Liquid Crystal Lens Array for Dynamic Focus Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera devices, especially light field cameras, have complex structures and require advanced technical knowledge for capturing images with all depth of field, limiting their market adoption and user convenience due to the need for manual control and complex post-processing.

Innovation Solution

A camera device featuring a liquid crystal lens array with a drive module that adjusts the focus of each liquid crystal sub-lens based on the object's distance, allowing light rays to be focused on an image sensor, enabling flexible focusing without the need for manual adjustments or complex post-processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a light field camera with microlens array is used to capture images with all depth of field, then the capability to obtain photos with all depth of field is improved, but the device complexity and post-processing complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to capture images with all depth of fieldVSAvoidcomplexity of microlens array and post-processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional microlens array with a liquid crystal lens array that uses electro-optic effects to control light focusing. Instead of fixed mechanical microlenses requiring complex post-processing, the liquid crystal lenses can dynamically adjust their focal properties through electrical signals, simplifying both the optical system and image processing requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal lens array provides dynamic adjustability of focus parameters, allowing the system to adapt to different imaging scenarios in real-time. The drive module can modify the focal length and focus position of individual liquid crystal sub-lenses based on object distance, enabling flexible capture of images with all depth of field without complex mechanical adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual photography with multiple focuses is used to create photo with all depth of field, then the capability to obtain all depth of field is improved, but the operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to obtain photo with all depth of fieldVSAvoidcomplexity of manual control and image processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid crystal lens array system performs automatic focus adjustment based on object distance detection. The drive module automatically calculates the required focus parameters and adjusts each liquid crystal sub-lens accordingly, eliminating the need for manual focus control by the photographer. The system serves itself by autonomously optimizing the focus configuration for capturing images with all depth of field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional microlenses are used in light field camera, then the basic imaging function is achieved, but the zooming function cannot be implemented rapidly and flexibly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasic imaging functionVSAvoidspeed of zooming function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter control mechanism from fixed physical microlenses to electrically controllable liquid crystal lenses. By adjusting the voltage applied to liquid crystal sub-lenses, the focal length and other optical parameters can be changed rapidly and flexibly, enabling fast zooming functions while maintaining the basic imaging capability of the microlens array structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 camera device provides a simple, fast, and convenient method for capturing images with all depth of field, eliminating the need for post-processing and reducing technical complexity, while allowing for rapid and flexible zooming capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

each liquid crystal sub-lens comprises: a first transparent electrode arranged on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate, a second transparent electrode arranged on a side of the second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer located between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS10594919B2Camera device and method for capturing images by using the same

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a camera device and a method for capturing images by using the same. The camera device includes a liquid crystal lens array composed of a plurality of liquid crystal sub-lenses, an image sensor and a drive module. A preset distance is provided between the liquid crystal lens array and the image sensor, and the drive module is electrically connected with the liquid crystal lens array. The drive module is configured to adjust a focus of each liquid crystal sub-lens during capturing based on a distance between an object to be captured and a corresponding liquid crystal sub-lens, such that light rays from each object are focused respectively in a plane where the image sensor is located after passing through the corresponding liquid crystal sub-lens.