Dual-Aperture Camera with Scanning OPFE for Wide-to-Tele Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automotive or surveillance applications, there is a need to inspect a specific region of interest with high resolution, which is challenging for a single camera to achieve without compromising the large field of view.
Innovation Solution
A dual-aperture zoom digital camera system with a scanning Optical Path Folding Element (OPFE) is used, comprising a Wide camera with a large field of view and a Tele camera with a narrow field of view, where the processing unit directs the Tele camera to move and focus on specific objects of interest within the Wide camera's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single camera with large field of view is used, then the coverage area is improved, but the imaging resolution of specific regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging task into two segments: a wide-angle camera captures the entire field of view, while a telephoto camera focuses on specific regions of interest. This segmentation allows each camera to optimize for its specific function, with the wide-angle camera providing broad coverage and the telephoto camera providing high-resolution detail of selected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a temporal dimension to the imaging process by sequentially switching between wide-angle and telephoto views. The processing unit identifies regions of interest in the wide-angle image and directs the telephoto camera to capture those specific areas, effectively adding a time-based layer to the spatial imaging dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If a single camera with high resolution is used, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the field of view deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into two functional components: a wide-angle camera for broad area coverage and a telephoto camera for high-resolution detailed imaging. Each camera type is optimized for its specific purpose, eliminating the need for a single camera to compromise between field of view and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined camera system achieves multi-functionality by integrating both wide-angle and telephoto capabilities in a single dual-aperture device. The system can switch between broad survey imaging and detailed close-up imaging, providing universal applicability for both area coverage and high-resolution inspection tasks.
3Measurement precision
If dual-camera system is used, then the imaging resolution of specific regions is improved, but the device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wide-angle and telephoto camera systems into a single integrated dual-aperture device with shared mounting structure and coordinated control. This combining approach reduces overall system complexity compared to using completely separate camera systems, while still achieving high-resolution imaging of specific regions through the telephoto lens.
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 system allows for high-resolution imaging of specific regions of interest while maintaining a large field of view, enabling effective object recognition and tracking in automotive and surveillance applications.
Implementation Method 1
The folded camera has an optical axis substantially perpendicular (orthogonal) to an optical axis of the upright camera. The folded Tele camera may be auto-focused and optically stabilized by moving either its lens or by tilting an optical path folding (reflecting) element ('prism')
Data Source
AI summary
Systems including dual-aperture zoom digital cameras with scanning optical path folding elements (OPFEs) for automotive or surveillance applications and methods for operating and using same. In some embodiments, a dual-aperture zoom digital camera comprises a Wide camera with a Wide field of view FOVW, a Wide sensor and a Wide lens, wherein the Wide camera is operative to output Wide image information, a Tele camera with a Tele field of view FOVT smaller than FOVW and with a Tele sensor, a Tele lens with a Tele lens optical axis and a scanning OPFE, and a processing unit operative to detect an object of interest (OOI) from Wide and/or Tele image information and to direct the Tele camera to move FOVT to acquire Tele image information on the OOI.