Dynamic Lens Shift for Region-Specific Focus in Mobile Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small form factor cameras in mobile devices capture images at lower resolutions and with lower image quality due to limitations in camera technology, requiring compact photosensors and imaging lens systems that struggle to achieve high resolution and improved imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
The camera system dynamically adjusts its lens system during image capture using an actuator mechanism to change focus, depth of field, and perspective across different regions of the image, employing technologies like voice coil motors, optical microelectromechanical systems, and liquid-crystal lenses, allowing for real-time optical adjustments based on user input or autofocus information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lens system is moved as a single rigid body along the optical axis to refocus the camera, then the focusing mechanism is simple and compact, but the ability to achieve different optical effects in different regions of the image is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system is divided into multiple independent lens elements (first lens element, second lens element, third lens element) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows different regions of the image to have different optical characteristics, enabling selective focus and other region-specific optical effects while maintaining a relatively compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of lens elements during image capture. The controller dynamically adjusts the position of individual lens elements based on scan position information, enabling real-time changes in focus and optical effects across different regions of the image, transforming a static lens system into a dynamic one.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional small form factor cameras use compact photosensors and imaging lens systems, then the camera size is reduced for mobile devices, but image resolution and quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lens system into multiple controllable elements, the patent achieves better control over light paths in a compact space. This allows high-resolution imaging despite the small overall camera size, as each lens element can be optimized for specific optical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters dynamically during image capture by adjusting lens element positions. This enables the compact camera to achieve variable focus and optical effects that would normally require larger, more complex lens systems, thereby improving image quality within a small form factor.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lens system is adjusted prior to capturing an image and remains stationary during capture, then the mechanism is simple and stable, but different optical effects cannot be achieved in different regions of the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static lens system into a dynamic one by implementing real-time adjustment of lens elements during image capture. The controller receives scan position information and dynamically adjusts lens element positions accordingly, enabling different optical effects in different regions while maintaining overall system stability through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous adjustment of the lens system throughout the image capture process. Rather than adjusting once before capture and remaining stationary, the lens elements are continuously adjusted in coordination with the scanning process, maintaining optimal optical conditions throughout the entire capture sequence.
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 high-resolution image capture with improved image quality by dynamically adjusting optical effects such as focus and perspective during image capture, enhancing the performance of small form factor cameras in mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator may include a voice coil motor (VCM) mechanism that uses magnets to control movement of the lens system
Implementation Method 2
The optical actuator may include, but is not limited to, a substrate (e.g., a clear glass or plastic substrate), an optical element 212 (e.g., a flexible lens), and an actuator component that is configured to change the shape of the optical element
Implementation Method 3
Other lens technologies that allow optical characteristics of a lens to be dynamically changed may be used, including but not limited to liquid-crystal technology lenses
Implementation Method 4
a lens system 102, an actuator component 104, and a controller component 180 configured to direct adjustment of the lens system by the actuator component during capture of an image by a photosensor 150 of the camera body to achieve different optical effects at different regions of the captured image
Data Source
AI summary
Camera modules that may be dynamically adjusted during capture of an image. The camera may include a sensor that captures images using line scan imaging or other scanning technologies. A controller may dynamically control adjustment or movement of the camera lens by an actuator as an image is scanned by the sensor. The lens may be controlled to be in different positions and in different orientations in relation to the sensor as different lines or areas of pixels of the sensor are read. When capturing an image, a region of the sensor may be read, the lens may be adjusted, and a next region of the sensor may be read according to a pattern. Different focus, depth of field, perspective, and other effects may be achieved at different areas or regions of the image during image capture.