Integrated Illumination-Aimer Optics for Compact Multi-Projector Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging apparatuses suffer from increased size, material cost, and irreparable component offsets due to separate structural supports and adjustments for multiple illumination and aimer optics components, leading to alignment complexities and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An integrated illumination-aimer optics design that combines multiple components into a single piece, minimizing separation and structural elements, allowing for alignment without separate adjustments and reducing the overall apparatus size and material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate structural supports and adjustments are used for multiple illumination and aimer optics components, then each component can be individually positioned, but the apparatus size increases and alignment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent positioning flexibilityVSAvoidapparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate optical components (illumination optics and aimer optics) into a single integrated optical assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate structural supports and adjustment mechanisms for each component, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size while maintaining positioning flexibility through the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If separate structural supports and adjustments are used for multiple illumination and aimer optics components, then each component can be individually positioned, but the number of structural elements and material cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent positioning flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of structural elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple optical components into a single integrated assembly, which eliminates the need for separate structural supports and adjustment mechanisms for each component. This reduction in the number of discrete structural elements simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If separate structural supports and adjustments are used for multiple illumination and aimer optics components, then each component can be individually positioned, but alignment precision is compromised due to irreparable component offsets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent positioning flexibilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple optical components into a single unified structure, which eliminates the irreparable offsets that occur when components are separately mounted on individual structural supports. This integration ensures precise relative positioning of all optical elements while maintaining the ability to adjust the entire assembly as a unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If separate structural supports and adjustments are used for multiple illumination and aimer optics components, then each component can be individually positioned, but the apparatus becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent positioning flexibilityVSAvoidapparatus efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical components into a single integrated assembly, which reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies the apparatus structure. This integration improves apparatus efficiency by reducing manufacturing complexity, lowering material costs, and enabling more compact design, while still allowing for necessary adjustments to be made to the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integrated design achieves a smaller form factor, reduced material costs, and improved alignment precision, resulting in a more compact and efficient imaging apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

the integrated illumination-aimer optics is coated with an anti-reflective coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnti-reflective coating: Anti-Reflective Coating

Data Source

PatentEP4276528B1Integrated illumination-aimer imaging apparatuses
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 HAND HELD PRODS INC
  • EP4276528B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4276528B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4276528B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

Various embodiments described herein provide multi-projector (i.e., two or more) imaging apparatuses utilizing integrated illumination-aimer optics. Embodiments of the present disclosure minimize irreparable component offset to improve overall accuracy associated with the functioning of the apparatuses. Additionally, the integrated illumination-aimer optics enables embodiments disclosed herein to be provided in a significantly smaller form factor than conventional multi-projector imaging apparatuses. An example apparatus includes a near-field imaging lens and a far-field imaging lens, an integrated illumination-aimer optics positioned between the near-field imaging lens and the far-field imaging lens, a near-field illuminator source and a far-field illuminator source positioned for projecting via the integrated illumination-aimer optics, a near-field imaging sensor associated with the near-field imaging lens, a far-field imaging sensor associated with the far-field imaging lens, and an apparatus chassis to align the various components for operation.