HOE Wide-Angle Camera Optics With One Sensor and Low Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide-angle camera systems for virtual reality and motor vehicle applications face issues with large, curved lens elements causing light reflections and optical distortions, and using multiple cameras increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A camera device employing holographic optical elements (HOEs) with selective deflection structures to enlarge the field of view, allowing for cost-effective capture of a wide-angle image by simulating the optical function of multiple lenses with a single image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If wide-angle lenses are used to enlarge the field of view, then the viewing angle is increased, but the lens size increases and optical distortions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lens system with a holographic optical element (HOE) that uses diffraction patterns to achieve wide-angle imaging. The HOE contains multiple deflection structures with specific diffraction patterns that redirect light from different angle-of-incidence regions to corresponding capture regions on the image sensor, eliminating the need for large, curved lens elements while maintaining the enlarged field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The HOE is divided into multiple deflection structures, each responsible for a specific angle-of-incidence region. Each deflection structure has diffraction patterns tailored to its assigned region, allowing the system to capture and process different portions of the wide field of view separately and combine them into a comprehensive image.
2Area of moving object
If multiple individual cameras are used to capture a large field of view, then the viewing angle is increased, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple cameras into a single camera system equipped with an HOE. The HOE integrates multiple deflection structures that collectively perform the field-of-view expansion function that would otherwise require multiple separate cameras, reducing the system to a single installation location with one image sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera system with HOE performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures light from multiple angle-of-incidence regions, processes different spectral ranges through wavelength-selective deflection structures, and generates a comprehensive wide-angle image, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized cameras.
3Area of moving object
If traditional lenses are used for wide-angle imaging, then the field of view is enlarged, but light reflections occur at lens edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional lens-based optical system with a holographic diffraction-based system. The HOE uses computationally designed diffraction patterns to redirect light without the reflective surfaces inherent in traditional lenses, eliminating edge reflections and optical aberrations while maintaining wide-angle capture 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
Enables simultaneous capture of a wide-angle image with reduced optical distortions and lower costs by using HOEs to divide the field of view into multiple angle-of-incidence regions, processed into a single image data set for a comprehensive view without the need for multiple cameras.
Implementation Method 1
an HOE has a deflection structure, for example in the form of an optical grating. In this case, HOEs have the advantage that they can be embodied such that they are selective or sensitive for different wavelengths and/or different angle-of-incidence regions depending on the configuration of the deflection structure.
Implementation Method 2
the HOE can be used to divert or deflect light from the surroundings to be imaged to the image capturing unit, that is to say the image sensor, for example.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device having an enlarged or wide-angle field of view generates images of surroundings simultaneously using only one image capturing unit, such as an image sensor, for example. The camera device uses a diverting unit disposed upstream of the image capturing unit. The diverting unit includes so-called holographic optical elements which, based on their deflection structures, divert or deflect light so that the camera device can capture the wide-angle field of view, without generating imaging aberrations on the resulting image(s). The deflection structures are wavelength-selective and/or angle-selective. The total field of view is subdivided into individual angle-of-incidence regions by virtue of the properties of the deflection structures.