Multi-aperture Imaging Device Stray Light Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-aperture imaging devices face challenges in miniaturization due to the need for large lateral spacing to prevent stray light transmission between channels, which increases the device's size and limits its ability to capture a total field of view while maintaining high image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a stray light suppressing structure between the beam-deflecting areas of adjacent facets in the beam-deflecting means, allowing for reduced lateral extension and enabling miniaturization without compromising image quality by intercepting stray light transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large lateral spacing is used between optical channels to prevent stray light transmission, then image quality is maintained, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
A stray light suppressing structure is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent optical channels. This structure actively intercepts and blocks stray light that would otherwise travel between channels, replacing the need for large passive spacing. The mediator structure enables compact channel arrangement while maintaining image quality through active stray light management.
Solution Approach 2:
The stray light suppressing structure extracts and removes stray light from the optical path between adjacent channels. By actively removing the harmful stray light component, the system can reduce the lateral spacing between channels without compromising image quality, as the stray light is extracted before it can contaminate adjacent channels.
2Length of stationary object
If miniaturization is pursued by reducing lateral spacing between channels, then device size decreases, but stray light transmission between channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stray light suppressing structure serves as a protective intermediary between closely spaced optical channels. It intercepts stray light generated by one channel before it can affect adjacent channels, enabling miniaturization without the penalty of increased stray light transmission. The mediator structure decouples the relationship between channel spacing and stray light levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The stray light suppressing structure applies preliminary anti-action by blocking stray light proactively before it can contaminate adjacent optical channels. This preventive measure allows channels to be placed closer together, as the stray light is neutralized in advance, preventing the harmful effect from manifesting.
3Device complexity
If contiguous partial object area is allocated to each channel, then simple channel configuration is achieved, but wrong image areas are transmitted to neighboring channels
Solution Approach 1:
The stray light suppressing structure acts as a barrier that prevents wrong image areas from being transmitted to neighboring channels. Even with simple contiguous allocation of partial object areas to each channel, the mediator structure blocks stray light containing incorrect spatial information, ensuring that only the intended partial object area reaches each channel's image sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure converts the potential harm of stray light transmission into a beneficial separation mechanism. By strategically placing the stray light suppressing structure, the system uses the stray light path itself as an opportunity to implement precise optical channel isolation, ensuring that contiguous channel configuration does not lead to image area contamination.
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 solution allows for the miniaturization of multi-aperture imaging devices while maintaining high image quality by effectively reducing stray light transmission between channels, enabling the capture of a total field of view in a more compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
beam-deflecting means for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels in beam-deflecting areas of the beam-deflecting means
Implementation Method 2
a stray light suppressing structure is arranged between a first beam-deflecting area of a first facet and a second beam-deflecting area of a juxtaposed second facet, which is configured to reduce transition of stray light
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-aperture imaging device includes at least one image sensor, an array of juxtaposed optical channels, wherein each optical channel has optics for projecting at least one partial area of an object area on an image sensor area of the image sensor, and a beam deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels in beam-deflecting areas of the beam deflector. The beam deflector is formed as an array of facets arranged along a line-extension direction of the array of optical channels. One facet is allocated to each optical channel. Each facet has a beam-deflecting area. A stray light suppressing structure is arranged between a first beam-deflecting area of a first facet and a second beam-deflecting area of a juxtaposed second facet, which is configured to reduce transition of stray light between the first beam-deflecting area and the second beam-deflecting area.