Plenoptic Imaging Device Multi-Faceted Optical Means Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capture devices lose depth information due to rendering a three-dimensional scene onto a two-dimensional sensor, resulting in image quality degradation from the center to peripheral regions due to optical aberrations in the main lens.
Innovation Solution
A plenoptic imaging device with a micro-lens array and multi-faceted optical means, such as a prismatic element, is used to capture an expanded field-of-view by rotating the capture axis, allowing for reduced optical aberrations and improved image sharpness across the entire image area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional main lens is used to capture the central field-of-view, then the image quality at the center is good, but the image quality degrades from the center to peripheral regions due to optical aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The field-of-view is segmented into multiple rotated portions, each captured by a separate facet of the multi-faceted optical means. Each facet captures a rotated field-of-view that is then reconstituted into a composite image, allowing the central region of each facet to provide high-quality imagery without suffering from the peripheral aberrations of the main lens
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different optical paths to different regions of the field-of-view. By using multi-faceted optical means, each facet captures a specific rotated field-of-view with optimized optical quality for that region, ensuring that the central region of each captured view maintains high sharpness while avoiding the degradation that would occur in peripheral regions of a single wide-angle capture
2Area of stationary object
If the field-of-view is expanded to cover more area, then more of the scene is captured, but optical aberrations increase and image sharpness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds an angular dimension to the field-of-view expansion by rotating the capture axis through multiple facets. Instead of simply widening the field-of-view in a single plane, the system captures multiple rotated views that can be reconstituted into a composite image with both expanded coverage and maintained sharpness, effectively using angular rotation as an additional dimension for field expansion
3Loss of information
If a plenoptic device with micro-lens array is used, then depth information and light-field data are captured, but the optical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-faceted optical means serves multiple functions: it expands the field-of-view, captures rotated views for depth estimation, and maintains image quality across the expanded field. This single component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate optical systems, reducing overall device complexity while preserving plenoptic imaging capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-lens array acts as an intermediary between the main lens and the image sensor, enabling the capture of light-field data and depth information without requiring a completely different optical system. The multi-faceted optical means works in conjunction with this intermediary to provide field-of-view expansion while maintaining compatibility with the existing plenoptic architecture
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
The solution enhances image quality by capturing multiple rotated field-of-views, which are then reconstituted into a composite image with consistent sharpness from the center to peripheral regions, effectively mitigating the effects of optical aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
multi-faceted optical means having at least two facets and placed in a plane adjacent to the aperture diaphragm plane and centred on the main optical axis, each facet being configured to angularly rotated the capture axis with respect to the main optical axis
Implementation Method 2
a main lens covering a field-of-view of a scene according to a capture axis centred on the main optical axis
Implementation Method 3
each micro-lens being configured to project a micro-image onto the photosensor
Data Source
AI summary
A plenoptic imaging device is described including a micro-lens array placed between a main lens and a photosensor. The micro-lens array has a plurality of micro-lenses each configured to project a micro-image onto the photosensor, the main lens covering a central field-of-view of the scene according to capture axis. The plenoptic imaging device includes multi-faceted optical means structure having at least two facets and placed in a plane adjacent to the aperture diaphragm plane and centered on the main optical axis, each facet being configured to angularly rotated the capture axis with respect to the main optical axis so as to capture a rotated field-of-view from the central field-of-view, and so that the captured rotated field-of-views form an expanded field-of-view covering the central field-of-view.