Folded Tele Macro Imaging With Focus Stacking Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices with dual-camera setups struggle to capture high-quality macro images due to the limitations of ultra-wide cameras in focusing close objects, leading to poor spatial resolution and challenges in capturing objects with significant depth variation, while tele cameras have shallow depth of field, making it difficult to image subjects like insects or flowers all-in-focus.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a tele camera with a lens actuator that can focus between 3.0 cm and 35 cm with an object-to-image magnification of 1:5 to 25:1, combined with an application processor that analyzes image data to generate a new macro image by shifting focus planes and using phase detection auto-focus data, depth maps, and artificial lighting scenarios to ensure all objects of interest are in focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If an ultra-wide camera is used for macro photography, then close focusing capability is achieved, but spatial resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using the telecamera, originally designed for standard photography, to perform both standard and macro photography functions. The lens actuator enables the telecamera to focus at close distances (3.0-35 cm), transforming it into a dual-purpose camera that can handle both regular and macro shots, thereby achieving macro capability without relying on the ultra-wide camera's poor resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focusing parameter of the telecamera by introducing a lens actuator that enables focusing at close distances (3.0-35 cm). This parameter change transforms the telecamera from a standard-focused device to one capable of macro photography, improving spatial resolution while maintaining close focusing capability
2Measurement precision
If a tele camera is used for macro photography, then spatial resolution is improved, but depth of field becomes too shallow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the macro image capture process into multiple focused frames captured at different focus planes. The application processor then combines these segmented frames into a single composite image with extended depth of field, effectively solving the shallow depth of field problem while maintaining high spatial resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from capturing a single 2D image to capturing a sequence of 2D images at different focus planes and combining them into a composite image with extended depth of field. This dimensional approach in the focus plane domain allows overcoming the shallow depth of field limitation
3Length of moving object
If ultra-wide camera is used for macro photography, then close object capture is enabled, but framing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focal length parameter by using a telecamera instead of an ultra-wide camera. The telecamera's longer focal length provides a narrower field of view that naturally frames macro subjects more effectively, making it easier for users to compose and frame images of small objects at close distances
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 high-quality macro imaging with larger object-to-image magnification and improved depth of field, allowing for clear capture of subjects with varying depths, such as insects and flowers, by generating a composite image from a sequence of focused frames.
Implementation Method 1
a Tele camera comprising a Tele lens module; a lens actuator for moving the Tele lens module for focusing to any distance or set of distances between 3.0 cm and 35 cm with an object-to-image magnification between 1:5 and 25:1
Implementation Method 2
phase detection auto-focus data
Data Source
AI summary
Systems comprising a Wide/Ultra-Wide camera, a folded Tele camera comprising an optical path folding element and a Tele lens module, a lens actuator for moving the Tele lens module for focusing to object-lens distances between 3.0 cm and 35 cm with an object-to-image magnification between 1:5 and 25:1, and an application processor (AP), wherein the AP is configured to analyze image data from the UW camera to define a Tele capture strategy for a sequence of Macro images with a focus plane slightly shifted from one captured Macro image to another and to generate a new Macro image from this sequence, and wherein the focus plane and a depth of field of the new Macro image can be controlled continuously.