Multi-Optical Chain Camera Modules for Compact Light Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital cameras with large lenses are cumbersome, costly, and limited by their size and weight, while smaller sensors with fixed focal length lenses struggle with low light conditions and image quality due to smaller apertures and limited dynamic range.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple optical chains with short focal length lenses, each with a sensor, allows for simultaneous capture and combination of images to produce a higher quality image with improved light capture and dynamic range, reducing the need for large lenses and enabling thinner camera designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If large aperture lenses are used to capture more light, then image quality and light capture ability are improved, but device size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large lens system into multiple smaller lens elements arranged in a specific configuration. These segmented lens elements work together to provide the light capture ability of a large aperture lens while individually being much smaller and lighter, thus resolving the contradiction between light capture and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where multiple lens elements are positioned within a compact housing structure. The lens elements are arranged concentrically or in overlapping patterns, allowing the optical system to achieve large effective aperture while maintaining a compact overall form factor, thereby reducing both size and weight.
2Illumination intensity
If large aperture lenses are used to capture more light, then image quality and light capture ability are improved, but device size and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical system into multiple smaller lens elements, the patent achieves the light capture performance of a large aperture lens without requiring a large physical volume. Each small lens element contributes to the overall light gathering capability while the compact arrangement keeps the total device volume small.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges lens elements in three-dimensional space using multiple dimensions (concentric rings, overlapping planes) rather than a single linear arrangement. This dimensional optimization allows the optical system to achieve large effective aperture while maintaining a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between light capture and device volume.
3Length of moving object
If telephoto lenses with long focal lengths are used, then ability to capture distant subjects is improved, but lens size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple small lens elements arranged to provide the optical power of a long focal length telephoto lens. By distributing the optical function across several small elements rather than one large element, the system achieves telephoto capability without the weight penalty of traditional long focal length lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple small lens elements with different optical properties to achieve the cumulative optical effect of a long focal length lens. The merged optical power of these small elements provides telephoto capability while each individual element remains small and light, resolving the contradiction between focal length and weight.
4Illumination intensity
If multiple optical chains are used to improve image quality, then light capture and dynamic range are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the multiple optical chains to share common components and processing pathways where possible. The lens elements and sensors serve multiple functions across different optical chains, and the image processing pipeline is designed to handle multiple inputs efficiently, reducing the overall complexity despite the multi-chain architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the processing of multiple optical chains into a unified image reconstruction algorithm that combines information from all chains simultaneously. This combined processing approach leverages the redundant information from multiple chains to enhance light capture and dynamic range while using a single integrated processing pathway, thereby 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
This approach enables improved image and video capture with enhanced light capture and dynamic range, offering benefits similar to large lenses without the drawbacks of size, weight, and cost, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
optical chain modules which alter the direction of received light
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for capturing or generating images using multiple optical chains operating in parallel are described. Pixel values captured by individual optical chains corresponding to the same scene area are combined to provide an image with at least some of the benefits which would have been provided by capturing an image of the scene using a larger lens than that of the individual lenses of the optical chain modules. By using multiple optical chains in parallel at least some benefits normally obtained from using a large lens can be obtained without the need for a large lens. Furthermore in at least some embodiments, a wide dynamic range can be supported through the use of multiple sensors with the overall supported dynamic range being potentially larger than that of the individual sensors. Some lens and/or optical chain configurations are designed for use in small handheld devices, e.g., cell phones.