Partial Reflector Optics for Aberration-Controlled Mobile Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with compact cameras face limitations in high-magnification photography due to their inability to accommodate long lens assemblies, leading to significant image aberrations such as spherical aberrations, chromatic aberrations, and other distortions.
Innovation Solution
The use of partial reflectors within the camera system, combined with multiple passes of light through optical elements and advanced image processing algorithms, to correct image aberrations and enable high-magnification photography in a thin form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If long lens assemblies are used to achieve high-magnification photography, then magnification capability is improved, but device thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing a first partial reflector within the optical path between the lens assembly and image sensor, and a second partial reflector within the first partial reflector's structure. This nested configuration allows light to traverse the optical path multiple times (increasing effective focal length) while maintaining a compact physical footprint suitable for thin mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-pass linear optical path to a multi-pass folded optical path using partial reflectors. Light reflects between the first and second partial reflectors multiple times before reaching the image sensor, effectively extending the optical path length in a compact space. This dimensional folding enables long focal length functionality in a thin device profile.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long lens assemblies are used to achieve high-magnification photography, then focal length is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partial reflectors serve multiple functions simultaneously: they reflect light to extend the optical path, they enable multiple light passes through the same lens assembly, and they maintain a compact form factor. This multi-functionality achieves long focal length effects without requiring multiple separate optical components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and reuses the same optical path multiple times through partial reflections. Instead of requiring proportionally longer physical lens assemblies for higher magnification, the system recycles the existing optical path by reflecting light between partial reflectors, effectively extending focal length without adding proportional hardware complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If compact camera systems are used in mobile devices, then device portability is improved, but image aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous in-focus light reaches the image sensor by using partial reflectors with specific transmission characteristics. The first partial reflector transmits a controlled portion of in-focus light while reflecting out-of-focus light, and the second partial reflector similarly filters light. This continuous selective transmission maintains image quality by ensuring only in-focus light components accumulate on the sensor throughout the multi-pass optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The partial reflectors act as intermediary elements between the lens assembly and image sensor, mediating the light path. They selectively reflect and transmit light based on focus status, effectively filtering out aberrated out-of-focus light while allowing in-focus light to pass through multiple times. This intermediary function reduces image aberrations without requiring larger optical elements that would increase device volume.
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 approach reduces image aberrations, allowing for high-quality high-magnification photography in mobile devices by leveraging partial reflections to interact light with longer focal length lenses multiple times, thereby minimizing aberrations and enabling improved focusing and zooming capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the use of partial reflections between partially-reflective surfaces inside the camera or imaging system, to increase the path light length
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for reducing image aberrations in high magnification photography with partial reflectors. In particular, by an imaging device or camera that is built into or is included in a cell phone, smart phone, tablet, laptop or any other mobile device. The systems and methods include a light passing through a lens, a portion of said light then undergoes a number of partial reflections in-between two partial reflectors, and a portion of said light then reaches an imaging sensor. The partial reflections enable a longer light path to reach the imaging sensor, thus enabling a longer focal length to be used, which enables higher magnification. Described are methods and embodiments to select the physical parameters of optical elements in systems with partial reflectors, in order to create images with reduced image aberrations.