Dual Optical Systems for Extended Depth of Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture devices face limitations in extending the depth of field and achieving high sharpness, particularly when capturing subjects in single colors on black backgrounds, due to constraints in reflecting sharpness between color components and varying depth of focus ranges.
Innovation Solution
The device employs two optical systems with different longitudinal chromatic aberrations to generate images of RGB colors at distinct positions, allowing for color-by-color sharpness determination and combination of the sharpest components to produce a high-resolution output image, even without focus adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the technique of Patent Document No. 1 is used to reflect sharpness of the first color component on the second color component, then the sharpness of the second color component is increased, but the range of depth of focus is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image capturing into multiple color channels (first color component and second color component) and processes each channel separately through different optical systems. This segmentation allows independent optimization of sharpness for each color component while extending the overall depth of focus range by combining results from multiple focal planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single focal plane to multiple focal planes by using multiple optical systems with different longitudinal chromatic aberrations. This adds a dimensional aspect to image capturing, allowing sharpness to be reflected across different color components at different focal distances, thereby extending the depth of focus range.
2Ease of manufacture
If an image of a single color subject on black background is captured, then the image contains only that color component, but the sharpness cannot be reflected from other color components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the optical system to self-correct sharpness by using the longitudinal chromatic aberration to reflect sharpness information from one color component to another. Even for single color subjects, the system can utilize the aberration characteristics to enhance the sharpness of the captured color component without requiring external reference or complex processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of longitudinal chromatic aberration (which normally causes blur and reduced sharpness) into a beneficial tool for sharpness enhancement. By deliberately utilizing the aberration to reflect sharpness information between color components, the system achieves improved sharpness for single color subjects on black backgrounds.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical systems with different longitudinal chromatic aberrations are used, then the depth of field is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical systems to serve multiple functions: each optical system not only captures images but also provides sharpness information through its longitudinal chromatic aberration characteristics. This multi-functionality allows the system to extend depth of field while maintaining manageable complexity through shared optical components and processing algorithms.
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 significantly increases the depth of field and achieves high sharpness across various subject distances and color backgrounds, ensuring a more extensive and consistent depth of focus and improved image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical system 10 that has a longitudinal chromatic aberration to cause first, second and third colors to form images at mutually different positions on an optical axis
Implementation Method 2
a second optical system 20 that has a different longitudinal chromatic aberration from that of the first optical system
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device according to the present invention includes: a first optical system 10 that has a longitudinal chromatic aberration to cause first, second and third colors to form images at mutually different positions on an optical axis; a first image capturing region Na for generating an image that has a component in at least one of the first, second and third colors by using light that has been transmitted through the first optical system 10; a second optical system 20 that has a different longitudinal chromatic aberration from that of the first optical system 10; a second image capturing region Nb for generating an image that has a component in the same color as the at least one color by using light that has been transmitted through the second optical system 20; and an arithmetic processing section C for generating an output image by using one of the two images that has been generated in the first or second image capturing region Na or Nb so as to have the component in the at least one color apiece and that has the component with the higher degree of sharpness.