Foveated Imaging System with Beam Splitter and Adaptive Wavefront Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foveated imaging systems are costly, heavy, and power-intensive, and often fail to provide a wide field of view while simultaneously offering foveated images in real-time, especially for military and surveillance applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of catadioptric optical systems with a wide-angle lens and adaptive optical elements, including a frontend optic, beam splitter, wide field of view image detector, scanning component, adaptive wavefront corrector, and optical magnifier, which enable wide field of view imaging with concurrent zoom capability and localized aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gimbals and multiple cameras are used to achieve foveated imaging, then foveation capability is improved, but cost, weight, size, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the foveated view and wide field of view imaging paths into a single optical system using a beam splitter. The frontend optic captures the entire scene, and the beam splitter divides the light into two paths: one for the foveated view (through the scanning component and adaptive wavefront corrector) and one for the wide field of view. This integration eliminates the need for separate cameras and gimbals, significantly reducing weight while maintaining foveation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical gimbal systems with an adaptive optical system using a scanning component (such as a MEMS mirror) and adaptive wavefront corrector. Instead of mechanically moving heavy lens groups or cameras to achieve foveation, the system uses electronically controllable optical elements to redirect and correct light paths, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical stabilization and positioning mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gimbals and multiple cameras are used to achieve foveated imaging, then foveation capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging functions (foveated view and wide field of view) into a single optical path using a beam splitter. This merging approach reduces the number of separate camera systems and mechanical components needed, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to provide both foveated and contextual views simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The frontend optic serves multiple functions: it captures the entire wide field of view scene and simultaneously provides the light for both the foveated view path and the wide field of view path. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate optical systems, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining versatility.
3Area of stationary object
If traditional optical systems are used, then wide field of view is achieved, but real-time zooming and foveation capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements into the optical system, specifically a scanning component (such as a MEMS mirror) and an adaptive wavefront corrector that can be electronically controlled in real-time. These dynamic components allow the system to rapidly adjust the foveated view position and magnification without mechanical movement of the entire optical system, enabling real-time zooming and target tracking while maintaining the wide field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical path into distinct functional regions: the frontend optic for wide field of view capture, the beam splitter for path division, the scanning component for foveated view selection, and the adaptive wavefront corrector for aberration correction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide both wide field of view and real-time zooming capability.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, lightweight, and power-efficient method for achieving wide field of view imaging with foveation, allowing for real-time multiple target tracking and simultaneous wide and foveated image capture.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter configured to receive light exiting from the frontend optic and divide the light exiting from the frontend optic into a first beam and a second beam
Implementation Method 2
a scanning component controllable by one or more scan position signals, configured to receive all or part of the second beam and reflect a portion of the second beam towards the adaptive wavefront corrector
Implementation Method 3
The adaptive wavefront corrector is configured to correct the portion of the second beam reflected by the scanning component based on the one or more wavefront correction signals to obtain a corrected portion of the second beam
Implementation Method 4
an optical magnifier, interposed in a light path between the scanning component and the foveated image detector
Implementation Method 5
a frontend optic configured to receive light from a scene in a wide field of view (WFOV)
Data Source
AI summary
Selected described embodiments include an imager providing concurrent wide field of view (WFOV) and foveated images. The imager includes a frontend optic configured to receive light from a scene. Corrective optics reduces distortions, and transmits the light to a beam splitter. One portion of the light exiting the beam splitter is focused on a WFOV image detector. A second portion of the light falls on a scanning mirror that can be configured to target a selected field position in the field of view. From the scanning mirror, the light passes through a magnifier and is corrected by an adaptive wavefront corrector. The corrector may be configured to correct aberrations corresponding to the particular field of view selected by the scanning mirror. The light from the wavefront corrector is focused on a foveated image detector. The images captured by the image detectors may be stored, processed, and transmitted to other systems.