Dual Image Sensor Optical Path Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical imaging systems for mobile devices face challenges in reducing length to fit within the device while maintaining high pixel resolution, as single image sensors are insufficient for improved resolution and X-cube beam splitters are costly and limited in size due to manufacturing constraints.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual image sensor system using a dichroic beam splitter and reflectors to fold the optical path, allowing for a more compact design that fits within the device, with each image sensor capturing specific color components to combine into a single high-resolution image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three image sensors with X-cube beam splitter are used to increase pixel resolution, then pixel resolution is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to inability to manufacture as two-dimensional planar wafer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple independent image sensors (first image sensor and second image sensor) that can be manufactured separately on wafer substrates. Each sensor captures different color information (e.g., red channel and green channel), allowing the system to achieve high resolution through segmentation of the imaging function across multiple sensors rather than requiring a single complex X-cube beam splitter structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional X-cube beam splitter structure to a two-dimensional planar wafer configuration. By arranging image sensors and beam splitters in planar layers that can be stacked and processed on flat substrates, the system enables wafer-level manufacturing while maintaining the optical functionality of color separation and image reconstruction.
2Length of moving object
If optical imaging system length is shortened to fit in mobile phone, then device integration is improved, but image resolution may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a compact optical imaging system where multiple image sensors and beam splitters are nested within a small form factor suitable for mobile devices. The first image sensor and second image sensor are positioned to capture different color information within a compact arrangement, enabling high resolution imaging without requiring a long optical path. The system uses a compact beam splitter configuration that allows the optical components to be nested within a small volume.
3Measurement precision
If X-cube beam splitter is used to separate colors, then color separation is improved, but device complexity increases due to combination of four triangular prisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color separation function from the complex X-cube beam splitter structure and implements it using simpler individual beam splitter components. Instead of using four triangular prisms arranged in an X-cube configuration, the system employs separate beam splitters that can be integrated with the image sensors in a planar arrangement, reducing structural complexity while maintaining color separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple image sensors with different spectral sensitivities to copy the color information that would traditionally require a complex X-cube beam splitter. By having the first image sensor capture red channel information and the second image sensor capture green channel information, the system creates simplified copies of the color separation function that can be implemented with less complex optics.
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 better resolution and cost-effective manufacturing by utilizing dual image sensors to achieve a more compact optical imaging system that can be integrated into mobile devices, providing enhanced imaging performance without the limitations of single image sensors or X-cube beam splitters.
Implementation Method 1
a dichroic beam splitter to separate the color components of the incident light, with a first image sensor to receive the transmitted light and a second image sensor to receive the reflected light
Implementation Method 2
a reflector to fold the optical path and direct it toward the image sensors
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system for capturing an image of an object comprises a first lens, a dichroic beam splitter, which transmits light of a color band and reflects light of all colors outside the color band, a first image sensor for capturing an image formed by the transmitted light in the color band, a second image sensor for capturing an image formed by the reflected light outside the color band. The first image sensor is a monochrome image sensor and the second image sensor is a color image sensor having a color filter array disposed on pixels of the second image sensor. The image captured by the first image sensor and the image captured by the second image sensor are combined to form a single color image.