Afocal Lens Array for 3D Imaging Without Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional (3D) imaging technologies require complex optical systems, such as large-scale electric circuits for computing processes or numerous optical components like prisms and graded-index lenses, which are costly and difficult to arrange, limiting their simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of an imaging and display device using a lens component group with afocal optical systems and image-forming systems, each comprising optical elements with uniform refractive index, arranged in an array form to capture and display non-inverted 3D images without the need for image conversion processes, utilizing afocal optical systems that invert light rays and image-forming systems that focus them correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional IP technique using convex lens array is used, then 3D images can be captured, but the captured images are inverted requiring complex computing processes for correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by using an afocal optical system that inverts light rays before they reach the image-forming system. This pre-inversion of light paths compensates for the inversion that would normally occur in conventional IP techniques, thereby producing non-inverted images directly without requiring subsequent computing corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The afocal optical system serves as an intermediary component between the object and the image-forming system. It mediates the light transmission by inverting light rays and allowing them to pass through to the image-forming system, which then focuses them to create the final non-inverted image on the imaging element.
2Reliability
If complex optical systems like prisms and graded-index lenses are used, then image inversion can be corrected, but manufacturing costs and arrangement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical components like prisms and graded-index lenses with simpler, more affordable optical elements that can be easily manufactured and arranged. The afocal optical system uses conventional optical elements that are cheaper and easier to produce, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the same image correction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using an afocal optical system with specific focal length relationships that enable light ray inversion without requiring complex materials like graded-index lenses. This parameter change allows the use of standard optical elements with uniform refractive indices, simplifying manufacturing and arrangement.
3Productivity
If convex lens array is used for focusing light, then images can be captured, but images away from focal length are inverted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by inverting light rays in advance using the afocal optical system before the light reaches the image-forming system. This pre-inversion ensures that when the image-forming system focuses the light, the resulting image is already in the correct non-inverted orientation, eliminating the orientation problem for objects at various distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The afocal optical system acts as an intermediary that processes light rays between the object and the image-forming system. It inverts the light paths for all incoming rays regardless of object distance, ensuring that the subsequent image formation always produces non-inverted images without requiring distance-based adjustments.
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
Enables the capture and display of positionally correct 3D images without the need for complex computing processes or expensive optical components, simplifying the device configuration and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective 3D image presentation.
Implementation Method 1
the afocal optical system including at least one optical element for inverting an externally incident light ray with respect to its optical axis and outputting the inverted light ray
Implementation Method 2
the image-forming system including at least one optical element for focusing the light from the afocal optical system
Implementation Method 3
each of the lens component systems including an afocal optical system for allowing the light from the object to pass through, and an image-forming system for focusing the light from the afocal optical system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an imaging device and a display device which both have a simple structure without any need of an image conversion. The imaging device includes a lens component group including multiple lens component systems, each of which focuses incident light from the object, thereby creating a non-inverted image of the object, the lens component systems being arranged in an array form and on the same level, and an image capturing mechanism for picking up the created image. In addition, each of the lens component systems includes an afocal optical system and an image-forming system. The afocal optical system includes at least one optical element for inverting an externally incident light ray relative to its optical axis and outputting the light ray. The optical element has uniform refractive index. The image-forming system includes at least one optical element having uniform refractive index throughout its interior.