Multi-Camera Optical Zoom Without Mechanical Lens Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of providing zoom functionality in mobile devices without increasing complexity, cost, and space requirements, while maintaining reliability, is addressed by using multiple cameras with different focal lengths to capture overlapping visual fields.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction device employs multiple camera units with distinct focal lengths to capture separate images, which are then processed to generate a synthetic intermediate image with a combined visual field, allowing for optical zoom without mechanical parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If moving mechanical parts are used to provide zoom functionality, then zoom capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the camera system into multiple separate camera units, each with a fixed focal length lens. Instead of using a single camera with moving mechanical parts to achieve zoom, the system segments the imaging function across multiple fixed-lens cameras with different focal lengths (e.g., wide-angle and telephoto). This eliminates the need for moving mechanical parts in the zoom mechanism while maintaining zoom capability through software-based image composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical zoom system with an optical-computational approach. Multiple camera units with fixed focal length lenses capture images simultaneously, and a processing unit combines these images to generate the zoomed output. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts entirely, reducing device complexity and improving reliability while maintaining zoom functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If moving mechanical parts are used for zoom, then zoom function is provided, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zoom system with an optical-computational approach. Multiple camera units with fixed focal length lenses capture images simultaneously, and a processing unit combines these images to generate the zoomed output. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts entirely, eliminating mechanical failure points and improving device reliability while maintaining zoom functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If moving mechanical parts are used to achieve zoom, then zoom capability is provided, but device space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the camera system into multiple separate camera units, each with a fixed focal length lens. Instead of using a single camera with moving mechanical parts to achieve zoom, the system segments the imaging function across multiple fixed-lens cameras with different focal lengths. This segmentation eliminates the need for space-consuming mechanical zoom components while maintaining zoom capability through software-based image composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical zoom system with an optical-computational approach. Multiple camera units with fixed focal length lenses capture images simultaneously, and a processing unit combines these images to generate the zoomed output. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts and their associated space requirements, reducing the overall camera unit volume while maintaining zoom functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include methods and/or systems for using multiple cameras to provide optical zoom to a user. Some embodiments include a first camera unit of a multifunction device capturing a first image of a first visual field. A second camera unit of the multifunction device simultaneously captures a second image of a second visual field. In some embodiments, the first camera unit includes a first optical package with a first focal length. In some embodiments, the second camera unit includes a second optical package with a second focal length. In some embodiments, the first focal length is different from the second focal length, and the first visual field is a subset of the second visual field. In some embodiments, the first image and the second image are preserved to a storage medium as separate data structures.