Optical Zoom Imaging for Super-Resolution Without Mechanical Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diffraction-limited imaging systems face limitations in image resolution due to the number and size of pixels in the imaging sensor, and traditional methods to enhance resolution, such as lateral shifting of system components, may not be feasible or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using multiple exposures made at different magnifications, zoom settings, and/or aperture settings to generate images with enhanced resolution and/or dynamic range, without the need for lateral shifting of system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple exposures are made by laterally shifting the lens or imaging detector, then image resolution is increased, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lateral shifting system with an optical zoom system. Instead of physically moving the lens or detector laterally to capture multiple exposures at different positions, the invention uses zoom lens elements to vary the magnification of a single exposure. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical shifting mechanisms while achieving the same goal of capturing multiple views of the object for super-resolution reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (magnification) of the imaging system by adjusting the zoom lens elements. By capturing multiple images at different magnification levels rather than different lateral positions, the system obtains diverse information about the object that can be combined to produce a super-resolution image. This parameter change approach simplifies the system architecture compared to mechanical shifting.
2Measurement precision
If multiple exposures are made by laterally shifting system components, then image resolution is increased, but the form factor and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for power-consuming mechanical shifting actuators by using an optical zoom mechanism. The zoom lens elements are adjusted to change magnification, which can be achieved with smaller, lower-power motors or even manual adjustment, significantly reducing the power consumption compared to lateral shifting systems that require precise mechanical positioning over larger distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from lateral displacement (one-dimensional movement in the plane of the sensor) to magnification variation (changing the optical scale). This dimensional change allows the system to capture multiple views of the object without requiring physical movement of the entire imaging assembly, thereby reducing the form factor and power requirements.
3Measurement precision
If the number and size of pixels in the imaging sensor are increased to improve resolution, then image resolution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent effectively segments the imaging process into multiple exposures at different magnification levels, which are then computationally combined. Instead of requiring a single high-resolution sensor with many pixels, the system uses a standard-resolution sensor that captures multiple lower-resolution images, which are then synthesized into a super-resolution image through image processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite imaging solution by combining multiple images taken at different magnification levels. The final super-resolution image is a composite constructed from information gathered at various zoom settings, allowing the system to achieve higher effective resolution than a single exposure could provide with the same sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and systems are described that enable generation of images with enhanced resolution and/or enhance dynamic range. The described systems eliminate the need to laterally shift the system components, or in some systems, any shift all, and instead utilize multiple exposures made at different magnifications, zoom settings, and/or aperture settings to produce images with higher resolution and/or dynamic range. One example method includes acquiring a plurality of images where each image is acquired at a particular magnification factor different than other acquired images. Each of the acquired images is processed to obtain one or more parameters, functions or modified images, and then the images are combined based on the one or more parameters, functions or modified images to obtain an enhanced-resolution image having a resolution that is higher than a resolution of each of acquired images.