Six-Lens Optical System for Confocal Visible and Infrared Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional optical image capturing systems in portable electronic devices struggle to meet the demands of high pixel density and improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions, due to limitations in light intake and the need for higher-order camera lens modules, and they require expensive IR cut filters that occupy significant space, hindering miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
An optical image capturing system utilizing a combination of refractive powers and convex/concave surfaces of six lenses, optimized for both visible and infrared wavelengths, to achieve a near-confocal effect without the need for IR cut filters, thereby enhancing light intake and image quality while minimizing size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional optical image capturing systems use four-lens or fifth-lens designs, then the structure is simpler, but the light intake is insufficient and image quality deteriorates in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lens elements with different refractive powers (positive and negative) into a unified six-lens optical system. This merging of optical elements with complementary properties enables increased light intake while maintaining structural integration, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and illumination intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed to handle multiple wavelengths (visible and infrared) simultaneously through the same lens assembly. The six-lens configuration provides multi-functional capability for both daytime visible light imaging and nighttime infrared imaging, improving light intake across different spectral ranges without requiring separate optical paths.
2Measurement precision
If IR cut filters are added to improve image fidelity by blocking infrared light during daytime, then color accuracy improves, but the filter occupies significant space and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength-selective function from a separate physical IR cut filter component and integrates it directly into the lens elements through material selection. By taking out the filtering function from a discrete component and embedding it within the optical path of the lenses, the system achieves infrared control without occupying additional space, resolving the contradiction between image fidelity and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of light focusing and wavelength filtering into a single integrated optical system. The lens elements simultaneously perform refraction for image formation and spectral filtering through their material properties, eliminating the need for separate IR cut filter components and reducing overall system volume.
3Measurement precision
If the optical system is designed for high pixel density imaging, then imaging quality improves, but the requirement for higher-order camera lens modules increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific refractive power characteristics to individual lens elements at different positions in the optical system. Each lens element is optimized with appropriate positive or negative refractive power to correct specific aberrations, enabling high imaging quality for pixel density while avoiding the need for overly complex higher-order lens modules.
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 system effectively increases light admission and improves image quality across visible and infrared spectrums, enabling miniaturization of surveillance cameras and other electronic devices while maintaining high image fidelity and reducing production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
An optical image capturing system includes, in the order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, and a sixth lens, an image plane. The first lens to sixth lens all have refractive power.
Implementation Method 2
utilize the combination of refractive powers, convex surfaces and concave surfaces of six lenses, as well as the selection of materials thereof, to reduce the difference between the image focal length of visible light and image focal length of infrared light, that is, to achieve a near 'confocal' effect
Data Source
AI summary
An optical image capturing system is provided. In order from an object side to an image side, the optical image capturing system includes a first lens, a second lens with, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, and a sixth lens. There is at least one lens with positive refractive power among the first lens to the fifth lens. The sixth lens may have negative refractive power and the object side and the image side thereof are aspheric At least one surface of the sixth has inflection points. When meeting some certain conditions, the optical image capturing system may have outstanding light-gathering ability and an adjustment ability about the optical path in order to elevate the image quality.