism-based single-camera stereoscopic imaging system featuring a bonded multi-sub-eye structure of prisms and plano-convex lenses. The prisms deflect light paths, while the plano-convex lenses ensure approximate parallel beam output, enabling the formation of stereo images in four distinct regions on a single image sensor. The system was experimentally validated by capturing four-viewpoint images of small objects using a single camera, achieving three-dimensional reconstruction and demonstrating its feasibility for machine vision tasks. This compact and efficient design eliminates synchronization challenges, offering a cost-effective solution for applications such as three-dimensional reconstruction and defect detection.