Imaging Device Spectroscopic Beam Splitting Autofocus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with camera functions face challenges in achieving high image quality and focus accuracy due to structural limitations, particularly when using a dual-lens system, which results in an unattractive appearance and reduced focus accuracy in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a spectroscopic unit that splits incident light into two beams for separate imaging modules, allowing automatic switching between phase detection and contrast detection autofocus modes based on ambient light brightness, enabling dual-lens optical zooming with a single lens hole appearance and enhanced focus accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dual-lens system is used to achieve optical zooming effect, then image quality is improved, but the appearance becomes less attractive due to two lens holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate lens systems into a single integrated imaging module. The first and second imaging modules are positioned within the same housing, sharing a common optical path and focusing sensor, while maintaining separate lens assemblies for different focal lengths. This allows the device to achieve dual-lens optical zooming functionality through a single lens opening, eliminating the need for two separate lens holes in the device appearance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-lens system is used, then optical zooming effect is achieved, but focus accuracy is reduced in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hybrid autofocus system where the focusing sensor serves multiple functions: it detects focus for both the first and second imaging modules, and automatically switches between phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and contrast detection autofocus (CDAF) modes based on ambient light conditions. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain accurate focus across different lighting environments while supporting optical zooming capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The autofocus system dynamically adapts its operating mode based on ambient light brightness. The processor controls the switching between PDAF and CDAF modes according to real-time lighting conditions, enabling the system to optimize focus accuracy for each specific shooting scenario while maintaining the optical zooming capability provided by the dual-lens configuration.
3Speed
If phase detection autofocus mode is used, then focus speed is improved, but focus accuracy deteriorates in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The autofocus system dynamically switches between PDAF and CDAF modes based on ambient light brightness detected by the processor. In bright light conditions, the system uses PDAF for fast focusing, while in low-light conditions, it automatically transitions to CDAF mode which provides better focus accuracy despite slower speed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between focus speed and accuracy across different lighting environments.
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
The solution allows for a dual-lens optical zooming effect with a single lens hole, improving focus accuracy even in dim lighting conditions by dynamically switching autofocus modes according to ambient light levels.
Implementation Method 1
a spectroscopic unit, receives an incident beam and splits the incident beam into a first spectroscopic beam and a second spectroscopic beam
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device and an imaging method are provided. An incident beam is separated into a first spectroscopic beam and a second spectroscopic beam by a spectroscopic unit and the first spectroscopic beam and the second spectroscopic beam are respectively incident on a first imaging module and a second imaging module. One of a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) mode and a contrast detection autofocus (CDAF) mode of the first imaging module is activated based on a brightness of an ambient light source. The first imaging module and the second imaging module are activated to shoot at a partially overlapping field of view (FOV) to obtain a first image and a second image. The first image and the second image are superimposed to obtain a composite image.