Tiltable Image Sensor Inversion for Compact Camera Focus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital cameras with tiltable lenses are mechanically complex, expensive, and limited in focal distances, making it difficult to achieve sharp focusing of large image areas with adjustable sharpness and automated adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A digital camera with a tiltable image sensor relative to the lens axis, enabled by a controllable movement element that allows for precise adjustment of the image sensor's angle, allowing for a flexible and cost-efficient solution that can use standard lenses and maintain a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a tiltable lens is used to achieve a tiltable plane of sharp focus, then the plane of sharp focus can be tilted with regards to the longitudinal axis of the lens, but the mechanical complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiltability of plane of sharp focusVSAvoidmechanical complexity of lens system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the lens tiltable to achieve a tiltable plane of sharp focus, the patent inverts the approach by making the image sensor tiltable. This inversion simplifies the mechanical system because standard lenses are used, while the tilting function is achieved through the movable mounting of the image sensor relative to the lens, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If a tiltable lens is used to achieve sharp focusing of large image areas, then the plane of sharp focus can be tilted, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharp focusing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves sharp focusing of large image areas by inverting the conventional approach: rather than using an expensive tiltable lens, it employs a standard lens combined with a tiltable image sensor mounting. This allows the plane of sharp focus to be tilted while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and lower cost, as standard lenses are used without requiring complex tilt mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Extent of automation

If a tiltable lens is used to achieve automated adjustments of sharpness, then the plane of sharp focus can be tilted, but the device becomes more complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated adjustments of sharpnessVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables automated adjustments of sharpness by inverting the conventional tiltable lens approach. Instead of mechanically tilting the lens, the image sensor is mounted on a movable platform that can be automatically adjusted. This inversion reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining automated control capabilities, as the sensor mounting system can be integrated with automated control mechanisms without requiring complex lens tilt mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7634184B2Digital camera with tiltable image sensor

Publication Date: 2009.12.15 RPX CORP

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera for generating digital images with an image sensor that is configured to convert an image formed by a lens into electronic signals. The digital camera is characterized by that the image sensor is attached to a movement element with a controllable drive, the movement element rendering the image sensor tiltable so that an angle between the axis of the lens and a plane of the image sensor is modifiable.