Removable Lens Attachment for Authentic Ghost Image Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for intentionally introducing stray light effects, such as lens flare, into camera images are limited in capability and often result in image degradation or require costly and complex setups, lacking the genuine character of authentic flare.
Innovation Solution
A removable camera lens attachment with two optical elements aligned to share an optical axis with a prime lens, featuring curved surfaces that reflect light to create ghost images without significant distortion or image degradation, altering the effective focal length by no more than 15%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If filters or scattering materials are placed in the optical path to generate stray light effects, then scatter effects can be produced, but ghost images with authentic look and feel cannot be generated and image quality may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lens attachment as an intermediary optical element that contains specific reflective surfaces. This attachment mediates between the prime lens and the scene, creating ghost images through controlled reflections while maintaining overall image quality. The attachment acts as a mediator that generates stray light effects without directly degrading the main image path.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into the prime lens and a separate removable lens attachment. The attachment contains dedicated reflective surfaces for generating ghost images, while the prime lens maintains its primary imaging function. This segmentation allows the ghost image generation to be added without compromising the main lens's image quality.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If vintage lenses with lower quality coatings are used to enhance stray light, then ghost images can be generated, but the lenses are in limited supply, of variable quality, and present mounting challenges
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using vintage lenses, the patent creates a modern reproduction of the desired optical effect through a lens attachment with specifically designed reflective surfaces. This copying approach replicates the ghost image generation capability of vintage lenses while using modern manufacturing standards and mounting interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from modifying existing vintage lenses to creating a separate attachment with controlled reflective parameters. The attachment uses precisely engineered surface reflectivities to generate ghost images, providing consistent and predictable results unlike variable quality vintage lenses.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If filter-based methods with scattering materials are used to introduce stray light, then scatter effects can be generated, but they cannot generate ghost images with authentic look and the methods are complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex filter-based scattering mechanisms with a simpler optical reflection system. Instead of using scattering materials that require precise positioning and adjustment, the lens attachment uses reflective surfaces that naturally generate ghost images through geometric optics, simplifying the overall system.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If post-production technology is used to artificially introduce ghost images, then ghost images can be added, but the process is time-consuming and costly and lacks genuine character
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the ghost image generation action preliminarily, during the actual photo capture process, rather than in post-production. The lens attachment creates ghost images at the moment of image acquisition, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-production processing while maintaining authentic visual characteristics.
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 lens attachment effectively imparts stray light effects while maintaining image quality, providing a genuine look of ghost images without perceptible distortion or image softening, allowing for controlled flare effects that enhance scene realism.
Implementation Method 1
a first surface that is conditioned to reflect a first portion of the incident light away from the image plane as reflected stray light and a second surface that is conditioned to reflect a second portion of the reflected stray light back toward the image plane to form a ghost image
Data Source
AI summary
A removable camera lens attachment has at least two optical elements, wherein the at least two optical elements are aligned to share an optical axis with a prime lens of the camera. The lens attachment has at least two curved surfaces. The at least two optical elements have a first surface that is conditioned to reflect a first portion of the incident light away from the image plane as reflected stray light and a second surface that is conditioned to reflect a second portion of the reflected stray light back toward the image plane to form a ghost image on an image plane of the prime lens. The lens attachment alters the effective focal length of the prime lens by no more than 15%.