Multi-Camera Prime Lens System for Lossless Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminal devices, such as smartphones, face challenges in achieving high-resolution and high-definition imaging at high zoom ratios without increasing their size, as traditional zoom lenses are bulky and digital zoom limits image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a combination of multiple cameras with prime lenses, where the cameras are selectively activated based on the target zoom ratio and illuminance conditions to achieve lossless zoom, employing image processing algorithms like center cropping, multi-frame zoom, and color and black-and-white fusion to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a zoom lens is used to achieve optical zoom, then imaging definition and resolving power are improved, but device size and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple independent camera modules, each with a fixed focal length (prime lens). Instead of using a single zoom lens to achieve all zoom ratios, the system segments the zoom range into multiple bands (e.g., 1x-2x, 2x-5x, 5x-10x) and assigns different camera modules to different bands. Each module captures images at its optimal focal length, and software stitching combines them to achieve the overall zoom effect without requiring any single lens to be physically large and thick.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple camera modules with different fixed focal lengths to capture multiple images of the same scene at different zoom levels. These images are then processed through software stitching and fusion algorithms to create a final high-zoom image. This copying approach allows the system to achieve optical zoom quality without relying on a single physical zoom lens, thereby maintaining a compact device form factor.
2Volume of moving object
If digital zoom is used to reduce device size, then device profile is improved, but image definition and resolving power deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from using a single variable focal length lens to using multiple fixed focal length lenses. Each camera module operates at its optimal fixed focal length, capturing high-quality images without the quality loss associated with digital zoom interpolation. The system achieves high-zoom effects by combining multiple high-quality captures rather than digitally enlarging a single low-resolution image.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to achieve high zoom ratio, then lossless zoom is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera modules with different focal lengths into a unified imaging system. The complexity of managing multiple cameras is reduced through automated scene analysis, intelligent camera selection, and software-based image stitching and fusion. The system automatically determines which cameras to use based on the desired zoom ratio and seamlessly combines their outputs, presenting a simplified user interface while maintaining high lossless zoom quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a shooting method, where the method is applied to a shooting terminal, and the shooting terminal includes a first camera, a second camera, and a third camera; the first camera and the third camera are color cameras, the second camera is a black-and-white camera, resolution of the second camera is higher than resolution of the first camera and higher than resolution of the third camera, and the first camera, the second camera, and the third camera all are cameras using prime lenses; an equivalent focal length of the third camera is greater than both an equivalent focal length of the first camera and an equivalent focal length of the second camera; and the method includes: obtaining a target zoom ratio; determining at least one camera from the first camera, the second camera, and the third camera based on the target zoom ratio as a target camera; capturing, by using the target camera, at least one image that includes a target scene; and obtaining an output image of the target scene based on the at least one image that includes the target scene. The target scene is a scene that a user expects to shoot. According to the present invention, an approximately 5x lossless zoom effect is achieved.