Virtual image and real image fused optical imaging system
An optical imaging system using an image sensor, four imaging lenses, and a beam combiner solves the problems of complex structure and high cost in virtual and real image fusion systems, achieving high-precision, low-cost image fusion effects suitable for various environments.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing optical systems for fusing virtual and real images are complex in structure, costly, and produce poor fusion results, which limits their application, especially in low-cost and variable environments.
An optical imaging system consisting of an image sensor, four imaging lenses, and a beam combiner coated with a beam splitter is designed to achieve the same size and brightness fusion of virtual and real images. The beam splitter of the beam combiner is used to achieve a balanced beam design, avoiding visual misalignment caused by differences in brightness and size.
It achieves high-precision, natural and realistic image fusion, reduces material and manufacturing costs, adapts to various ambient lighting conditions, and improves the accuracy and comfort of judgment when aiming or observing.
Smart Images
Figure CN121806280A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optical imaging technology, and in particular relates to an optical imaging system that fuses virtual images with real images. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of aiming and imaging, to achieve higher aiming accuracy and better imaging results, it is often necessary to effectively fuse virtual images with real-world images to create a faster and more realistic visual experience. Virtual images typically originate from images generated by electronic devices such as image sensors and projected onto the human eye, while real-world images are the actual scenes directly observed by the human eye. High-precision matching and fusion of these two images helps improve the reaction speed of the aiming system, its target recognition capabilities, and the user experience.
[0003] Currently, there are various methods for achieving the fusion of virtual and real images, such as optical solutions based on head-mounted displays (e.g., VR glasses, AR glasses). These devices typically employ optical structures such as semi-transparent mirrors, waveguides, or freeform prisms to overlay virtual images generated by a microdisplay onto the real scene seen through the lenses. While these solutions can achieve good immersion and image overlay effects, their system structures are often complex, optical components are expensive, and they have certain requirements for assembly precision and ambient light conditions. Therefore, they are limited in practical applications requiring low cost, lightweight design, or variable environments.
[0004] In addition, some traditional beam combining schemes have failed to fully optimize the imaging magnification and light intensity matching in the optical path design, resulting in visual inconsistencies in size or brightness between virtual and real images, which affects the visual consistency and aiming accuracy after fusion.
[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose an imaging system with a relatively simple structure, low cost, applicability to various working environments, and the ability to achieve high-precision fusion of virtual and real images at the optical level, in order to make up for the shortcomings of existing technologies in the above aspects. Summary of the Invention
[0006] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide an optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images, so as to solve the technical problems of existing optical systems for fusing virtual and real images, such as complex structure, high cost and poor fusion effect.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution created by this invention is implemented as follows: An optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images, comprising: Image sensor, used to output virtual images; Virtual imaging lens group, used to image virtual images; A beam combiner is used to reflect virtual images and transmit real images, enabling the virtual and real images to be fused to the same size and brightness.
[0008] Furthermore, the virtual imaging lens group includes a first imaging lens, a second imaging lens, a third imaging lens, and a fourth imaging lens; wherein, The first imaging lens is a biconcave lens with negative optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 21 mm, a thickness of 3 mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the first imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 72.11 mm for the front surface and 49.32 mm for the rear surface. The second imaging lens is a biconvex lens with positive optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 32mm, a thickness of 10mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the second imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 208.97mm for the front surface and 23.82mm for the rear surface. The distance between the first and second imaging lenses is 3.48mm. The third imaging lens is a meniscus lens with its convex surface facing the second imaging lens. It has a negative optical power, is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 36 mm, a thickness of 4 mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the third imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 31.42 mm for the front surface and 156.31 mm for the rear surface. The distance between the second and third imaging lenses is 2 mm. The fourth imaging lens is a biconvex lens with positive optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 35mm, a thickness of 12mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the fourth imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 45.29mm for the front surface and 31.42mm for the rear surface. The third and fourth imaging lenses are cemented together.
[0009] Furthermore, the optical imaging system has a magnification of 1×, ensuring that the size ratio of the virtual image to the real image is 1:1.
