Multi-aperture Imaging Device Edge Passage Area Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-aperture imaging devices face challenges in minimizing the size of exit windows, particularly in devices with narrow passage areas or those optimized for surface area efficiency, as existing designs often result in disturbance and inefficient area consumption.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a housing with a multi-aperture imaging system where optical channels have channel-specific relative positions of their image sensor areas, optics, and beam deflection facets, allowing for a minimal passage opening size by optimizing the arrangement of these components along the axial direction, enabling small window sizes, especially in mobile devices where display coverage is maximized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the passage area arrangement is placed centrally on the main side, then the optical paths can pass through efficiently, but the display area coverage is reduced and the window size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The passage area arrangement is moved from a central two-dimensional placement to an edge-side location, utilizing the perimeter dimension of the housing. This dimensional repositioning allows the passage areas to be located at the edges rather than competing for central space, thereby enabling both adequate passage area size and maximized display coverage in the central region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple passage areas (first passage area and second passage area) positioned at different edge locations. This copying approach distributes the optical path exits to multiple locations rather than requiring a single large central opening, thereby reducing the impact on display area while maintaining optical functionality.
2Area of moving object
If the passage area arrangement is minimized to maximize display coverage, then the display area coverage is maximized, but the optical paths cannot pass through effectively
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating passage areas to edge sides rather than central positions, the patent finds an alternative spatial dimension that does not compromise display coverage. The edge-side placement provides sufficient space for optical paths to pass through effectively while keeping the central display area maximized.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage area arrangement is segmented into multiple separate passage areas located at different edge positions. This segmentation allows each passage area to be optimized for its specific optical channel while collectively providing adequate total passage area for effective optical path transmission without requiring a single large opening that would reduce display coverage.
3Manufacturing precision
If the beam deflection means is positioned far from the image sensor arrangement, then the imaging quality is improved, but the device length along the axial direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the beam deflection means adjacent to the edge side rather than along the central axial path. This lateral positioning in a different spatial dimension allows the optical paths to achieve the necessary deflection distance for quality imaging without increasing the overall axial length of the device, as the beam deflection occurs perpendicular to the main optical axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam deflection means is nested within the housing structure at the edge side, utilizing the available lateral space rather than requiring additional axial length. This nesting approach allows the beam deflection functionality to be integrated into the existing device footprint without extending the device length.
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
This configuration allows for efficient area utilization, minimizing the window size required for optical paths to pass through, which is advantageous in mobile devices by maximizing the display area coverage while maintaining effective imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a beam deflection means for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, the beam deflection means having a plurality of facets, each optical channel having a facet associated with it
Data Source
AI summary
An inventive device includes a multi-aperture imaging device comprising an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, each optical channel including an optic for projecting at least one partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor arrangement, a beam deflection means for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, and a focusing means for setting a focal position of the multi-aperture imaging device. The device further comprises a control means configured to control the focusing means and to receive image information from the image sensor; the control means being configured to control the multi-aperture imaging device into a sequence of focal positions so as to capture a corresponding sequence of image information of the total field of view and to produce, from the sequence of image information, a depth map for the captured total field of view.