Multi-Lens Camera Module Synthesizing Wide Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile phone cameras cannot achieve a wide-angle effect due to the limitations of large-sized wide-angle lenses, which are not feasible for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A photographing apparatus with a first lens and a second lens disposed on adjacent surfaces, a light control unit to transmit or reflect images, and an image sensing unit to synthesize the images into a wide field of view, allowing for a wide-angle effect without the need for a large lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a wide-angle lens with a protrusive first sheet and great surface curvature is used to obtain a wider field of view, then the field of view is improved, but the lens size becomes too large for mobile phone integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single wide-angle lens into multiple standard lenses (typically 3-5 lenses) arranged in a specific configuration. Each lens has a moderate curvature and contributes a portion of the total field of view. The segmented lenses work together to achieve the cumulative wide-angle effect without requiring any individual lens to be excessively large or protrusive, thus resolving the contradiction between field of view and lens size.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of achieving wide angle through a single lens with extreme curvature in one dimension, the patent distributes the angular coverage across multiple lenses arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration. The lenses are positioned at different locations and orientations, capturing light from different angular directions and combining them to form a wide-field image, thereby achieving wide angle without excessive lens protrusion.
2Area of moving object
If multiple lenses are used to achieve wide-angle effect, then the field of view is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the multi-lens system so that the same sensor and processing unit handle images from all lenses, making them multi-functional components. The lens array can also serve dual purposes: wide-angle photography and depth mapping for 3D effects. This multi-functionality justifies the increased lens count by providing additional capabilities rather than simply adding complexity for the sake of wide angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple lenses with a single image sensor and processing pipeline. Instead of having separate processing paths for each lens, the system combines light from all lenses onto one sensor plane and uses unified image processing algorithms to synthesize the wide-field image. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having fully independent processing chains for each lens.
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
The apparatus achieves a wide-angle effect by synthesizing images from multiple lenses, reducing the size and cost of the device while enabling a broader field of view.
Implementation Method 1
a light control unit, disposed at a juncture of an optical axis of the first lens and an optical axis of the second lens, and configured to transmit or reflect the first image, and reflect or transmit the second image
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a photographing apparatus, where the photographing apparatus includes: a first lens and a second lens, where the first lens and the second lens are separately disposed on two adjacent surfaces of the photographing apparatus, the first lens is configured to acquire a first image, and the second lens is configured to acquire a second image; a light control unit, disposed at a juncture of an optical axis of the first lens and an optical axis of the second lens, and configured to transmit or reflect the first image, and reflect or transmit the second image; and an image sensing unit, configured to collect the first image and the second image by using the light control unit, and synthesize the first image and the second image into an image of a wide field of view. In this way, a wide-angle effect of a mobile phone can be achieved in the present invention.