Single Lens Camera Module with Variable Aperture for Hybrid Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile phone camera lenses require multiple lenses with different focal lengths and algorithm-based digital zoom, leading to a large size and compromised appearance quality due to the inability to achieve high-magnification optical zoom effectively with a single lens.
Innovation Solution
A camera module that uses a single camera lens with a variable aperture, allowing for two imaging modes: full-pixel imaging and partial-pixel imaging, to achieve hybrid zoom effects while maintaining a compact size by integrating a main camera lens and a 2× or 3× telephoto lens into one, with adjustable aperture settings to enhance optical quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera lenses with different focal lengths are mounted to achieve high-magnification optical zoom, then the zoom capability is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single camera lens to perform multiple functions - acting as both a wide-angle lens for full-area imaging and a telephoto lens for partial-area high-magnification imaging. The lens system is designed with specific optical parameters that allow it to adapt to different imaging modes through aperture adjustment and pixel selection, eliminating the need for separate telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing a variable aperture mechanism that can dynamically adjust the aperture size between different states (first aperture and second aperture). This dynamic adjustment, combined with switching between full-area and partial-area pixel usage, allows the single lens system to adapt its optical characteristics in real-time to achieve different zoom effects.
2Reliability
If multiple camera lenses are mounted to achieve hybrid optical zoom, then the imaging quality is improved, but the space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the functions of a main camera lens and a telephoto lens into a single integrated lens system. The lens structure integrates multiple optical elements (including positive and negative lenses) that work together to provide both wide-angle and telephoto imaging capabilities, significantly reducing the space required compared to separate lens modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lens system is designed to universally handle both full-area imaging (main camera function) and partial-area high-magnification imaging (telephoto function), replacing multiple specialized lenses with one multi-functional component that maintains high imaging quality across different modes.
3Device complexity
If a single camera lens is used with full-area imaging, then the device size is reduced, but the angular resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only a partial area of the photosensitive element's pixels for high-magnification imaging. Specifically, when the aperture is adjusted to the second state, the system uses a subset of pixels (corresponding to the partial area) to achieve high angular resolution (nδ where n≥2), rather than requiring the entire sensor area. This allows high-resolution telephoto imaging with a single lens.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the aperture is adjusted to achieve different imaging modes, then the versatility is improved, but the optical quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the aperture parameter (from first aperture to second aperture) to switch between different imaging modes. The aperture adjustment is specifically designed to maintain optimal optical quality in each mode - the first aperture for full-area imaging and the second aperture for partial-area high-magnification imaging, ensuring that optical performance is not compromised during mode transitions.
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 efficient hybrid zoom photography with improved imaging quality and reduced device size by utilizing a single camera lens with adjustable aperture settings, effectively addressing the limitations of existing multi-lens systems.
Implementation Method 1
The camera lens may include a plurality of lenses arranged along a direction from an object side to an image side
Implementation Method 2
a clear aperture of the variable aperture may be adjusted to a first clear aperture and a second clear aperture
Implementation Method 3
The photosensitive element is disposed on an imaging surface of the camera lens, and the photosensitive element includes a photosensitive area
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module, which may be included in an electronic device includes a camera lens, a variable aperture, and a photosensitive element. A quantity of apertures of the camera lens is F1 when a clear aperture of the variable aperture is adjusted to a first clear aperture, and the photosensitive element is configured to: enable the camera lens to perform imaging in a full area of a photosensitive area, and adjust angular resolution of the full area to δ. A quantity of apertures of the camera lens is F2 when a clear aperture of the variable aperture is adjusted to a second clear aperture, where F1≥F2, and the photosensitive element is configured to: enable the camera lens to perform imaging in a partial area of the photosensitive area, and adjust angular resolution of the partial area to nδ, where 1≤n≤3.