Single-Optic HDR Imaging With Split Sensor Light Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-dynamic range imaging techniques require long exposure times or complex hardware setups, and asynchronous image acquisition poses challenges when capturing rapidly changing scenes.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a primary optical element and reflective relay surfaces splits incident light onto two different optically-sensitive areas of a single image sensor, allowing simultaneous capture of multiple views with varying light intensities without complex hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple cameras are used to capture images simultaneously for high-dynamic range imaging, then image capture speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image sensor into multiple regions, each with different exposure settings. This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of multiple exposure levels using a single camera, eliminating the need for multiple cameras while maintaining high-dynamic range imaging capability and capturing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
A single image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing different exposure levels simultaneously through region-specific exposure control. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple specialized cameras, reducing device complexity while maintaining imaging speed.
2Device complexity
If multiple images are captured at different times for high-dynamic range imaging, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to asynchronous image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is segmented into multiple regions that simultaneously capture different exposure levels of the same scene. This ensures all exposure data is captured at the exact same moment, maintaining reliability for rapidly changing scenes while using only a single camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous capture of multiple exposure levels in a single imaging operation. All exposure data is collected continuously and simultaneously rather than sequentially, ensuring no temporal gaps that would compromise image synchronization reliability.
3Measurement precision
If long exposure times are used for high-dynamic range imaging, then image quality is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the image sensor into regions with different exposure settings, the patent captures multiple exposure levels simultaneously in a single short exposure cycle. This eliminates the need for multiple sequential exposures, maintaining high image quality across different brightness levels while dramatically improving capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a single periodic exposure cycle that simultaneously captures multiple exposure levels rather than requiring multiple periodic cycles. This consolidates what would traditionally require multiple exposure periods into one, improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision through the use of region-specific exposure control.
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
Provides high-dynamic range imaging without long exposure times or complex hardware, enhancing object identification in varying lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more reflective relay surfaces configured to split incident light from a common scene so as to be incident on two different optically-sensitive areas on the single image sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to multiple view optical systems. An example optical system includes at least one primary optical element configured to receive incident light from a scene and a plurality of relay mirrors optically coupled to the at least one primary optical element. The optical system also includes a lens optically coupled to the plurality of relay mirrors, and an image sensor configured to receive focused light from the lens. The image sensor includes a first light-sensitive area and a second light-sensitive area. The primary optical element, the plurality of relay mirrors, and the lens interact with the incident light to form a first focused light portion and a second focused light portion. The first focused light portion forms a first image portion of the scene on the first light-sensitive area and the second focused light portion forms a second image portion of the scene on the second light-sensitive area.