Switchable Lens Optics for Bokeh Without Field-of-View Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens apparatuses struggle to provide versatile visual expressions, such as sharp focus and bokeh effects, while maintaining consistent field of view and high resolution, especially in broadcast applications like live sports broadcasting.
Innovation Solution
A lens apparatus with a switching mechanism that allows instantaneous switching between optical units with equivalent focal lengths and controlled spherical aberration, enabling sharp focus and bokeh effects without changing the field of view, using a configuration that satisfies specific inequalities for focal length and spherical aberration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different optical units are used to achieve different visual expressions (sharp focus and bokeh), then visual expression versatility is improved, but field of view consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens apparatus is divided into multiple optical units (first optical unit with sharp focus characteristics and second optical unit with bokeh characteristics), each handling different visual expression requirements. The switching mechanism selects the appropriate optical unit based on the desired visual effect, allowing versatile expression while maintaining consistent field of view through equivalent focal length design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters (spherical aberration amount, focal length equivalence) between different optical units to achieve different visual expressions. By carefully controlling the spherical aberration amount and maintaining equivalent focal lengths, the system transitions between sharp focus and bokeh effects while preserving field of view consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical units with different focal lengths are used to achieve different visual expressions, then visual expression versatility is improved, but imaging resolution consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains equivalent focal lengths across different optical units while varying other parameters like spherical aberration amount. This approach ensures that imaging resolution and field of view remain consistent when switching between visual expressions, while still achieving the desired versatility in sharp focus and bokeh effects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a switching mechanism is added to enable visual expression switching, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct optical units that can be independently selected. The switching mechanism simply selects between pre-configured optical units rather than continuously adjusting parameters, which simplifies the control system while maintaining the ability to switch between different visual expressions.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical units are designed to work within the same overall lens apparatus structure, sharing common mounting interfaces and control systems. This multi-functionality approach allows a single apparatus to provide both sharp focus and bokeh effects without requiring separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Enables consistent and high-resolution imaging with varying visual expressions, such as sharp focus and bokeh, by maintaining equivalent focal lengths and controlled aberration, ensuring visually seamless transitions and stable mechanical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a lens apparatus includes a plurality of lenses, a first optical unit that includes a first part of the plurality of lenses, a second optical unit that includes a second part of the plurality of lenses
Implementation Method 2
controlled spherical aberration, enabling sharp focus and bokeh effects without changing the field of view
Data Source
AI summary
A lens apparatus includes a plurality of lenses, a first optical unit that includes a first part of the plurality of lenses, a second optical unit that includes a second part of the plurality of lenses, and a switching mechanism configured to switch between the first optical unit and the second optical unit, wherein a focal length of the first optical unit and a focal length of the second optical unit are equivalent to each other.