Reflective Lens Layout for Single-Sensor Omnidirectional Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens systems requiring multiple image sensors for wide-angle views suffer from color and luminance differences, leading to increased processing complexity and reduced stitching accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus with two optical systems, each incorporating a reflective element, arranged with opposite optical axes to form an intermediate imaging point, allowing a single image sensor to capture omnidirectional images with improved stitching accuracy by minimizing the distance between entrance pupils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple image sensors are used to achieve wide-angle imaging, then the angle of view is improved, but device complexity and processing load increase due to color and luminance differences between sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical systems into a single image sensor configuration. The first and second optical systems both form images on the same image sensor, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors. This integration resolves the technical contradiction by achieving wide-angle imaging through optical design rather than through multiple sensors, thereby reducing device complexity and processing load while maintaining the expanded angle of view capability
2Area of moving object
If multiple image sensors are used for wide-angle views, then the angle of view is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to sensor variations
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple optical systems to image onto a single sensor, the patent eliminates stitching operations entirely. The first optical system captures images in a first direction while the second optical system captures images in a second direction, with both images formed on the same sensor plane. This approach resolves the manufacturing precision contradiction by avoiding the need for precise sensor matching and stitching, thereby improving image quality without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances
3Measurement precision
If optical systems are arranged with opposite optical axes, then stitching accuracy is improved by minimizing entrance pupil distance, but device complexity increases due to reflective element configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflective optical elements as intermediaries to redirect light paths from opposite directions onto a single image sensor. The first reflective optical element redirects light from the first direction, while the second reflective optical element redirects light from the second direction. This intermediary approach resolves the technical contradiction by enabling opposite optical axis configuration (which improves stitching accuracy) while managing the complexity through systematic use of reflective elements rather than complex lens arrangements
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 wide-angle imaging with reduced processing load and enhanced stitching precision, minimizing parallax and aberrations while maintaining high image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflective optical element configured to reflect light incident along a first direction from an object side toward an image side along a second direction
Implementation Method 2
a second reflective optical element configured to reflect light incident from the object side along a third direction different from the first direction toward the image side along the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lens apparatus includes a first optical system, and a second optical system. The first optical system includes a first reflective optical element configured to reflect light incident along a first direction from an object side toward an image side along a second direction. The second optical system includes a second reflective optical element configured to reflect light incident from the object side along a third direction different from the first direction toward the image side along the second direction. An intermediate imaging point and an image point are formed by each of the first optical system and the second optical system. A predetermined inequality is satisfied.