Dual-Prism Scanning Tele Camera for Wide FOV Without Roll
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanning Tele cameras for mobile devices face limitations such as a limited scanning range, POV aberrations, and the Roll effect, while also requiring large aperture areas within the size constraints of modern mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A scanning Tele camera design incorporating an object-side optical path folding element (O-OPFE) and an image-side optical path folding element (I-OPFE) with actuators that rotate around perpendicular axes, along with a lens actuator for focusing, to achieve a large effective Tele field-of-view without aberrations and Roll effect, using prisms with refractive indices greater than 1.7 and metal housings for compact integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a single optical path folding element (OPFE) is rotated along two directions for field-of-view scanning, then the scanning tele camera can achieve a larger effective field-of-view, but this causes POV aberrations and Roll effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single OPFE into two separate OPFEs (first and second OPFEs), each responsible for scanning in one direction. This segmentation eliminates the POV aberrations and Roll effect that occur when a single OPFE is rotated along two directions, while still achieving the desired large effective field-of-view through coordinated rotation of both OPFEs along their respective perpendicular axes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by using two OPFEs rotating along perpendicular axes instead of one OPFE rotating along two directions. This dimensional change in the scanning mechanism allows independent control of scanning directions, eliminating optical aberrations while maintaining the expanded field-of-view capability
2Reliability
If the aperture area is increased to improve light gathering capability, then image quality is enhanced, but the device size increases which conflicts with mobile device constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by folding the optical path using OPFEs, allowing the optical components to be arranged in a compact folded configuration. This enables larger aperture areas and improved image quality without increasing the overall device footprint, as the light path is redirected through folded dimensions rather than extending linearly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the folded optical path elements are integrated within a compact camera module structure. The multiple optical components including the OPFEs and lens are nested closely together in a space-efficient configuration, allowing large aperture areas while maintaining small device dimensions suitable for mobile devices
3Area of moving object
If the scanning range is expanded to cover a wider area, then the effective field-of-view increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning function into two independent OPFEs, each controlled by its own actuator along perpendicular axes. This segmentation simplifies the control mechanism compared to rotating a single OPFE along two directions, as each actuator only needs to control one degree of freedom, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the desired scanning range
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
The design provides a scanning Tele camera with a field-of-view equal to or greater than the Wide camera's field-of-view, minimizing aberrations and Roll effects, and allowing for large aperture areas within the size constraints of mobile devices, enhancing image quality and capture capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an O-OPFE for folding a first optical path OP1 to a second optical path OP2
Implementation Method 2
an I-OPFE for folding OP2 to a third optical path OP3
Implementation Method 3
using prisms with refractive indices greater than 1.7
Data Source
AI summary
Scanning Tele cameras (STCs) based on two optical path folding element (OPFE) field-of-view scanning and mobile devices including such STCs. A STC may comprise a first OPFE (O-OPFE) for folding a first optical path OP1 to a second optical path OP2, an O-OPFE actuator, a second OPFE (I-OPFE) for folding OP2 to a third optical path OP3, an I-OPFE actuator, a lens, a lens actuator and an image sensor, wherein the STC has a STC native field-of-view (n-FOVT), wherein the O-OPFE actuator is configured to rotate the O-OPFE around a first axis and the I-OPFE actuator rotates the I-OPFE around a second axis for scanning a scene with the n-FOVT, wherein the lens actuator is configured to move the lens for focusing along a third axis, and wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis and parallel to the third axis.