Multi-Sensor Optical Scope for Extended Depth of Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture devices, such as industrial and medical endoscopes, face a trade-off between depth of field and resolution/in-focus sharpness, where increasing the depth of field reduces image quality due to diffraction and noise, and achieving high resolution images like 4K or 8K requires a larger imager, further complicating depth of focus.
Innovation Solution
An optical scope system comprising multiple image sensors positioned at different distances from a lens arrangement, with an image processor generating a final image by selecting the sharpest portions from each initial image, allowing for improved depth of field and resolution while maintaining low noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the aperture size is reduced to increase depth of field, then depth of field is improved, but image resolution and sharpness deteriorate due to diffraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple image sensors positioned at different distances from the lens arrangement. Each sensor captures images at different depths of field, and the image processor combines these segmented captures to produce a final image with extended depth of field and high resolution, resolving the contradiction between aperture reduction and image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane imaging approach to a multi-plane imaging approach by positioning image sensors at different distances from the lens. This dimensional change in sensor arrangement allows simultaneous capture of multiple depth planes, enabling extended depth of field without sacrificing resolution through aperture reduction
2Measurement precision
If the aperture size is reduced to increase depth of field, then depth of field is improved, but image noise increases due to reduced signal to noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the imaging task across multiple sensors at different distances, the system can capture sufficient light at each depth plane without requiring extreme aperture reduction. The combination of these segmented captures achieves extended depth of field while maintaining adequate signal-to-noise ratio through distributed light collection
3Manufacturing precision
If a larger imager is used to achieve high resolution images, then image resolution is improved, but device size increases and depth of focus problems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-resolution imaging task across multiple smaller image sensors positioned at different distances. This segmentation allows achievement of high resolution through spatial distribution rather than using a single large imager, thereby reducing overall device size while maintaining depth of focus performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves from a single large imager in one plane to multiple smaller imagers distributed across different distance planes. This dimensional redistribution achieves high resolution through multi-plane capture without requiring a large device form factor, resolving the contradiction between resolution and device size
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 system achieves a larger perceived depth of field with increased in-focus sharpness and reduced noise, enabling high-resolution images without the drawbacks of reduced depth of field, allowing for smaller aperture sizes and improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a lens arrangement operable to receive light from the scene and to form each initial image on each respective image sensor
Implementation Method 2
an image processor operable to generate the captured image of the scene on the basis of image data from one or more of the captured initial images
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device for capturing an image of a scene, the optical device comprising: a plurality of image sensors each operable to capture a respective initial image of the scene; a lens arrangement operable to receive light from the scene and to form each initial image on each respective image sensor, each image sensor being located at a different respective distance from the lens arrangement; and an image processor operable to generate the captured image of the scene on the basis of image data from one or more of the captured initial images.