Negative Power Optical System for Expanded Imaging Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging elements without imaging lenses face limitations in angle of view and distance due to their physical structure, leading to reduced calculation accuracy and inability to image subjects outside a predetermined range.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a negative power optical system and pixel output units that receive incident light without passing through a lens or pinhole, allowing for adjustable incident angle directivity and expanded imaging range, along with an image processing method that sets coefficients based on the optical system type and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an imaging element without an imaging lens is used, then the physical size is reduced, but the angle of view is limited and calculation accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable optical system that can dynamically change its focal length and optical characteristics. This allows the imaging element to adapt its angle of view and imaging characteristics based on the subject distance and requirements, transforming a static physical structure into a dynamic system that can adjust its properties to overcome the fixed angle of view limitation while maintaining compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by using an optical system with negative power that can be positioned at different distances from the imaging element. By varying the position and focal length of the optical system, the effective angle of view and imaging characteristics are adjusted, allowing the same compact hardware to achieve different imaging modes without physical expansion.
2Volume of moving object
If an imaging element without an imaging lens is used, then the physical size is reduced, but calculation accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a distance detection unit that measures the subject distance and feeds this information back to the processing unit. The processing unit uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the coefficients in the calculation formula, ensuring high calculation accuracy across different subject distances. This feedback mechanism compensates for the lack of fixed focus provided by traditional imaging lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-stores multiple sets of coefficients corresponding to different subject distances in the storage unit. Before actual imaging, the system prepares these coefficient sets based on expected shooting scenarios. During imaging, the appropriate pre-calculated coefficients are selected and applied, enabling accurate image reconstruction without requiring real-time complex calculations or physical lens adjustment.
3Device complexity
If the optical system position is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the imaging range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical system position variable relative to the imaging element, allowing dynamic adjustment of the distance between them. This variable positioning capability enables the system to change its effective focal length and angle of view without requiring multiple fixed optical systems, achieving versatile imaging range while maintaining relatively simple device structure through a single adjustable component.
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 expanded imaging range and improved calculation accuracy by modulating pixel output values based on incident angles, allowing for flexible imaging of subjects beyond the conventional limitations.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element including a plurality of pixel output units that receives incident light from a subject entering without passing through either an imaging lens or a pinhole and entering through the optical system, and each outputs one detection signal indicating an output pixel value modulated by an incident angle of the incident light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technology relates to an imaging apparatus and method, and an image processing apparatus and method that make it possible to expand a range of a subject that can be imaged. A subject is imaged by an imaging element including a plurality of pixel output units that receives incident light from the subject entering without passing through either an imaging lens or a pinhole and entering through an optical system that is not an imaging lens and has a negative power, and each outputs one detection signal indicating an output pixel value modulated by an incident angle of the incident light. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an electronic device, a computer, a program, a storage medium, a system, and the like.