Asymmetric Optical Front Group for Stereoscopic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems using rotationally symmetric elements cannot produce stereoscopic images as they fail to form parallax images in multiple baseline directions, limiting their ability to provide a wide observation angle while maintaining a compact design.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates a rotationally symmetric front group with two internal reflecting surfaces and two transmitting surfaces, which forms an annular entrance pupil, allowing light beams to be imaged in multiple baseline directions without intermediate imaging within the axis of rotational symmetry, enabling stereoscopic viewing and reducing decentration aberrations through careful surface design and refractive index management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rotationally symmetric optical elements are used, then the optical system maintains a compact design, but it cannot produce stereoscopic images or form parallax images in multiple baseline directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric optical elements (prisms and lenses with different curvatures in orthogonal directions) into the rotationally symmetric optical system. Specifically, the front group includes a first lens with different curvature radii in the first and second directions, and a first prism with asymmetric refractive surfaces. These asymmetric elements create different optical paths for light from different directions, enabling the formation of parallax images in multiple baseline directions while maintaining a relatively compact overall structure.
2Area of stationary object
If the optical system is designed to provide a wide observation angle, then the field of view increases, but the system length and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth along the optical axis) by introducing reflecting surfaces and folding the optical path. The front group includes reflecting surfaces that redirect light at different angles, allowing the optical system to achieve a wide field of view in the lateral directions while keeping the axial length compact. The asymmetric lenses and prisms also enable light from wide angles to be focused onto the image sensor without requiring a proportionally large system length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If asymmetric optical elements are introduced to enable stereoscopic imaging, then parallax images in multiple baseline directions are formed, but decentration aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the optical system. The front group contains asymmetric elements with specifically designed curvature radii and refractive indices tailored for their local function of creating parallax images. The rear group contains correction elements with asymmetric curvatures positioned to specifically address the decentration aberrations generated by the front group. This localized optimization allows the system to maintain both stereoscopic imaging capability and acceptable aberration levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the decentration aberrations naturally produced by the asymmetric elements in the front group into useful optical effects. The second lens in the rear group is specifically designed with asymmetric curvature radii that complement the aberrations from the first lens, transforming what would be harmful distortions into controlled optical paths that still form usable parallax images. The asymmetric prisms similarly convert potential aberrations into directed light paths that contribute to the stereoscopic effect.
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 configuration allows for stereoscopic imaging with a wide observation angle while minimizing the size and length of the optical system, effectively reducing decentration aberrations and maintaining image quality across a broad field of view.
Implementation Method 1
a light beam incident from at least one object plane on the front group forms an optical path along which the light beam enters a first transmitting surface, is reflected off a first reflecting surface and then off a second reflecting surface, and exits out of a second transmitting surface
Implementation Method 2
a light beam incident from at least one object plane on the front group forms an optical path along which the light beam enters a first transmitting surface, is reflected off a first reflecting surface and then off a second reflecting surface
Data Source
AI summary
The optical system is characterized by a rotationally symmetric front group that is located on a single axis of rotational symmetry passing through the center of an image plane, a rotationally symmetric back group, and an aperture, wherein the front group includes two internal reflecting surfaces and two transmitting surfaces, a light beam incident from at least one object plane on the front group forms an optical path along which the light beam enters a first transmitting surface, is reflected off a first reflecting surface and then off a second reflecting surface, and exits out of a second transmitting surface, and the light beam passes through the back group and aperture and is imaged in a position of the image plane away from the axis of rotational symmetry without being intermediately imaged within a section including the axis of rotational symmetry.