Liquid Lens Control Device with Electrode Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices, such as portable cameras, face challenges in achieving high spatial frequency response and optical image stabilization (OIS) suppression while maintaining a compact size, due to the need for multiple lenses and power-consuming lens-moving apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A liquid lens control device that includes a liquid lens capable of adjusting the interface between two liquids in response to individual voltages applied to electrodes, a controller to manage these voltages, and a compensator to correct for electrode characteristics, thereby improving the precision of the liquid lens control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses and lens-moving apparatuses are used to achieve various photographing functions, then the photographing functions (AF, OIS, zoom) are improved, but the device size increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid lens is designed to perform multiple photographing functions including auto-focusing, optical image stabilization, and zoom by electrically adjusting a single interface between two liquids. This eliminates the need for multiple separate lenses and mechanical moving apparatuses, thereby achieving various photographing functions while reducing device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical lens-moving apparatuses with an electrically controlled liquid lens system. The liquid lens adjusts its focal length and optical properties by applying voltages to electrodes that manipulate the liquid interface, substituting mechanical movement with electrical control to reduce device size and power consumption
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses and lens-moving apparatuses are used to achieve various photographing functions, then the photographing functions (AF, OIS, zoom) are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-consuming mechanical lens-moving apparatuses with an electrically controlled liquid lens system. The liquid lens achieves auto-focusing and optical image stabilization by electrically adjusting the liquid interface through electrodes, eliminating the need for continuous mechanical movement and reducing overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid lens uses periodic voltage adjustments to achieve auto-focusing and optical image stabilization. By applying voltages in a controlled periodic manner to the electrodes, the liquid interface is adjusted to maintain focus and compensate for hand tremors, reducing the need for continuous power consumption associated with mechanical lens-moving apparatuses
3Measurement precision
If liquid lens control is improved by adding compensator and controller, then spatial frequency response and OIS suppression ratio are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a compensator that measures the actual position of the liquid interface using ADC values and compares it with the target position. The compensator calculates the difference and adjusts the voltages applied to the electrodes to correct the interface position, implementing a feedback control mechanism that improves spatial frequency response and OIS suppression ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid lens control device performs self-correction by using the compensator to automatically detect and correct deviations in the liquid interface position. The system monitors its own performance through ADC measurements and adjusts its operation without external intervention, improving precision while managing complexity through automated self-correction
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 liquid lens control device enables precise control of the liquid lens, enhancing spatial frequency response and OIS suppression ratios without increasing the device size, thus addressing the limitations of conventional optical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid lens configured to control the interface between liquids in response to a plurality of individual voltages applied to respective ones of a plurality of individual electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid lens control device according to one embodiment comprises: a liquid lens in which a liquid interface is controlled in response to a plurality of individual voltages applied to each of a plurality of individual electrodes; a control unit for controlling the plurality of individual voltages; and a compensation unit for compensating for characteristics of at least one individual electrode from among the plurality of individual electrodes. The characteristic compensated for by the compensation unit can be the position of the interface according to the individual voltage applied to the individual element. The compensation unit can perform the compensation by using a first ADC value acquired when a first voltage is applied to each of the plurality of individual electrodes, and a second ADC value acquired when a second voltage that differs from the first voltage is applied to each of the plurality of individual electrodes.