Miniature Camera Dual Image Sensor Light Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional miniature cameras in mobile devices face challenges in minimizing size while maintaining efficient light capture, as most light is absorbed by color filters applied over the image sensors, reducing the effective light available for image processing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a camera system with two image sensors and a color-splitting component that separates light into different wavelength ranges, directing each range to a specific image sensor, thereby minimizing light absorption and maximizing light utilization without the need for color filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If color filters are applied over the light sensitive pixels, then color image capture is enabled, but the majority of light is absorbed by the color filters and lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light detection function across multiple image sensors, each optimized for specific wavelength ranges. Instead of using color filters that block most light, the system segments the optical path and uses multiple sensors to capture different spectral portions, thereby reducing light loss while maintaining color detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wavelength-selective beam splitter as an intermediary component that directs different wavelength ranges to appropriate sensors. This mediator enables spectral separation without requiring absorptive color filters, allowing most light to reach the sensors while still achieving color image capture.
2Loss of energy
If multiple image sensors and color-splitting components are added, then light utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple image sensors and wavelength-selective beam splitters into a compact integrated module. By merging these components into a unified structure, the system achieves high light utilization efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity through spatial integration and shared optical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple image sensors in different spatial dimensions and orientations, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. This dimensional arrangement allows complex multi-sensor functionality to be achieved without proportionally increasing the overall device footprint or structural complexity.
3Length of stationary object
If lens element diameter is reduced to minimize camera size, then camera thickness is reduced, but light capture capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of light detection by using multiple sensors tuned to different wavelength ranges. This allows the system to maintain high light capture efficiency with smaller lens elements, as each sensor captures light in its optimized spectral band, reducing the total light gathering requirement per sensor while maintaining overall system performance.
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 a more efficient use of light, enabling higher resolution images and reducing the size of the camera by minimizing the diameter of lens elements and the overall camera thickness, while maintaining effective light capture.
Implementation Method 1
a color-splitting component along an optical path between the lens system and the image sensors. The color-splitting component separates the light into a first set of wavelengths directed to the first image sensor and a second set of wavelengths directed to the second image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a camera includes a first image sensor attached to a first ceramic substrate, a second image sensor attached to a second ceramic substrate, and a lens system including a set of lens elements serving both the first image sensor and the second image sensor, and a color-splitting component along an optical path between the lens system and the image sensors. The color-splitting component separates the light into a first set of wavelengths directed to the first image sensor and a second set of wavelengths directed to the second image sensor.