Electrochromic Apodized Aperture for Camera Depth of Field
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cell phone camera modules lack adjustable lens apertures, leading to poor image quality due to fixed large apertures, resulting in objectionable shot noise, reduced sharpness, and poor depth of field, which is exacerbated by increasing pixel density and cost constraints, making existing mechanical irises too expensive, bulky, or fragile.
Innovation Solution
An electrochromic apodized aperture system that adjusts light transmittance through an applied electrical current, using an aperture body with a fluid containment area and electrochromic fluid, allowing for variable light transmission and emulating the human eye's dilation and constriction, thereby increasing depth of field and adjusting aperture size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical iris is used to adjust lens aperture, then aperture control and depth of field are improved, but cost, device complexity, and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical iris system with an electrochromic aperture system. The electrochromic material changes its light transmission properties when voltage is applied, allowing aperture control without moving parts. This eliminates the mechanical blades, springs, and motor components of traditional irises, directly resolving the contradiction between aperture control capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic material's optical parameters (light transmission) are changed by applying electrical voltage. By controlling the voltage applied to different regions of the electrochromic material, the aperture size and shape can be dynamically adjusted without mechanical movement. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by achieving aperture adaptability through electrical rather than mechanical means.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical iris is used to adjust lens aperture, then aperture control and depth of field are improved, but cost and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical iris system with an electrochromic aperture system. The electrochromic material changes its light transmission properties when voltage is applied, allowing aperture control without moving parts. This eliminates the mechanical blades, springs, and motor components of traditional irises, directly resolving the contradiction between aperture control capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic material's optical parameters (light transmission) are changed by applying electrical voltage. By controlling the voltage applied to different regions of the electrochromic material, the aperture size and shape can be dynamically adjusted without mechanical movement. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by achieving aperture adaptability through electrical rather than mechanical means.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical iris is used to adjust lens aperture, then aperture control and depth of field are improved, but reliability decreases due to durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical iris system with an electrochromic aperture system. The electrochromic material changes its light transmission properties when voltage is applied, allowing aperture control without moving parts. This eliminates the mechanical blades, springs, and motor components of traditional irises, directly resolving the contradiction between aperture control capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic material's optical parameters (light transmission) are changed by applying electrical voltage. By controlling the voltage applied to different regions of the electrochromic material, the aperture size and shape can be dynamically adjusted without mechanical movement. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by achieving aperture adaptability through electrical rather than mechanical means.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a fixed large aperture is used in cell phone cameras, then sensitivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to shot noise and reduced depth of field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic aperture system using electrochromic material that can change its light transmission in real-time. Unlike a fixed large aperture, the electrochromic aperture can dynamically adjust its size and shape to optimize the balance between light sensitivity and image quality. When sensitivity is needed, the aperture opens; when image quality is prioritized, the aperture can close or adopt apodized shapes to reduce noise and improve depth of field.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic material's optical parameters (light transmission) are changed by applying electrical voltage. By controlling the voltage applied to different regions of the electrochromic material, the aperture size and shape can be dynamically adjusted without mechanical movement. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by achieving aperture adaptability through electrical rather than mechanical means.
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 electrochromic apodized aperture system provides adjustable light transmittance, enhancing image quality by increasing depth of field and aperture control without the drawbacks of mechanical irises, such as cost, bulk, or fragility, while maintaining image sharpness and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming an optical element which includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current is disclosed. The apodized aperture includes a body including an area defining the clear aperture area wherein a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.