Multi-lens array imaging with coprime pixel mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capturing apparatuses face challenges in reducing volume while maintaining desired viewing angle, resolution, and sensitivity, particularly in low illuminance environments, as smaller lenses lead to decreased focal length and reduced light incidence on sensors, affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A capturing apparatus with a lens array and sensor featuring a plurality of lenses and sensing pixels, where the number of sensing pixels and lenses are relatively prime, and a transformation matrix is used to generate pixel values based on sensing information, allowing light from different lenses to correspond to various viewpoints, thereby optimizing image resolution and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the lens decreases to reduce the volume of the capturing apparatus, then the volume is reduced, but the focal length decreases and the amount of light incident on the sensor decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large lens into multiple smaller lenses arranged in a lens array. Each lens in the array captures light from a specific viewpoint, and by combining the images from multiple small lenses, the system achieves the light-gathering capability equivalent to a larger lens while maintaining a compact form factor. This segmentation allows the capturing apparatus to reduce volume while preserving illumination intensity.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of the lens decreases to reduce the volume of the capturing apparatus, then the volume is reduced, but the resolution of the image decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple small lenses in an array configuration, where each lens corresponds to specific sensing pixels. By capturing images from multiple viewpoints simultaneously and combining them through image processing, the system achieves high-resolution output that would otherwise require a much larger single lens. The segmentation of the optical system into multiple small lenses enables compact design while maintaining or even enhancing resolution through synthetic aperture techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point viewpoint (one large lens) to a distributed multi-point viewpoint system (lens array). By arranging lenses in a two-dimensional array and capturing light from multiple spatial positions, the system effectively adds spatial dimensionality to the imaging process. This dimensional expansion allows the compact multi-lens system to achieve the resolution of a much larger single lens by synthesizing information from multiple angles.
3Volume of moving object
If the focal length of the lens decreases due to smaller lens size, then the volume is reduced, but the viewing angle and image quality are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a lens array where each small lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both an optical element for focusing light and as a spatial sampling point for capturing different viewpoints. The array configuration allows the system to simultaneously achieve a wide effective viewing angle (by combining inputs from multiple lenses) and maintain compact dimensions. Each lens in the array contributes to the overall image quality while the collective arrangement provides adaptability for various imaging scenarios.
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 approach enables the restoration of high-resolution images while reducing the volume of the capturing apparatus, maintaining desired sensitivity and resolution, and improving image quality in low illuminance conditions by effectively utilizing a multi-lens configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a lens array having a plurality of lenses; and a sensor having a plurality of sensing pixels, where at least a portion of the plurality of sensing pixels in the sensor may generate sensing information based on light entering through different lenses in the lens array
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-lens based capturing apparatus and method are provided. The capturing apparatus includes a lens array including lenses and a sensor including sensing pixels, wherein at least a portion of sensing pixels in the sensor may generate sensing information based on light entering through different lenses in the lens array, and light incident on each sensing pixel, among the portion of the plurality of sensing pixels may correspond to different combinations of viewpoints.