Compact Optical System for Simultaneous Visible and NIR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop a compact, high-resolution camera system that can capture images in both visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectrums within a small form factor, which is essential for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, while maintaining improved imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical system that includes a front lens group capable of capturing visible and NIR light, with a beam splitter that splits the light into two paths, allowing for simultaneous imaging on visible and NIR sensor planes, utilizing distinct lens groups for each spectrum to provide different fields of view, focal lengths, and F-numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact imaging lens system is used to reduce camera size, then the form factor is reduced, but imaging quality performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple lens groups (first lens group with negative optical power, second lens group with positive optical power, third lens group with negative optical power) that work together to achieve compact form factor while maintaining imaging quality. Each lens group contributes differently to the overall optical performance, allowing the system to be compact without sacrificing image quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and lens groups are added to capture both visible and NIR light, then spectral imaging capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system merges the visible light path and NIR light path into a single integrated system. The first lens group receives both visible and NIR light and directs them to respective sensors through a beam splitter, while the second and third lens groups are positioned to serve both paths. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate optical systems for each spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple lens groups serve dual functions: the first lens group handles both visible and NIR light collection, the second lens group provides imaging for both spectra, and the third lens group contributes to both optical paths. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve spectral imaging capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If different lens groups provide different fields of view and focal lengths for visible and NIR paths, then imaging performance is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system employs asymmetric design where the first, second, and third lens groups have different optical powers and are positioned at different locations. The first lens group has negative optical power, the second has positive optical power, and the third has negative optical power. This asymmetric arrangement allows each lens group to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system alignment.
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 the capture of high-resolution images in both visible and NIR spectrums, facilitating applications such as object localization and depth sensing, while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
a front lens group that captures visible and near-infrared (NIR) light from an object field and refracts the light
Implementation Method 2
one of the prisms includes a surface that reflects visible light and passes NIR light
Implementation Method 3
a visible light lens group refracts the visible light to form an image of the object field at a visible light sensor
Implementation Method 4
a NIR light lens group refracts the NIR light to form an image of the object field at an NIR light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A compact, small form factor optical system for cameras that provides multiple optical paths to capture images of an object field in different portions of the light spectrum. The optical system includes a front lens group that captures visible and near-infrared (NIR) light from an object field and refracts the light to a beam splitter that splits the visible light and the NIR light onto two paths. On the visible light path, a visible light lens group refracts the visible light to form an image of the object field at a visible light sensor. On the NIR light path, a NIR light lens group refracts the NIR light to form an image of the object field at an NIR light sensor. The optical system thus provides images of the object field at two sensor planes, one image in the visible spectrum and the other image in the NIR spectrum.