Variable Lateral Magnification Imaging System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging and optical sensing devices face challenges in long-range tracking and aiming due to the narrow field of view associated with high zoom optics, leading to difficulties in reacquiring targets and poor situational awareness, as traditional variable zoom systems suffer from time delays, manufacturing complexities, and mechanical failures.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising two cameras with different fields of view and magnifications, processed to produce a composite image with variable lateral magnification, allowing for simultaneous wide field of view and high zoom in selected regions, without moving parts, using digital image processing to adjust and distribute magnification levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional variable zoom optics are used to achieve high magnification, then zoom capability is improved, but time delay occurs during zooming and target may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoom capabilityVSAvoidtime delay during zooming

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The field of view is segmented into multiple zones with different magnification levels. The image is divided into a central high-magnification region and peripheral low-magnification regions, allowing simultaneous display of both detailed target view and wide contextual view without time delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from temporal zooming (sequential magnification changes over time) to spatial magnification distribution (different magnification levels arranged in different spatial zones within the same image frame). This eliminates time delay by presenting multiple magnification levels simultaneously in different spatial regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If high zoom optics are used to achieve high magnification, then magnification level is improved, but field of view becomes narrow and situational awareness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnification levelVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the displayed image have different magnification qualities. The central region provides high magnification for detailed target observation, while peripheral regions provide low magnification for wide field of view and situational awareness. Each region is optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional variable zoom optics with moving parts are used, then zoom functionality is achieved, but reliability decreases due to common points of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable zoom functionalityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical zoom systems (with moving parts that can fail) with a digital image processing system. Multiple cameras capture images simultaneously, and software processes these images to create the variable magnification effect, eliminating mechanical components and their associated failure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If variable zoom optics are used to achieve different magnification levels, then magnification versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to high tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnification levelsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing a single complex optical system with variable zoom capability, the patent uses multiple simpler camera systems that simultaneously capture images. The variable magnification effect is created by copying and processing these images digitally, replacing complex manufacturing with simpler replication and digital manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9538096B2Imaging system and methods with variable lateral magnification

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for producing images having variable lateral magnification. One example of such a method includes receiving a first image having a first level of magnification and representing a first field of view, simultaneously receiving a second image having a second level of magnification and representing a second field of view, the second level of magnification being higher than the first level of magnification and the second field of view being narrower than the first field of view, and digitally processing the first and second images to produce a composite image having a variable lateral magnification derived from the first and second levels of magnification.