Aberration Control Optical System for Shading Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and large depth of field due to shading issues and complex optical design requirements, which increase costs and processing complexity, especially when using micro lens arrays and phase plates with varying Point Spread Functions (PSF).
Innovation Solution
An aberration control optical system with a lens and aberration control unit is used to control the incident angle of light, diffusing the PSF and allowing for image processing to restore it to one pixel, thereby enhancing light collection efficiency and reducing shading effects while maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a micro lens array is arranged at the pre-stage of a solid-state imaging element to improve sensitivity, then light collection efficiency improves, but shading occurs in the peripheral part of the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning micro lenses at different positions relative to pixels across the imaging element. Specifically, micro lenses are arranged such that their optical axes are shifted toward the image center from the pixel centers, with the shift amount varying depending on the distance from the image center. This local adjustment optimizes light collection efficiency at each position while compensating for angular deviations, thereby reducing peripheral shading without sacrificing central region performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the center of the micro lens is arranged on the normal line of the center of the pixel, then alignment is simplified, but light collecting efficiency lowers for diagonally entering light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the positional relationship between micro lenses and pixels based on their location in the imaging element. Near the image center, micro lenses are positioned with their optical axes aligned toward the center rather than directly above pixel centers. This local adjustment ensures that light rays entering at various angles are properly directed onto the corresponding pixels, maintaining high light collection efficiency while accounting for the angular distribution of incoming light at different field positions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple correcting functions are combined to appropriately correct shading, then shading correction improves, but processing complexity and costs significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning micro lenses at optimized locations before the light reaches the imaging element. The micro lenses are arranged with their optical axes shifted toward the image center according to a predetermined pattern that accounts for expected light angle variations. This preliminary optical correction reduces shading effects at the source, minimizing the need for complex post-processing corrections and thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective shading compensation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves light collection efficiency, enhances sensitivity, and simplifies the optical system design, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining high image quality, even in compact devices like digital cameras and mobile phones.
Implementation Method 1
An aberration control optical system with a lens and aberration control unit is used to control the incident angle of light
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing method and apparatus operable for processing images is disclosed. The image processing method allows for drawing any given image in an output image on which various types of image processing have been performed. Such various types of image processing are, for example, correction of an image having distortion due to the distortion aberration of an imaging lens, an image having unnatural perspective distortion of a subject due to high-angle or overhead photography, generation of an output image with the viewpoint changed from the viewpoint of a captured image, mirror-image conversion of a captured image, and electronic zooming. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an imaging apparatus that uses the image processing method.