Imaging Optics for Superimposed Wide-Angle and Telephoto Capture

Solution Overview

Problem

Imaging devices face a trade-off between focal length and angle of view, limiting the ability to capture detailed optical information across a wide range simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with an optical system and optical elements that guide light at different angles to superimpose images on a light receiving area, allowing separation and detection of movement direction using machine learning-based image separation models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the focal length is longer, then detailed optical information of distant targets is obtained, but the angle of view becomes narrower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetailed optical informationVSAvoidangle of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple images captured at different focal lengths into a single composite image. The composite image generation unit combines the wide-angle image (captured at short focal length) and the telephoto image (captured at long focal length) to produce a final image that exhibits both wide angle of view and high detail, effectively resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the focal length by switching between multiple focal length settings (first focal length for wide angle, second focal length for telephoto) based on the imaging requirements. The imaging control unit coordinates the capture of images at different focal lengths and manages the composite image generation process, enabling the system to adaptively optimize between angle of view and detail precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of moving object

If the focal length is shorter, then the angle of view becomes wider, but detailed optical information is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle of viewVSAvoiddetailed optical information

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple images captured at different focal lengths into a single composite image. The composite image generation unit combines the wide-angle image (captured at short focal length) and the telephoto image (captured at long focal length) to produce a final image that exhibits both wide angle of view and high detail, effectively resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the focal length by switching between multiple focal length settings (first focal length for wide angle, second focal length for telephoto) based on the imaging requirements. The imaging control unit coordinates the capture of images at different focal lengths and manages the composite image generation process, enabling the system to adaptively optimize between angle of view and detail precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If multiple fixed focal length lenses are used to adjust focal length, then desired optical information can be obtained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical informationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single imaging device perform multiple functions by capturing images at different focal lengths using the same imaging sensor and processing unit. The imaging control unit manages the switching between focal lengths and coordinates the composite image generation, allowing one device to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated lenses or camera systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple images captured at different focal lengths into a single composite image. The composite image generation unit combines the wide-angle image (captured at short focal length) and the telephoto image (captured at long focal length) to produce a final image that exhibits both wide angle of view and high detail, effectively resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4701218A1Imaging device

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KYOCERA CORP

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AI summary

An imaging device (10) includes: an optical system (11) configured to form an image of incident first light on a predetermined light receiving area of an imaging element (12); an optical element (13) configured to guide second light, the angle between an optical axis of the optical system and a principal ray of the second light incident on the optical system being different from that of the first light, to the predetermined light receiving area, superimpose the second light on the image of the first light, and allow the second light to be captured by the imaging element; and a controller (14) configured to separate the image formed by the first light and an image formed by the second light from an image signal of a superimposed image output by the imaging element in which the image formed by the first light and the image formed by the second light are superimposed. The controller separates the image formed by the first light and the image formed by the second light based on the fact that a movement direction of an arbitrary subject image in the superimposed image is different in the image formed by the first light and the image formed by the second light.