Thin Imaging Apparatus with Multiple Optical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging apparatuses using composite lenses are thick, making it difficult to create thin, multifunctional, and operator-jitters-free portable devices with sharp color imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A thin imaging apparatus with multiple optical systems and imaging regions, each with a high-refractive index optical material for efficient light reception, and a drive mechanism using piezoelectric actuators for precise optical system movement, allowing for focus control and magnified pictures without increasing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a composite lens is used to achieve focus control and magnified picture functions, then the imaging apparatus can perform multiple functions, but the thickness of the imaging apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging apparatus is divided into multiple independent optical systems (first optical system, second optical system, etc.), each with its own imaging region on the imaging sensor. This segmentation allows each optical system to be optimized for specific functions (e.g., wide-angle, telephoto) without requiring a thick composite lens structure, thereby achieving multiple functions while maintaining thinness.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical systems share a common imaging sensor and housing structure, allowing a single thin imaging apparatus to perform multiple functions such as standard photography, wide-angle shooting, and magnified picture capture. The imaging sensor serves as a universal platform for all optical systems.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple optical systems are integrated into a thin housing, then the thickness is reduced, but the assembly precision and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical systems are integrated onto a single common substrate or housing structure, with their optical axes aligned to pass through corresponding regions of the imaging sensor. This merging approach simplifies assembly by providing a unified reference framework, reducing the complexity of aligning multiple separate lens assemblies while maintaining the thin profile.
3Device complexity
If the optical axis is positioned at the center of the imaging sensor, then the optical system is simplified, but the ability to capture magnified pictures and perform focus control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of achieving functional diversity through complex adjustments of a single central optical system, the patent adds the dimension of multiple optical systems arranged side-by-side, each with its own optical axis positioned to correspond with specific regions of the imaging sensor. This spatial arrangement in another dimension enables magnified picture capture and focus control without requiring complex mechanical adjustments.
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 the creation of thin, multifunctional, and operator-jitters-free portable devices capable of capturing sharp color images by efficiently combining images from multiple optical systems and correcting parallax, while maintaining image quality and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism using piezoelectric actuators for precise optical system movement
Implementation Method 2
each with a high-refractive index optical material for efficient light reception
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of imaging regions are provided in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of optical systems and are disposed on optical axes of the respective optical systems. Each imaging region has a plurality of pixels. The imaging apparatus further comprises an origin assigning means for assigning an origin of each imaging region, a pixel position specifying means for specifying positions of a plurality of pixels included in each imaging region using the origin as a reference, and a combination means for combining a plurality of images captured by the respective imaging regions. Thereby, it is possible to make a thin imaging apparatus capable of being easily assembled.