Pop-Out Tele Camera With OIS for Super Macro Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compact multi-camera systems in handheld devices face challenges in achieving large optical zoom effect, large sensor size, and improved image quality, particularly in the integration of large sensors and improved image quality, while maintaining a compact and compact design. The technical problem is that existing technologies struggle to incorporate larger image sensors into telephoto cameras for enhanced low-light performance and spatial resolution, while also requiring a slim design and effective optical image stabilization for macro photography.
Innovation Solution
A pop-out camera design with multiple lens states, including a Tele camera that switches between operative and collapsed states, utilizing an actuator to control air-gaps between lens groups, allowing for large effective focal lengths, incorporation of large sensors, and an optical image stabilization mechanism that corrects for undesired linear motion during macro capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a larger image sensor is incorporated into the Tele camera, then low-light performance and spatial resolution are improved, but the camera height and device thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into multiple independent camera modules (Ultra-Wide, Wide, and Tele cameras), each with its own optimized sensor and lens configuration. This segmentation allows the Tele camera to use a larger sensor for improved spatial resolution while the other cameras maintain compact designs, distributing the functional requirements across separate units rather than forcing all sensors to be large within a single camera housing.
2Length of moving object
If the Tele camera is designed with a slim profile, then device thickness is reduced, but the ability to incorporate large sensors and achieve large optical zoom is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The Tele camera employs a dynamic lens system with movable lens groups that can adjust their positions along the optical axis. This dynamic configuration allows the camera to achieve large optical zoom ratios (e.g., 3x or 5x) by changing the relative distances between lens elements, thereby obtaining large effective focal lengths without requiring a proportionally large physical camera body. The lens groups can be repositioned to optimize the optical path for different zoom levels.
3Ease of operation
If the object-lens distance is reduced for macro photography, then close-up imaging is enabled, but the image sensor size must be small which limits image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system implements different sensor sizes for different camera modules optimized for different functions. The Tele camera is equipped with a larger image sensor specifically for telephoto and macro photography, while other cameras may use smaller sensors. This local optimization allows the Tele camera to capture high-quality images even at very close object-lens distances (e.g., 5-15 cm), as the larger sensor provides better light gathering capability and spatial resolution despite the challenging macro conditions.
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 enables a Tele camera with large optical zoom, supports large image sensors for improved low-light performance and spatial resolution, and provides effective optical image stabilization, maintaining a slim form factor and enhancing image quality during macro photography.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator for controlling air-gaps d1 and d2 to switch the camera between M≥1 operative pop-out states and a collapsed state and to focus the camera on an object at an object-lens distance of less than 30 cm
Implementation Method 2
an optical image stabilization mechanism that corrects for undesired linear motion during macro capture
Data Source
AI summary
Cameras with OIS capable of performing multi zoom super macro photography and handheld electronic devices comprising such cameras. A camera may include a lens comprising N lens elements L1-LN divided into two or more lens groups arranged along a lens optical axis starting with L1 on an object side and ending with LN on an image side, adjacent lens groups separated by a respective air-gap d1 along the lens optical axis; an image sensor with a sensor diagonal SD between 7 and 20 mm separated from lens element LN by an air-gap d2 along the lens optical axis; and an actuator for controlling air-gaps d1 and d2 to switch the camera between M≥1 operative pop-out states and a collapsed state and to focus the camera on an object at an object-lens distance of less than 30 cm.