Unified Molded Camera Housing for Optical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video conferencing systems face limitations due to high costs, technical deficiencies, poor camera viewpoints, insufficient image resolution, and user-friendliness issues, with existing camera designs being fragile and difficult to operate.
Innovation Solution
A panoramic camera design utilizing a unified molded structure of optical material to house a mirror, aligned sensor, and lens assembly, which is lower cost, robust, and user-friendly, with a solid housing that maintains optical alignment and minimizes dust and user interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a panoramic camera design with multiple cameras and mirrors is used, then the field of view is expanded to 360 degrees, but the system becomes more complex and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cameras, mirrors, and optical components into a single integrated housing unit. The housing encapsulates all optical elements (lenses, mirrors, sensors) in one unified structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining the 360-degree panoramic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the delicate optical components, maintains precise alignment between lenses and sensors, enables the 360-degree field of view through strategic mirror placement, and provides a compact form factor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate components for mirrors, lenses, and sensors are used, then the system is easier to manufacture individually, but the assembly becomes complex and alignment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the mounting structures for mirrors, lenses, and sensors directly into the housing as unified features. The housing includes integrated mounting surfaces and alignment features that simultaneously position all optical components, eliminating the need for separate alignment procedures and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-designed with built-in alignment features and mounting structures that automatically position optical components correctly during assembly. The integrated design allows all components to be installed in a single operation with precise alignment achieved through the housing's built-in geometric references and mounting surfaces.
3Device complexity
If the optical path is open to the environment, then the system is simpler in structure, but dust and user fingers can interfere with optical alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The housing acts as a protective enclosure that encapsulates the optical path. This sealed structure prevents dust and external contaminants from reaching the optical components while maintaining the structural integrity and simplicity of the overall design. The housing walls form a protective barrier without requiring complex additional protection mechanisms.
4Reliability
If a robust housing structure is used to protect optical components, then the system becomes more reliable, but the device becomes more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The housing integrates multiple protective functions into a single structure that simultaneously encloses optical components, maintains alignment, and provides mechanical strength. By combining these functions in one unified design rather than using separate protective components, the patent achieves robustness without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity or cost.
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
The camera design provides a stable, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution with improved image capture, enhancing the usability and reliability of video conferencing systems by enclosing the optical path and preventing damage from user handling.
Implementation Method 1
a unified molded structure made of optical material to house a mirror, aligned sensor, and lens assembly
Implementation Method 2
The unified molded structure of the camera keeps the sensed optical path enclosed to minimize dust and user's fingers
Implementation Method 3
This camera system of the invention uses N cameras and an N sided mirror to capture images of the surrounding scene
Data Source
AI summary
A panoramic camera design that is lower cost, robust, stable and more user friendly than prior art designs. The camera design makes use of a unified molded structure of optical material to house a mirror, aligned sensor, and lens assembly. The unified molded structure of the camera keeps the sensed optical path enclosed to minimize dust and user's fingers and maintain optical alignment.