Imaging Unit Light Guide for Mobile Close-Up Obstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In close-up imaging using mobile terminals, the illumination light from the lighting section is often obstructed by the close-up lens, leading to insufficient illumination of the imaging target.

Innovation Solution

An imaging unit with an optical member that guides illumination light from the lighting section around the side of the close-up lens, ensuring that light reaches the target without obstruction, and includes adjustable mechanisms for precise alignment and emission direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a close-up lens is attached to the imaging section for magnification imaging, then the imaging magnification is improved, but the illumination light from the lighting section is obstructed by the lens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging magnificationVSAvoidillumination light intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light guide member that extends illumination light in a new spatial dimension, routing light from the lighting section around the close-up lens to reach the imaging target. This dimensional approach allows light to bypass the lens obstruction rather than attempting to pass through or around it in the traditional plane, effectively resolving the contradiction between achieving magnification and maintaining illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the lighting section is used as is for close-up imaging, then the device structure is simple, but illumination light is shaded by the close-up lens and insufficient light reaches the target

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidillumination light intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light guide member as an intermediary component between the lighting section and the imaging target. This mediator component redirects and transports illumination light around the close-up lens, enabling light to reach the target without requiring fundamental changes to the existing lighting section structure, thus balancing added functionality with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If illumination light is directed straight from the lighting section to the target, then the light path is short and simple, but the light path is blocked by the close-up lens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight path lengthVSAvoidillumination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the illumination path into multiple sections: light from the lighting section first enters the light guide member, then travels through the light guide member's internal structure, and finally exits to illuminate the target. This segmentation allows the light to navigate around the close-up lens obstruction while maintaining an efficient overall path, ensuring reliable illumination despite the extended routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively prevents light obstruction, ensuring uniform illumination of the close-up target and improving image quality by directing light around the lens, thus enhancing the imaging system's performance.

Implementation Method 1

an optical member that guides illumination light from the lighting section, from the lighting section of the mobile terminal toward a side of the target rather than an end of the lens section on the side of the target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3232265B1Imaging unit and imaging system
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP3232265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3232265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3232265B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an imaging unit 3 including: an attachment member PR that is attached to a mobile terminal which includes an imaging section and a lighting section; a lens section LZ that is disposed at a position corresponding to the imaging section of the mobile terminal and is used to take a close-up of a target; and an optical member OP that guides illumination light from the lighting section, from the lighting section of the mobile terminal to a side of the target rather than an end of the lens section on the side of the target.