Lens Array Camera Using Relatively Prime Sensor Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in maintaining image quality and sensitivity while reducing the size of a lens array camera, as smaller sensors and lenses lead to decreased light incidence and resolution, particularly in low-illuminance environments, and existing methods compromise on resolution or sensitivity to achieve smaller size.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a lens array camera where the number of sensing elements and lenses are relatively prime, arranged in a fraction structure, allowing each lens to cover a fraction of sensing elements, enabling simultaneous driving of groups of sensing elements to restore high-resolution images while maintaining desired viewing angles and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the sensor is reduced to make the lens array camera smaller, then the volume of the device is reduced, but the amount of light incident on the sensor decreases and the resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple sensing elements arranged in a specific pattern where the number of sensing elements and lenses are relatively prime. This segmentation allows each lens to cover a unique fraction of sensing elements, enabling the system to capture multiple viewpoints simultaneously while maintaining high resolution despite the reduced sensor size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional arrangement by positioning sensing elements at non-integer multiples of lens spacing, creating a fractional overlap pattern. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the system to achieve super-resolution by capturing light from multiple angles through the relatively prime arrangement, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the imaging process.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of the lens is reduced to make the lens array camera smaller, then the volume of the device is reduced, but the light-gathering capability decreases and sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens array is segmented into multiple small lenses with N rows of N lenses, where each lens is optimized for its specific zone. The segmentation combined with the relatively prime arrangement allows each small lens to contribute to multiple sensing elements, effectively distributing the light-gathering function across the entire array and maintaining sensitivity despite individual lens size reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lens in the array serves multiple functions by covering fractions of multiple sensing elements simultaneously. The relatively prime arrangement ensures that each lens contributes to capturing light for multiple viewpoints, making each individual lens more versatile and efficient, thereby maintaining overall system sensitivity despite reduced lens size.
3Measurement precision
If the number of sensing elements is increased to maintain resolution with smaller lenses, then the device complexity increases, but the size reduction goal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where the number of sensing elements is deliberately chosen to be relatively prime to the number of lenses, creating a non-uniform fractional overlap pattern. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the distribution of light across sensing elements while maintaining manageable device complexity, as the mathematical relationship between lens count and sensing element count provides a systematic framework for the arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of driving a lens array camera may include simultaneously driving a first group of sensing elements from among a plurality of sensing elements, each sensing element from among the first group of sensing elements corresponding to a same original signal viewpoint, wherein the plurality of sensing elements is included in a sensor corresponding to the lens array camera including N rows of N lenses, N being a natural number.