Dual Lens Optical Splitter for Compact High-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems face challenges in capturing high-quality images with varying fields of view and magnifications, often requiring large, heavy, and expensive optical zooming systems, and suffer from computational difficulties and ghosting issues due to optical parallax and depth estimation requirements.
Innovation Solution
The system captures two or more images with different fields of view using optical modules of varying focal lengths and sensors, combining them without optical parallax, using processors to scale and fuse images using algorithms like cubic interpolation or Laplacian pyramid, eliminating the need for complex image matching and depth estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical zooming systems are used to capture images with varying fields of view and magnifications, then image quality is improved, but the system becomes heavy, large, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into multiple independent optical modules, each with a different focal length. Instead of using a single complex optical zoom system, the patent segments the imaging function into multiple fixed-focal-length modules that capture images simultaneously from the same optical path, eliminating the need for heavy moving parts while maintaining image quality across different magnifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension optical zoom approach (changing focal length mechanically) to a multi-dimensional solution by capturing multiple images simultaneously with different focal lengths and combining them computationally. This adds the dimension of parallel image acquisition and processing, replacing mechanical complexity with computational efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing image generation systems combine multiple images, then arbitrary magnification is achieved, but computational difficulties and ghosting problems occur due to optical parallax and depth estimation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing all necessary images with different focal lengths simultaneously from the same optical path before processing. This pre-acquisition of aligned images from a common viewpoint eliminates the need for complex post-capture alignment and depth estimation, reducing computational complexity while enabling arbitrary magnification through simple interpolation and fusion algorithms
3Area of stationary object
If digital zooming systems are used instead of optical zooming, then system size is reduced, but image performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both optical and digital zooming by combining multiple fixed-focal-length optical modules with different focal lengths and fusing their captured images computationally. This merging approach maintains the compact size of digital systems while achieving the high image performance of optical systems through multi-image fusion, effectively getting both benefits simultaneously
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 approach enables the generation of high-quality images with arbitrary magnification, improving matching accuracy and reducing computational load, while being compact and cost-effective for integration into devices like smartphones or UAVs.
Implementation Method 1
the first light beam is a reflected part of the light and the second light beam is a refracted part of the light
Implementation Method 2
the first light beam is a reflected part of the light and the second light beam is a refracted part of the light
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an optical element configured to separate light into a first light beam and a second light beam, a first optical module configured to capture a first image having a first field of view from the first light beam, a second optical module configured to capture a second image having a second field of view different from the first field of view from the second light beam, and one or more processors configured to generate a scaled image by scaling one of the first image or the second image, and generate a combined image by aligning the scaled image and an unscaled one of the first image or the second image.