Electrochromic Apodized Aperture for Mobile Camera Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduced size of mobile communication devices restricts the use of mechanical camera irises, leading to poor image quality due to inadequate light control, depth of field issues, and lens aberrations, as mechanical irises are impractical for these devices due to bulk and reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
An electrochromic apodized aperture with variable light transmittance in response to applied electrical voltage, comprising substrates with conductive layers and an electrochromic medium, which mimics the human eye's pupil dilation and constriction, allowing for automatic adjustment of light intake and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a mechanical camera iris is used to control light intake and depth of field, then image quality can be improved, but the device bulk and complexity increase making it impractical for mobile communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical iris diaphragm system with an electrochromic aperture system. The electrochromic medium changes its optical properties (from transparent to opaque) in response to applied voltage, enabling aperture control without moving parts. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity and bulk while maintaining the light control function necessary for image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the electrochromic effect where the optical transmission parameter of the medium is changed by applying electrical voltage. The electrochromic medium transitions between transparent and opaque states, dynamically controlling the aperture opening size. This parameter change mechanism provides a compact, reliable alternative to mechanical iris adjustment while preserving depth of field and light intake control for improved image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If a mechanical camera iris is used to adjust aperture opening, then depth of field and image sharpness can be improved, but reliability decreases due to moving parts in compact devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical iris with an electrochromic aperture system that has no moving parts. The aperture opening is controlled by changing the optical transmission of the electrochromic medium through applied voltage, eliminating mechanical wear and failure modes. This solid-state approach significantly improves reliability while maintaining the ability to adjust depth of field and image sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic medium provides continuous variable control of the aperture opening by partially changing its optical transmission state. By applying varying voltage levels, the medium can achieve any intermediate state between fully transparent and fully opaque, enabling precise control of the effective aperture size for optimized image sharpness and depth of field without mechanical complexity.
3Device complexity
If aperture size is fixed in mobile device cameras, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to inadequate light control at different lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the aperture opening through the electrochromic medium that can change its optical transmission in real-time in response to applied voltage. This dynamic capability allows the aperture to adapt to different lighting conditions (low light, high light) by adjusting the effective opening size, thereby maintaining high image quality across varying environments while keeping the device structure simple and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic aperture system provides multiple functions within a single compact component: it controls light intake, adjusts depth of field, and compensates for lens aberrations. The electrochromic medium serves as both the aperture control mechanism and the optical element, eliminating the need for separate mechanical iris components and enabling improved image quality across diverse shooting conditions while maintaining device simplicity.
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 enhances image quality by automatically adjusting light transmittance, reducing noise, and increasing depth of field, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design suitable for mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar surface of the second substrate
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate. The profiles of Figures 1-6 demonstrate the function of an electrochromic apodized iris.