[0010] Furthermore, a beam-splitting film is coated on the incident surface of the beam combiner, and the beam splitting ratio of the transmission to reflection of the beam-splitting film is 50:50.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention achieves the fusion of virtual and real images through an optical imaging system consisting of an image sensor, three imaging lenses, and a beam combiner coated with a beam-splitting film. Because this invention eliminates expensive optical components and precision assembly processes such as complex waveguides and freeform prisms, the system has a compact structure and fewer components, thus significantly reducing material and manufacturing costs, making it more suitable for industrialization and application in cost-sensitive fields.
[0012] 2. Optical imaging systems have more relaxed requirements for the working environment (such as ambient light conditions, temperature, humidity, etc.) and do not rely on complex electronic dimming or compensation mechanisms. This is thanks to the inherent balance design of the beam combiner and beam splitter for the transmitted beam and the reflected beam, which allows the brightness of the fused image to remain relatively coordinated under various lighting conditions.
[0013] 3. By carefully designing the magnification of the imaging system, it is ensured that the virtual image generated by the image sensor and transmitted through the virtual imaging lens group is consistent with the size of the virtual image observed by the human eye. Simultaneously, the beam-splitting film design of the beam combiner ensures that the intensity of the transmitted real light and the reflected virtual light are roughly equivalent, effectively avoiding visual misalignment or dizziness caused by differences in brightness or size. This achieves high-precision, natural, and realistic image fusion, directly improving the accuracy and comfort of aiming or observation.
[0014] 4. The optical design of the virtual imaging lens group ensures that aberrations are well corrected during virtual image transmission, resulting in clear image quality. The beam combiner, while achieving beam splitting, minimizes unnecessary stray light and distortion, guaranteeing that the fused image reaching the human eye has high contrast and high fidelity. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images as described in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: image sensor 1, first imaging lens 2, second imaging lens 3, third imaging lens 4, fourth imaging lens 5, and beam combiner 6. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.
[0018] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.
[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "assembly," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.
[0021] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides an optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images, including an image sensor 1, a virtual imaging lens group, and a beam combiner 6; wherein, the image sensor 1 is used to output a virtual image; the virtual imaging lens group is used to image the virtual image; and the beam combiner 6 is used to reflect the virtual image and transmit the real image, thereby achieving the fusion of the virtual image and the real image with the same size and brightness.
[0023] The virtual imaging lens assembly includes a first imaging lens 2, a second imaging lens 3, a third imaging lens 4, and a fourth imaging lens 5. The virtual image output by the image sensor 1 is sequentially transmitted through the first imaging lens 2, the second imaging lens 3, the third imaging lens 4, and the fourth imaging lens 5 to the beam combiner 6, and then reflected by the beam combiner 6 to be imaged onto the human eye. Meanwhile, the real image is directly imaged onto the human eye through the transmission of the beam combiner 6. At the human eye, the virtual image output by the image sensor 1 can be observed simultaneously, and the real image in the real world can also be directly seen, thus achieving the fusion of virtual and real images.
[0024] The specific optical parameters of the first imaging lens 2, the second imaging lens 3, the third imaging lens 4, and the fourth imaging lens 5 are designed as follows: The first imaging lens 2 is a biconcave lens with negative optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 21 mm, a thickness of 3 mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. The front surface (the concave surface facing the image sensor 1) and the rear surface (the concave surface away from the image sensor 1) of the first imaging lens 2 are both spherical. The radius of curvature of the front surface of the first imaging lens 2 is 72.11 mm, and the radius of curvature of the rear surface of the first imaging lens 2 is 49.32 mm. The second imaging lens 3 is a biconvex lens with positive optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 32mm, a thickness of 10mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. The front surface (convex surface facing the first imaging lens 2) and the rear surface (convex surface away from the first imaging lens 2) of the second imaging lens 3 are both spherical. The radius of curvature of the front surface of the second imaging lens 3 is 208.97mm, the radius of curvature of the rear surface of the second imaging lens 3 is 23.82mm, and the distance between the first imaging lens 2 and the second imaging lens 3 is 3.48mm. The third imaging lens 4 is a meniscus lens with its convex surface facing the second imaging lens 3. It has a negative optical power, is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 36 mm, a thickness of 4 mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. Both the front surface (convex surface facing the second imaging lens 3) and the rear surface (concave surface away from the second imaging lens 3) of the third imaging lens 4 are spherical. The radius of curvature of the front surface of the third imaging lens 4 is 31.42 mm, and the radius of curvature of the rear surface of the third imaging lens 4 is 156.31 mm. The distance between the second imaging lens and the third imaging lens is 2 mm. The fourth imaging lens 5 is a biconvex lens with positive optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 35mm, a thickness of 12mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.06. The front surface (convex surface facing the third imaging lens 4) and the rear surface (convex surface away from the third imaging lens 4) of the fourth imaging lens 5 are both spherical. The radius of curvature of the front surface of the fourth imaging lens 5 is 45.29mm, and the radius of curvature of the rear surface of the fourth imaging lens 5 is 31.42mm. The third imaging lens 4 and the fourth imaging lens 5 are cemented together.
