Dual Optical System Zoom Switching for Compact Digital Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital cameras with a single lens and image sensor struggle to provide a wide zoom range without compromising image quality or becoming bulky, and existing methods for switching between optical systems are slow, making it difficult to immediately achieve desired angles of view.
Innovation Solution
A digital camera with multiple optical systems that can be individually switched to provide a wide range of angles of view, using a controller and timing-generator to synchronize the angle of view changes between the systems, allowing for quick switching between different zoom positions and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single lens with wide zoom range is used, then the digital camera can be compact, but the zoom range is limited and cannot provide both wide and telephotography angles of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent lens units (first lens unit with wide angle and second lens unit with telephotography angle). Each lens unit can be independently selected and focused, allowing the camera to provide both wide and telephotography zoom ranges while maintaining a compact form factor. The segmentation enables the camera to switch between different optical systems based on shooting requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sequential switching between multiple optical systems is used, then the camera can provide wide zoom range, but the switching time is long and responsiveness is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the inactive lens unit perform pre-positioning before switching is needed. When one lens unit is active, the other lens unit is already positioned at its wide-angle end in advance. This allows for immediate switching without sequential movement delays, significantly reducing switching time and improving camera responsiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses with different focal lengths are used, then wide zoom range is achieved, but the complexity of lens switching control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system simplifies complexity by implementing predetermined switching criteria. The controller is configured to automatically determine when to switch between lens units based on simple conditions (e.g., switching from first to second lens unit when reaching wide-angle end, and vice versa). This predetermined control logic avoids complex real-time decision-making and reduces control system complexity.
4Volume of moving object
If electronic zoom is used to extend zoom range, then the camera remains compact, but image quality deteriorates compared to optical zoom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation to provide different optical systems for different zoom ranges. The first lens unit handles wide-angle shots and the second lens unit handles telephotography shots, both providing high-quality optical zoom. This eliminates the need for electronic zoom interpolation and maintains high image quality across the entire zoom range while keeping the camera compact.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital camera has a first optical system having a wide zoom lens and a second optical system for a telephotography zoom lens. In an initial state where power is active, a controller and timing-generator controls the wide zoom lens so as to be situated at a wide position and the telephotography zoom lens so as to be situated at a telephotograph position. When zoom-in is effected, the wide zoom lens is actuated, and the telephotography zoom lens is maintained at the telephotograph position. When a zoom position of the wide zoom lens has reached a threshold zoom position set to a wider angle of view than that achieved at the telephotograph position, the telephotography zoom lens starts being actuated toward the wide position. When the zoom lens has reached the telephotograph position, an image signal is switched from the wide zoom lens to the telephotography zoom lens, and the selected image signal is output.