Wide Angle Camera Using Spectroscopic Prism Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide-angle images captured with wide-angle lenses often suffer from barrel distortion, where the edges of the image appear shrunk and the center appears swollen, due to differences in refractive indices of different colors of light causing aberrations and varying lateral magnification.
Innovation Solution
A wide-angle camera design incorporating a spectroscopic module with a first and second optical prism that splits external light into two beams, which are then imaged by separate modules with narrow perspectives, and synthesized to form a distortion-free wide-angle image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide-angle lens with angle of view greater than 100 degrees is used, then the field of view is improved, but barrel distortion occurs in the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide-angle imaging into multiple narrow-field imaging modules (first imaging module and second imaging module). Each module captures a portion of the scene with minimal distortion, and the images are later synthesized to form a complete wide-angle image, thereby avoiding barrel distortion while maintaining wide field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single wide-angle lens to a multi-module arrangement where imaging modules are positioned at different spatial locations (first sidewall and second sidewall of the spectroscopic lens holder). This spatial dimensionality change allows each module to capture narrow-field images from different perspectives that are then combined.
2Device complexity
If a single wide-angle lens is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple independent imaging modules, each with its own lens and sensor. This segmentation allows each module to use simpler narrow-field optics while the overall system achieves wide-angle capability through synthesis, balancing device complexity with image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectroscopic module with optical prisms acts as an intermediary that receives light from the external scene, splits it into multiple beams, and directs them to different imaging modules. This intermediary structure enables the coordination between multiple simple imaging modules to achieve the function of a complex wide-angle lens.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple imaging modules are used, then image quality is improved by reducing distortion, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple imaging modules are merged into a single integrated wide-angle imaging system through the spectroscopic module. The individual images from first and second imaging modules are synthesized into one wide-angle image, combining their strengths while presenting a unified output that justifies the increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectroscopic module serves multiple functions: it acts as a light splitter, a beam director, and a coordinate transformer. By making this component multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while enabling the multi-module imaging approach.
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 solution effectively eliminates barrel distortion by generating and synthesizing images from split light beams, resulting in a wide-angle image without the shape distortions present in traditional wide-angle captures.
Implementation Method 1
Concerning different refractive index of different color of light, the distance between the imaging point of each color light and the optical axis after it is refracted by the lens is different from that of other color light
Data Source
AI summary
A wide-angle camera comprises a spectroscopic module, a first imaging module, and a second imaging module. The spectroscopic module comprises a spectroscopic lens holder, a first optical prism, and a second optical prism. The first optical prism is disposed on a first sidewall of the spectroscopic lens holder. The second optical prism is disposed on a second sidewall of the spectroscopic lens holder. The first sidewall is opposite to the second sidewall. An external light is split into a first light and a second light correspondingly through the first optical prism and the second optical prism. The first imaging module corresponds to the first optical prism and receives the first light for generating a first image. The second imaging module corresponds to the second optical prism and receives the second light for generating a second image. The first image and the second image are synthesized into a wide-angle image.