Multifocal Main Lens and Microlens Array for Plenoptic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in increasing the number of images that can be obtained at different focal distances without escalating manufacturing complexity and costs, as the number of lens sets or focal points increases.
Innovation Solution
Combining a multifocal main lens with a multifocal microlens array, allowing for a dramatic increase in the number of images at different focal distances by reducing the number of focal points in both components, and optimizing their arrangement for uniform and dense focal plane distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of lens sets in the microlens array is increased to obtain more images at different focal distances, then the number of obtainable images increases, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by making both the main lens and microlens array multifocal, where each component contributes multiple focal distances. The main lens has m focal points and the microlens array has n focal points, creating an m×n combination that provides multiple imaging functions from a single integrated system, avoiding the need to manufacture separate lens sets for each focal distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the main lens and microlens array into a unified multifocal system. By combining the focal points of both components, the system achieves a multiplicative effect where the total number of obtainable images equals the product of focal points in each component (m×n), rather than requiring the sum of individual lens sets.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of focal points in the main lens is increased to obtain more images at different focal distances, then the number of obtainable images increases, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The main lens is designed with multiple focal points (m focal points) to serve multiple imaging functions simultaneously. Each focal point corresponds to a specific focal distance, allowing the single main lens to contribute to multiple different focal plane images without requiring separate lenses for each distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the multifocal main lens with a multifocal microlens array (having n focal points) to create an integrated system where the total number of obtainable images is the product of both components' focal points (m×n). This merging approach distributes the complexity across two components rather than concentrating it in one, making manufacturing more feasible.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single lens is used instead of multiple lens sets, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the number of images at different focal distances that can be obtained decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes both the main lens and microlens array multifocal, enabling each single lens component to perform multiple functions. The main lens with m focal points and the microlens array with n focal points work together to produce m×n different focal plane images, allowing a single integrated system to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate lens sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of complexity by making both lens components multifocal rather than using multiple separate lens sets. This dimensional approach to multifocality in both components creates a multiplicative effect (m×n) that dramatically increases the number of obtainable images while maintaining a single integrated optical path, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to traditional approaches.
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 combination enables a significant increase in the number of images at different focal distances that can be simultaneously obtained, maintaining low manufacturing costs and ensuring uniform focal accuracy across various subject distances.
Implementation Method 1
a lens with a different characteristic (for example, focal length and frequency) for each region is used as a main lens, focal images formed by this main lens at a plurality of positions
Implementation Method 2
images are re-formed at the image pickup element for each of the plurality of lens sets, thereby allowing a plurality of images at different focal distances to be obtained
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an imaging device capable of dramatically increasing the number of taken images at different focal distances that are simultaneously obtainable. An embodiment of the present invention provides an imaging device 10 having an imaging optical system for a so-called plenoptic camera, with a multifocal microlens array (14) provided between a multifocal main lens (12) and an image sensor (16). The multifocal main lens (12) has regions (12a, 12b) with different focal lengths, and the multifocal microlens array (14) has microlens groups (14a, 14b) with different focal lengths. By combining the multifocal main lens (12) and the multifocal microlens array (14), a plurality of images at different focal distances that are simultaneously obtainable can be obtained from the image sensor (16).