Optically Gated Detector Shutter for Range Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras integrated into devices like smartphones struggle to accurately determine the range to camera targets, limiting their effectiveness in capturing high-quality images due to inadequate focus mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rangefinder system that transmits a coherent electromagnetic ranging pulse and receives a reflected pulse, using a shutter with a semiconductor material to adjust opacity and improve focus accuracy, allowing for precise distance measurement and focal length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rangefinder system is added to small form factor cameras, then distance measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rangefinder function with the existing camera optical path by using the same aperture and optical components. The shutter mechanism is integrated into the camera body, and the emitter/detector system shares the camera's housing and optical axis, thereby adding rangefinding capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components (aperture, optical path) serve dual purposes: they are used both for the main camera imaging function and for the rangefinder measurement function. The shutter mechanism simultaneously protects both the image sensor and the rangefinder detector, making the system more efficient and less complex than having separate dedicated systems
2Reliability
If the shutter remains open during pulse transmission, then the detector can receive the pulse, but the detector is damaged by the high-intensity transmit pulse
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter operates periodically, opening only during the specific time window when the reflected pulse is expected to arrive and closing during the transmit pulse and other times. This periodic opening and closing protects the detector from damage while allowing it to receive the reflected pulse at the correct moment
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter closes before the transmit pulse reaches the detector and opens in advance of the expected reflected pulse arrival. This preliminary action of closing the shutter during transmission prevents detector damage, and the timed opening ensures the detector is ready to receive the reflected pulse without delay
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
Enhances the accuracy of focus mechanisms in small form factor cameras, enabling better photography results by accurately measuring distances and adjusting focal lengths based on the calculated range.
Implementation Method 1
the shutter includes a layer of semiconductor material placed in the optical path at a point between the target and the detector
Implementation Method 2
receiving a reflected electromagnetic pulse reflected by the target back along the optical path
Data Source
AI summary
A camera includes a pulse transmitter for transmitting at a transmit time through an aperture and along an optical path to a target a coherent electromagnetic ranging pulse at a first wavelength range outside the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the camera includes a reflected pulse detector for receiving a reflected electromagnetic pulse reflected by the target back along the optical path and through the aperture at a detect time subsequent to the transmit time. In some embodiments, the camera includes a shutter positioned for shielding the pulse detector from at least transmit time to an intermediate time between the transmit time and the detect time. In some embodiments, the shutter includes a layer of semiconductor material placed in the optical path at a point between the target and the detector.