Virtual Zoom Lens Using Aperture and Pixel Clustering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional zoom lenses in optical dimensional measurement systems require additional components that are prone to failure and exhibit optical performance variations, leading to inconsistent image resolution and edge detection issues across different magnification settings.
Innovation Solution
A fixed lens system with a variable size aperture and digital sensor array, combined with aperture and image controllers, maintains image resolution and edge detection accuracy by varying the size of pixel clusters and sub-areas based on f-number changes, ensuring coaxial and parfocal operation without axial motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional zoom lens is used to vary field of view and depth of field, then different magnifications can be achieved, but the system requires additional moving components that are susceptible to failure and exhibit optical performance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zoom lens system with a fixed lens system combined with digital image processing. Instead of physically moving lens elements to change magnification, the system captures images at a fixed magnification and uses software algorithms to simulate different zoom levels by selectively processing and displaying portions of the captured image. This eliminates mechanical components while providing adaptability across multiple magnification levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of the captured image at different magnification levels through software processing. Rather than using optical elements to physically magnify different portions of the scene, the system captures a single wide-field image and generates multiple virtual magnified views by digitally replicating and enlarging specific regions of interest within the captured image data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional zoom lens is used to achieve different magnifications, then field of view can be adjusted, but optical performance variations including distortion occur between different magnification positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical zoom mechanism with a digital image processing system that maintains consistent optical performance across all magnification levels. The fixed lens system captures the entire scene with uniform optical quality, and software algorithms subsequently process the image to provide different field of view options without introducing the distortion and performance variations inherent in mechanical zoom systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters of the captured image data to simulate different magnification levels rather than physically altering the optical path. By adjusting digital parameters such as region of interest selection, scaling factors, and processing algorithms, the system provides variable field of view while maintaining consistent optical quality throughout the entire captured scene.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional zoom lens is used with multiple magnification settings, then measurement objectives can be adapted, but additional adjustments are required between different magnification settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a fully digital control system. The fixed lens system captures the complete scene, and software algorithms automatically process the image data to provide different magnification levels and measurement views. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments between magnification settings, as the system seamlessly transitions between different measurement objectives through software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement system where a single fixed lens configuration serves multiple measurement objectives. The software processing layer provides multi-functionality by enabling different magnification levels, measurement modes, and analysis techniques from a single captured image, eliminating the need for separate optical configurations for different measurement tasks.
4Device complexity
If a fixed lens system with variable aperture is used instead of a zoom lens, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but image resolution must be maintained across different digital magnifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the digital image processing to maintain effective resolution across different magnification levels. By adjusting processing parameters such as binning factors, scaling algorithms, and region selection, the system compensates for the fixed aperture constraints and maintains measurement precision equivalent to what would be achieved with optical zoom while keeping the mechanical system simple.
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 system maintains optimal image resolution and edge detection performance across different magnifications, providing a large field of view and depth of field for accurate measurements, with reduced mechanical complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a lens system that provides for forming an image of a test object on the digital sensor, and a variable size aperture of the lens system that changes an f-number of the optical system for imaging points of the test object on the digital sensor at different spot sizes
Implementation Method 2
An aperture controller varies the aperture size
Implementation Method 3
An image controller groups contiguous clusters of one or more of the pixels to a common output such that the number of pixels within each of the clusters having a common output can be varied
Implementation Method 4
A magnification controller that works in conjunction with the aperture controller and the image controller provides for (a) increasing the number of pixels within each of the clusters having a common output in accordance with an increase in the spot sizes at which points of the test object are imaged and (b) decreasing the number of pixels within each of the clusters having a common output in accordance with a decrease in the spot sizes at which points of the test object are imaged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An optical imaging system for a dimensional measuring machine including a digital sensor having an array of addressable pixels, a lens system that provides for forming an image of a test object on the digital sensor, and a variable size aperture of the lens that changes an f-number of the lens system for imaging points of the test object on the digital sensor at different spot sizes. An aperture controller varies the aperture size. An image controller groups contiguous clusters of one or more of the pixels having a common output such that the number of pixels within each of the clusters having a common output can be varied. A magnification controller that works in conjunction with the aperture controller and the image controller provides for (a) increasing the number of pixels within each of the clusters having a common output in accordance with an increase in the spot sizes at which points of the test object are imaged and (b) decreasing the number of pixels within each of the clusters having a common output in accordance with a decrease in the spot sizes at which points of the test object are imaged.