Zoom Lens Optical Axis Correction via Digital Image Cropping
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Solution Overview
Problem
High magnification ratio zoom lenses experience severe optical axis misalignment due to increased number of lens units, making complete alignment impossible with current hardware limitations, which affects image quality and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that corrects optical axis misalignment by determining digital zoom information using stored data and image processing techniques, such as cropping and magnifying image data to compensate for misalignment, allowing for software-based correction of optical axis issues in zoom lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of lens units is increased to achieve high magnification ratio, then the zoom lens provides higher optical zoom capability, but optical axis misalignment becomes severe and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical optical axis alignment adjustments with digital image processing. Instead of physically adjusting lens units to achieve perfect optical axis alignment, the system uses software algorithms to correct misalignment by determining the degree of misalignment and applying digital corrections to the captured images, thereby eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical parameter adjustment (mechanical alignment) to digital parameter correction. By measuring the degree of optical axis misalignment and using this information to adjust digital imaging parameters such as image cropping and magnification, the system achieves correction without physical intervention in the optical path.
2Manufacturing precision
If lens units are assembled more carefully to reduce optical axis misalignment, then alignment precision improves, but productivity considerably deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates time-consuming mechanical alignment procedures by substituting them with digital correction methods. After lens units are assembled, the system automatically measures optical axis misalignment and applies digital corrections, replacing the need for lengthy manual adjustment processes during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs optical axis misalignment measurement and correction determination in advance during the imaging process, rather than requiring precise mechanical alignment during assembly. By pre-determining the degree of misalignment and preparing correction parameters before image capture, the system avoids delays in the assembly process.
3Manufacturing precision
If complete optical axis adjustment is attempted with careful assembly, then alignment precision improves, but it becomes practically impossible due to physical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with simple digital processing. Instead of attempting to physically adjust multiple lens units to achieve perfect alignment, the system uses software algorithms to measure and correct optical axis misalignment, thereby eliminating the complexity of mechanical adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the optical axis misalignment state and corrects it through image processing rather than physically adjusting the optical components. By measuring the misalignment and applying corresponding digital corrections to the captured images, the system achieves alignment without physical intervention in the optical path.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of correcting an optical axis of a zoom lens includes obtaining a degree of optical axis misalignment corresponding to a current zoom lens state of a camera, considering the current zoom lens state of the camera and data previously stored to define a relationship between a state of the zoom lens of the camera and the degree of optical axis misalignment, determining digital zoom information to compensate for the degree of optical axis misalignment, considering the degree of optical axis misalignment, and generating correction image data by cropping and magnifying image data photographed by the camera to correspond to the digital zoom information.