Beam Splitter Optical System for Compact Zoom Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital cameras with zoom capabilities face challenges in integrating mechanical zoom actuators into small devices due to their bulkiness and slow mechanical movement, and dual-camera approaches suffer from parallax errors and long overall lens length.
Innovation Solution
An optical system that combines a wide-angle lens and a tele lens using a beam splitter, allowing for zoom capabilities without mechanically moving parts, with the optical axes of the lenses being coincident to avoid parallax errors and the beam splitter folding the tele lens's optical axis to fit within compact spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical zoom actuators are used to vary focal length, then zoom capability is achieved, but the actuators are bulky and difficult to integrate into small cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zoom actuator system with a dual-camera optical system. Instead of using mechanical components to physically move lens groups along the optical axis, the invention uses two separate cameras (wide-angle and tele) positioned side by side to capture images that can be digitally combined to achieve zoom effects, thereby eliminating bulky mechanical actuators from the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies of the scene through two separate camera systems (wide-angle and tele lenses) that simultaneously capture different portions of the scene. These optical copies are then digitally processed and combined to produce the final zoomed image, replacing the need for physical lens movement with digital image synthesis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical zoom actuators are used, then focal length variation is achieved, but mechanical movement is relatively slow especially when taking snapshots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the slow mechanical zoom process with a simultaneous dual-camera capture system. Both the wide-angle and tele cameras capture images at the same time, and the results are digitally combined instantaneously, eliminating the time delay inherent in mechanical lens movement and achieving rapid zoom capability suitable for snapshots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary capture of both wide-angle and tele images simultaneously before any zoom operation is needed. By pre-positioning both cameras and capturing both views at once, the system eliminates the need for sequential mechanical movement and achieves immediate digital composition, significantly improving speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual cameras with wide-angle and tele lenses are used, then zoom capability is achieved, but parallax errors occur between the views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical axes of the wide-angle and tele lenses by positioning them to share a common optical center. This alignment ensures that both cameras view the scene from the same optical perspective, eliminating parallax errors between the captured images and enabling accurate digital combination without geometric distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs image processing algorithms that analyze the captured wide-angle and tele images to automatically adjust and correct for any residual alignment discrepancies. Through feedback-based processing, the system refines the image registration to eliminate parallax effects and achieve precise geometric alignment before final composition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tele lens with long focal length is used, then telephoto capability is achieved, but the overall length of the tele lens is quite long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the zoom function into two separate, fixed-length camera systems (wide-angle and tele) positioned side by side. Instead of using a single long tele lens that would be required for traditional optical zoom, the system divides the imaging function across two compact cameras with different focal lengths, both of which can fit within the device constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-lens optical zoom approach (one-dimensional focal length variation) to a dual-camera spatial arrangement (two-dimensional configuration). By positioning cameras side by side in the horizontal dimension, the system achieves telephoto capability without requiring a long focal length in the optical dimension, thereby reducing overall lens length.
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 solution enables compact digital cameras with improved zoom capabilities by eliminating mechanical parts and reducing lens length, while maintaining image quality through digital image processing that combines wide-angle and tele images.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system that combines a first lens and a second lens by means of a beam splitter
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including an optical system that combines a first lens and a second lens by means of a beam splitter.