Imaging Lens Solid-Angle Indication for Illumination Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging lenses struggle to effectively control and optimize the relative relationship between the observation and irradiation solid angles, making it difficult to set the irradiation solid angle based on the observation solid angle, especially when the shape, size, or tilt of the observation solid angle at each point on the imaging object is unknown.
Innovation Solution
The imaging lens explicitly indicates the size and tilt of the observation solid angle at each point, allowing for easy identification and adjustment of the irradiation solid angle by using plane half or full angles as references, even when the lens is telecentric or non-telecentric, and incorporates a variable stop diaphragm for manual or automatic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the observation solid angle parameters are not explicitly indicated, then the imaging lens can be designed with simpler specifications, but it becomes difficult to control and optimize the relative relationship between observation solid angle and irradiation solid angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and explicitly indicating the observation solid angle parameters (size and tilt) in the lens specifications before the actual imaging operation. This allows users to plan and optimize the irradiation solid angle in advance based on known observation solid angle characteristics, enabling proper setting of the relative relationship between observation and irradiation solid angles without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
2Ease of manufacture
If the observation solid angle size is indicated by numerical aperture (NA), then the specification follows conventional optical standards, but the scale difference between NA and solid angle makes it difficult to intuitively grasp and control the solid angle size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by providing an explicit indication of the observation solid angle parameters that replicates or complements the conventional NA specification. Instead of replacing the NA value, the patent adds explicit solid angle size indication (such as half-angle or full-angle values) that serves as a direct copy or translation of the NA parameter into more intuitive solid angle terms, allowing users to easily grasp the actual solid angle size without needing to perform trigonometric conversions.
3Ease of operation
If explicit observation solid angle indication is added to the specification, then the control and optimization of irradiation solid angle becomes easier, but the specification and documentation become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the explicit indication system to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same explicit solid angle parameter indication serves both as a design reference for optimizing the irradiation solid angle and as a documentation element for understanding the lens characteristics. This multi-functional approach allows the additional information to support both ease of operation and design optimization without requiring separate complex systems.
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 enables precise control over the brightness and dark distribution of the captured image, reflecting the surface tilt and shape of the imaging object, and allows intuitive design of the illumination system, regardless of the type of light returned from the object.
Implementation Method 1
an observation solid angle for each point on the imaging object is formed, and in the light radiated from the each point on the imaging object, light radiated within the observation solid angle forms an image on respective points
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
When an imaging object is imaged, relative relationship of an irradiation solid angle formed by an irradiation light to an observation solid angle formed through an imaging lens is an essential parameter for optimizing precisely imaging conditions. The object is to make the optimizing imaging condition setting process effective by making the scales indicating the observation solid angle and the irradiation solid angle the same. [Means for solving the object] In order to know the size of the observation solid angle formed through the imaging lens at each point on the imaging object, the plane half or full angle thereof, the magnification, and in the case where the observation solid angle varies according to distance between the imaging lens and the imaging object, the varying coefficient and the value of the plane half or full angle of the observation solid angle, are indicated with scale of angle at proper portion on the imaging lens, or by a specification of the imaging lens, so that the plane half or full angle of the observation solid angle actually formed may be easily calculated.