Rotatable Reflector Imaging System for Compact High-Resolution Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size limitations of image sensors in mobile devices restrict the amount of light that can be captured, leading to limitations in image quality due to constraints on exposure time, lens aperture, and sensor size, which affects noise, resolution, dynamic range, and color fidelity.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a rotatable reflector that directs light from different portions of a scene to a larger image sensor, allowing for the combination of images to form a larger, high-resolution image while maintaining a compact form factor, using a motor-controlled reflector and image processing circuitry to synchronize and stitch images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the image sensor size is increased to capture more light and improve image quality, then the lens size and housing size must also increase, but this contradicts the requirement for compact mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotatable reflector that enables the image sensor to scan across different portions of a scene over time, effectively transforming a two-dimensional sensor array into a three-dimensional imaging solution. This allows the sensor to capture a wider field of view and larger effective imaging area without physically increasing the sensor's footprint or the device housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector is made rotatable to dynamically change the optical path and direct light from different portions of the scene onto the image sensor. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to capture images from multiple angles and positions, effectively expanding the imaging area without requiring a larger static sensor or housing.
2Illumination intensity
If the lens aperture is decreased to improve light collection, then the lens becomes more complex and harder to manufacture, but this limits the achievable aperture to around F/1.8
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large aperture lens that is difficult to manufacture, the patent segments the imaging function across multiple smaller aperture openings positioned at different locations. Each opening has its own reflector and optical path, allowing the system to achieve equivalent light collection capability through multiple manageable components rather than one complex large-aperture lens.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable reflector acts as an intermediary element that redirects light from different portions of the scene onto the image sensor. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to achieve effective light collection without requiring large-aperture lenses, as the reflectors can be positioned to optimize light paths for each specific imaging location.
3Illumination intensity
If the exposure time is increased to capture more light and improve image quality, then motion blur increases due to object movement and shaking, but this limits image quality in terms of noise, resolution, and dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic scanning of the rotatable reflector to capture images at different positions and orientations. By synchronizing the reflector rotation with the imaging process, the system can accumulate light information from multiple time points and spatial positions, effectively extending the exposure time without the blur problem, as each momentary capture is sharp but contributes to the final composite image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple image captures taken at different times and positions into a single composite image. By combining the light information from multiple sequential captures, the system achieves extended exposure time benefits (more light collection) while maintaining image quality, as each individual capture is free from motion blur and the combining process reconstructs the final image.
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 enables the capture of high-quality images with improved resolution and dynamic range by increasing the effective size of the image sensor, overcoming the limitations of traditional mobile device camera systems, while maintaining a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable reflector that directs light from different portions of a scene to a larger image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The following relates to forming a combined image by an imaging system with a rotatable reflector. A reflector is rotated about an axis to a first position relative to an image sensor. At the first position, the reflector directs light from a first portion of a view corresponding to an external environment towards the image sensor. An image of the first portion of the view is captured by the image sensor. The reflector is rotated about the axis to a second position relative to the image sensor. At the second position, the reflector directs light from a second portion of the view corresponding to the external environment towards the image sensor. An image of the second portion of the view is captured by the image sensor. The image of the first portion and the image of the second portion are combined to form an image corresponding to the view.