Imaging Device With Offset Optical Axes For Simultaneous Wide-Angle And Telephoto Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices that capture wide-angle and telephoto images simultaneously either require multiple imaging elements, increasing size and cost, or align the centers of both images, limiting the ability to capture them in different regions.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with a wide-angle and telephoto optical system having distinct imaging optical axes, allowing for the simultaneous capture of wide-angle and telephoto images in different regions using a directional sensor with a microlens array and an image acquisition unit, and optionally featuring multiple telephoto optical systems with overlapping angles of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple imaging elements are used to capture wide-angle and telephoto images simultaneously, then both images can be captured, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to capture wide-angle and telephoto imagesVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple imaging functions (wide-angle and telephoto) into a single imaging element by using different optical systems (central optical system and annular optical system) that share the same imaging surface, thereby capturing both wide-angle and telephoto images simultaneously without increasing device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the optical system into different regions: a central optical system for wide-angle imaging and an annular optical system for telephoto imaging. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function while sharing the same imaging element, reducing the need for multiple separate imaging elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the imaging surface is divided into two regions for wide-angle and telephoto images, then both images can be captured, but the imaging element size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to capture wide-angle and telephoto imagesVSAvoidimaging element size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the annular optical system is positioned concentrically around the central optical system. The annular optical system captures telephoto images while the central optical system captures wide-angle images, both projecting onto the same imaging surface without requiring separate imaging elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If the central optical system and annular optical system are aligned on the same imaging optical axis, then device structure is simplified, but the ability to capture images in different imaging regions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical system alignmentVSAvoidability to capture images in different regions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry by allowing the imaging optical axis of the annular optical system to be offset from the imaging optical axis of the central optical system. This asymmetric arrangement enables the annular optical system to capture telephoto images in a region shifted relative to the wide-angle image center, providing flexibility to capture images in different regions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 the capture of wide-angle and telephoto images in distinct regions without multiple imaging elements, reducing device size and cost, and allowing for flexible image acquisition and processing, including the generation of panorama images.

Implementation Method 1

a directional sensor that includes a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion elements which are two-dimensionally arranged, pupil-divides light beams which are incident through the wide-angle optical system and the telephoto optical system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPupil division:

Implementation Method 2

photoelectric conversion elements which are two-dimensionally arranged, pupil-divides light beams which are incident through the wide-angle optical system and the telephoto optical system, and selectively receives the light beams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10244166B2Imaging device

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

In a preferred aspect of the invention, an imaging optical system having a wide-angle optical system and a telephoto optical system which are provided in different regions is provided. A directional sensor that has a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion elements which are two-dimensionally arranged pupil-divides light beams which are incident through the wide-angle optical system and the telephoto optical system, and selectively receives the light beams. An image acquisition unit acquires a wide-angle image received from the directional sensor through the wide-angle optical system and a telephoto image received from the directional sensor through the telephoto optical system. The directions of the imaging optical axes of the wide-angle optical system and the telephoto optical system of the imaging optical system are different from each other.