Reconfigurable Camera Lens Assembly with Accessory Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cameras are limited by the optical properties of their lenses, which restrict their applications and usability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a reconfigurable lens assembly in cameras, which includes a mother lens, an accessory lens, and a retaining mechanism that allows the accessory lens to be easily attached or detached, enhancing the optical properties of the lens stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed lens assembly is used in the camera, then the manufacturing and initial setup are simple, but the camera cannot adapt to different applications and has limited optical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is divided into a fixed mother lens and a removable accessory lens that can be attached or detached. This segmentation allows the camera to switch between different optical configurations without redesigning the entire lens system, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assembly transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by introducing a retaining mechanism that enables the accessory lens to be moved between attached and detached states. This dynamic capability allows the camera to adapt its optical properties based on different application requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an accessory lens structure with retaining mechanism is added to enable lens reconfiguration, then the camera gains versatility and can support multiple applications, but the device complexity and structural components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it secures the accessory lens in place, enables easy attachment and detachment, and potentially provides alignment features. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the accessory lens is permanently integrated into the camera, then the optical properties are optimized for specific applications, but the camera loses flexibility to adapt to different use cases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lens system into a permanent mother lens and a removable accessory lens, the manufacturing process can be simplified. The mother lens can be manufactured and tested independently, and the accessory lens can be produced separately and attached later, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining flexibility.
4Measurement precision
If signal processing is applied to correct optical distortion, then the image quality is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
Optical distortion correction parameters are pre-calculated and stored for different accessory lens configurations. When an accessory lens is attached, the corresponding correction parameters are automatically applied, eliminating the need for real-time computational correction and thereby reducing processing time while maintaining image quality.
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 solution allows for a significant alteration of the camera's optical parameters, such as field of view and distortion, enabling the camera to support a wider range of applications and use cases.
Implementation Method 1
an accessory lens augments optical properties of a lens stack over the image sensor that includes the mother lens
Implementation Method 2
Light may be received and focused via a lens and may be converted to an electronic image signal by an image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes for cameras with a reconfigurable lens assembly are described. For example, some methods include automatically detecting that an accessory lens structure has been mounted to an image capture device including a mother lens and an image sensor configured to detect light incident through the mother lens, such that an accessory lens of the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; responsive to detecting that the accessory lens structure has been mounted, automatically identifying the accessory lens from among a set of multiple supported accessory lenses; accessing an image captured using the image sensor when the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; determining a warp mapping based on identification of the accessory lens; applying the warp mapping to the image to obtain a warped image; and transmitting, storing, or displaying an output image based on the warped image.