Electrooptical Sensor with Dynamically Allocable Optics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging systems face limitations in simultaneously acquiring high-resolution images at different scales or magnifications, particularly in remote-operated vehicles like drones, where operators struggle to view both broad regions and narrow details effectively, leading to impaired situational awareness and operational effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of an imaging system with dynamically allocable field of view and magnification, utilizing a single objective system to generate multiple imaging planes with adjustable fields of view and magnifications, eliminating the need for separate cameras and reducing system complexity, weight, and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cameras are used to capture images at different scales, then imaging capability at various magnifications is improved, but system complexity, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single camera system that can dynamically adjust its field of view to capture images at multiple magnification levels. The camera uses variable focal length lenses and digital processing to provide both wide-angle and telephoto imaging capabilities, eliminating the need for multiple separate camera systems while maintaining the ability to capture images at different scales and magnifications
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cameras are used to capture images at different scales, then imaging capability at various magnifications is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging functions into a single camera system. By merging wide-angle and telephoto capabilities into one camera with variable focal length and digital zoom processing, the system achieves multi-scale imaging without the weight penalty of carrying and mounting multiple separate camera systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cameras are used to capture images at different scales, then imaging capability at various magnifications is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single camera system performs multiple imaging functions sequentially using one sensor and processing unit. The camera can switch between wide-angle and telephoto modes by adjusting focal length and applying digital processing, which consumes less power than simultaneously operating multiple separate camera systems with their own sensors and processors
4Device complexity
If a single objective system is used to generate multiple imaging planes, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously acquire high-resolution images at different magnifications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic focal length adjustment within the single camera system. The variable focal length lens can be rapidly adjusted between wide-angle and telephoto settings, and the system uses digital image processing to maintain high resolution across different magnification levels. This dynamic capability allows the single camera to achieve multi-scale imaging quality comparable to multiple fixed cameras
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
Enables simultaneous high-resolution imaging at various scales, enhancing operator awareness and decision-making capabilities while maintaining a compact, lightweight, and power-efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
The controllable lens varies its focal length by changing the shape of the liquid lens
Data Source
AI summary
Plural image planes are illuminated through a single image-collecting objective system. The field of view or magnification (or both), is allocated dynamically among the plural planes. Preferably the planes include two detector planes—one corresponding to a wide field of view (FOV) and the other to a steerable narrow one. Allocation is performed by a beam splitter in combination with a steering mirror, or steering-mirror array, that steers both fields together. The splitter isolates radiation corresponding to the narrow FOV from radiation corresponding to the wide FOV. In method forms of the invention, an electrooptical observation system produces simultaneous plural images for a region of interest. The system displays simultaneous images having respective plural resolutions. In operation a first, relatively wider FOV continuously covers a region of interest; while the second is narrower and has finer resolution than the first.