Multi-Sensor Optical Device Digital Zoom Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical observation and fire control devices face challenges with mechanically robust and expensive optical zooms, and digital zooms suffer from pixelation and resolution loss, making them unsuitable for harsh environments and high-quality observation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor optical device with a digital zoom controller that adapts image resolution and recalibrates images to maintain high quality without moving parts, using sensors with different spatial resolutions and angular fields to create a continuous zoom with no pixelation, ensuring robustness and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an optical zoom is implemented to vary focal length, then zoom capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical zoom system with a digital zoom approach using multiple fixed focal length sensors. Instead of moving optical elements to change focal length, the system uses a controller to digitally process images from multiple sensors with different fixed focal lengths, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining zoom capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the zoom function into discrete segments by using multiple sensors, each fixed at a specific focal length. The controller then combines these segmented images to create the appearance of continuous zoom, replacing the need for a single continuous mechanical zoom mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a digital zoom is implemented to enlarge images, then zoom capability is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to pixelation and resolution loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures images at multiple focal lengths simultaneously using multiple sensors before the zoom operation is needed. This preliminary capture of high-resolution images at different scales allows the controller to select and interpolate the appropriate image data, avoiding pixelation that occurs when digitally enlarging a single low-resolution image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focal length parameter across multiple sensors to create a set of images at different scales. The controller then uses these parameter variations to synthesize images at any desired zoom level, maintaining resolution by interpolating between the different focal length images rather than simply enlarging a single image.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors with different spatial resolutions are used, then continuous zoom with maintained quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each sensor multi-functional by having all sensors observe the same scene simultaneously. Each sensor contributes to different zoom levels, and the controller integrates their data to provide continuous zoom capability across the entire field of view, making each sensor serve multiple purposes rather than requiring dedicated sensors for each function.
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical device (1), characterized in that it comprises: - at least two image sensors (2, 3, 4), each sensor being adapted to observe the same scene (7) as the other sensors, but having a different field of view and angular resolution than the other sensors; - an output medium (6) for processing a final image consisting of areas containing portions of the images from the sensors; and - a controller (5) for positioning, in a central area of the final image, a central portion of an image from the sensor (2) having the highest angular resolution among the sensors; and in each peripheral area of the final image, a peripheral portion of an image from the sensor (3) having the highest angular resolution among the sensors observing a corresponding peripheral area of the scene. The invention also relates to a method for implementing the device.