Variable Mirror Camera Assembly for Undistorted Wide Viewing Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for achieving a wide viewing angle in camera systems, such as using multiple cameras or wide-angle lenses, face challenges in size constraints and image distortion, particularly in applications like laparoscopes where a small, undistorted, high-quality image is required.
Innovation Solution
A camera assembly incorporating a variable mirror that can switch between reflection and transmission modes, allowing an image sensor to capture both lateral and frontal views, with an image processing unit registering these images to generate a single, undistorted image with a wider viewing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a wide-angle lens or fisheye lens is used to acquire an image having a wide viewing angle, then the viewing angle is increased, but image distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The field of view is divided into two separate images: a first image captured through the variable mirror (showing lateral/side views) and a second image captured directly through the lens (showing frontal views). These two segmented views are then registered and combined to form a composite wide-angle image, avoiding the distortion inherent in traditional wide-angle lenses while achieving an expanded viewing angle.
Solution Approach 2:
A variable mirror is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the lens and image sensor. This mirror can dynamically switch between reflecting light (to capture lateral views) and allowing light transmission (to capture frontal views). The variable mirror acts as a mediator that enables the system to acquire multiple perspectives without using a distorted wide-angle lens.
2Shape
If multiple cameras are physically arranged to acquire an image having a wide viewing angle, then the viewing angle is increased and image distortion is reduced, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera system is made multi-functional through the variable mirror, enabling it to capture both lateral views (when mirror reflects light) and frontal views (when mirror transmits light). This eliminates the need for multiple separate cameras while achieving the same wide viewing angle effect, reducing device complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable mirror introduces dynamic switching capability to the optical system. The mirror can change its state between reflection and transmission modes, allowing a single static camera to effectively capture multiple perspectives that would traditionally require multiple cameras. This dynamic element replaces static multi-camera arrangements.
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 assembly achieves a wider viewing angle than conventional wide-angle or fisheye lenses, providing a high-quality, undistorted image with increased information capture, suitable for applications like laparoscopes and surgical robots.
Implementation Method 1
a variable mirror located in front of an image sensor, a variable mirror controller to switch a mode of the variable mirror to one of a reflection mode to reflect light incident upon the variable mirror
Implementation Method 2
a transmission mode to transmit light incident upon the variable mirror
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a camera assembly having a wide viewing angle using a variable mirror. The camera assembly includes a variable mirror located in front of an image sensor, a variable mirror controller to switch a mode of the variable mirror to one of a reflection mode to reflect light incident upon the variable mirror and a transmission mode to transmit light incident upon the variable mirror, an image sensor to sense the light reflected by the variable mirror to acquire first image data and to sense the light transmitted through the variable mirror to acquire second image data, and an image processing unit to register the first image data and the second image data acquired by the image sensor to generate a third image.