Subordinate Camera Focus via Lens Position Trajectory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras, such as those in smartphones, face challenges in maintaining focus across multiple cameras with different focal lengths and optical axes, leading to difficulties in achieving high image quality due to parasitic motion and external disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A camera system where a subordinate camera focuses based on the focus relationship with a primary camera, characterized by the trajectory of its lens position, and this relationship is updated over time to account for changes in parameters like temperature, ensuring both cameras remain in focus on the same object or at the same distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras with different focal lengths and optical axes are integrated in small form factor devices, then device versatility and functionality are improved, but maintaining focus across all cameras becomes difficult due to parasitic motion and external disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cameras with different focal lengths and optical axes into a single integrated system, sharing focus control through a unified autofocus mechanism that coordinates lens positioning across all cameras to maintain consistent focus on the same subject
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs optical image stabilization mechanisms that sense and react to external excitation and disturbance by adjusting lens position, using feedback from sensors to compensate for parasitic motion and maintain reliable focus across multiple cameras
2Manufacturing precision
If optical image stabilization mechanisms are added to compensate for parasitic motion, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical image stabilization mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it compensates for parasitic motion during autofocus operation, stabilizes the optical path during imaging, and coordinates lens positioning across multiple cameras, thereby improving image quality without proportionally increasing complexity
3Ease of operation
If autofocus mechanisms move the optical lens as a single rigid body along the optical axis, then focusing is achieved, but parasitic motion in orthogonal directions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autofocus mechanism segments the lens positioning function into independent degree of freedom controls, allowing the optical lens to be moved precisely along the optical axis while separately compensating for parasitic motion in orthogonal directions through optical image stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The optical image stabilization mechanism acts as an intermediary between the autofocus system and the optical path, sensing parasitic motion caused by rigid body lens movement and reacting by adjusting lens position to compensate, thereby maintaining both autofocus functionality and position stability
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.