Multi-Lens Image Pickup Apparatus with Segmented Sensor for Optical Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile device cameras face challenges in providing a zooming function due to limited thickness, which restricts the use of variable focal length lenses, leading to image quality deterioration during digital zooming.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus with multiple lens elements of different diameters and corresponding image pickup regions, allowing for a combination of wide-angle and telescopic zoom capabilities without increasing the device's thickness, by using separate or logically divided image sensors with varying pixel pitches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a unifocal lens with a short focal length is employed to reduce device thickness, then device thickness is reduced, but the zooming function cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple image pickup regions with different sizes, where each region corresponds to a lens element of different diameter. This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple viewing angles (wide-angle and telescopic zoom) without requiring variable focal length lenses, thus maintaining device thickness while enabling zooming functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If digital zooming is used to provide magnification, then zooming function is provided, but image quality deteriorates due to narrowed angle of view
Solution Approach 1:
Different image pickup regions are assigned different sizes to optimize for their specific functions: larger regions for wide-angle viewing and smaller regions for telescopic zoom. This local quality differentiation ensures that each region captures optimal image quality for its intended purpose, avoiding the degradation that occurs with uniform digital zooming.
3Measurement precision
If pixel pitch of image sensor is reduced to maintain high resolution, then image resolution is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different image pickup regions based on the desired viewing angle and zoom level. By using multiple regions with different sizes on the same sensor, the system achieves variable field of view and zoom functionality without requiring multiple sensors or complex mechanical adjustments, thus maintaining resolution while managing complexity.
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
Enables high-resolution images with different angles of view, improving image quality and allowing for optical zoom functionality without the need for variable focal length lenses, while maintaining a slim device profile.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens having a first diameter; a second lens having a second diameter larger than the first diameter... the first lens is configured to provide a first angle of view, and the second lens is configured to provide a second angle of view narrower than the first angle of view
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus includes lens elements, and image pickup regions respectively disposed in correspondence to the lens elements. At least two of the lens elements have different diameters. At least two of the image pickup regions have different sizes. A smallest image pickup region among the image pickup regions having a smallest size among sizes of the image pickup regions is disposed with respect to a lens element among the lens elements having a largest diameter. A largest image pickup region among the image pickup regions having a largest size among sizes of the image pickup regions is disposed with respect to a lens element among the lens elements having a smallest diameter.