[0025] Through the optical parameter design of the first imaging lens 2, the second imaging lens 3, the third imaging lens 4, and the fourth imaging lens 5, the magnification of the virtual imaging lens group reaches 1×, ensuring that the size ratio of the virtual image to the real image is 1:1, achieving the same size imaging of the virtual image and the real image. At the same time, it ensures that aberrations during virtual image transmission are well corrected, resulting in good imaging quality and clear image quality for the virtual image.
[0026] A beam-splitting film is coated on the incident surface of the beam combiner 6. The beam splitting ratio of the film is 50:50, which ensures that the intensity of the transmitted real light and the reflected virtual light are equivalent without introducing distortion. By designing the virtual image and the real image to be of the same size and brightness, visual misalignment or dizziness caused by differences in brightness or size is effectively avoided. This achieves high-precision, natural and realistic image fusion, directly improving the accuracy and comfort of judgment when aiming or observing.
[0027] While achieving beam splitting, the beam combiner 6 minimizes the introduction of unnecessary stray light and distortion, ensuring that the fused image reaching the human eye has high contrast and high fidelity.
[0028] This invention comprises an optical imaging system consisting of only an image sensor, four imaging lenses, and a beam combiner coated with a beam-splitting film, achieving a seamless fusion of virtual and real images. Because this invention eliminates complex and expensive optical components such as waveguides and freeform prisms, as well as the associated precision assembly processes, the system has a compact structure and fewer components, thus significantly reducing material and manufacturing costs. This makes it more suitable for industrialization and application in cost-sensitive fields.
[0029] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to reorder, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this invention disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.
[0030] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.
Claims
1. An optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images, characterized in that, include: Image sensor, used to output virtual images; Virtual imaging lens group, used to image virtual images; A beam combiner is used to reflect virtual images and transmit real images, achieving the fusion of virtual and real images of the same size and brightness.
2. The optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images according to claim 1, characterized in that, The virtual imaging lens group includes a first imaging lens, a second imaging lens, a third imaging lens, and a fourth imaging lens; among which, The first imaging lens is a biconcave lens with negative optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 21 mm, a thickness of 3 mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.
06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the first imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 72.11 mm for the front surface and 49.32 mm for the rear surface. The second imaging lens is a biconvex lens with positive optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 32mm, a thickness of 10mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.
06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the second imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 208.97mm for the front surface and 23.82mm for the rear surface. The distance between the first and second imaging lenses is 3.48mm. The third imaging lens is a meniscus lens with its convex surface facing the second imaging lens. It has a negative optical power, is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 36 mm, a thickness of 4 mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.
06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the third imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 31.42 mm for the front surface and 156.31 mm for the rear surface. The distance between the second and third imaging lenses is 2 mm. The fourth imaging lens is a biconvex lens with positive optical power. It is made of K9 glass, has a light-transmitting aperture of 35mm, a thickness of 12mm, a refractive index of 1.516, and an Abbe number of 64.
06. Both the front and rear surfaces of the fourth imaging lens are spherical, with a radius of curvature of 45.29mm for the front surface and 31.42mm for the rear surface. The third and fourth imaging lenses are cemented together.
3. The optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images according to claim 2, characterized in that, The optical imaging system has a magnification of 1×, ensuring that the size ratio of the virtual image to the real image is 1:
1.
4. The optical imaging system for fusing virtual and real images according to claim 1, characterized in that, A beam-splitting film is coated on the incident surface of the beam combiner, and the beam splitting ratio of transmission to reflection of the beam-splitting film is 50:50.