Dynamically Curved Sensor for Optical Zoom Lens

• US 20140049683A1
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Guenter, Brian K., Joshi, Neel S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,334,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/360
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 3/04 adjusting position of image plane without moving lens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 3/10 Power-operated focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/702 SSIS architectures characterised by non-identical, non-equidistant or non-planar pixel layout
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects

Abstract

The subject disclosure is directed towards an image sensor that is controllable curved to adapt for differences in lens focal lengths. Variable data such as focal length data, measured curvature data and/or image quality data is received at a curve controller that curves the sensor based upon the variable data. In one aspect, a camera is provided with a lens having a variable focal length and a sensor capable of being dynamically curved. A curve controller receives image quality data and iteratively uses the image quality data to adjust the curvature to attempt to increase the image quality of a subsequent image to be captured.

Claims

1. A system comprising, a sensor configured to capture image data received through a camera lens, the sensor further configured to be dynamically curved by a curve controller to increase image quality to adapt for differences in focal lengths.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the curve controller dynamically curves the sensor based upon focal length data.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the curve controller dynamically curves the sensor based upon captured image quality data.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the curve controller dynamically curves the sensor based upon measured curvature data.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is contained in a pressurized cavity, and the curve controller dynamically curves the sensor by changing pressure in the cavity.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the pressure in the cavity comprises gas pressure or liquid pressure.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the curve controller changes the pressure in the cavity by operating a piston.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is coupled to a carrier that puts the sensor in tension.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor has at least two different thicknesses or stiffness properties to provide for hemispherical curvature.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor has a radially varying thickness.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is etched to provide for hemispherical curvature.

12. A method comprising, receiving variable data, and based upon the variable data, curving a sensor that captures image data received through a camera lens to increase image quality to adapt for differences in focal lengths.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving the variable data comprises receiving focal length data.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving the variable data comprises receiving measured curvature data.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving the variable data comprises receiving image quality data.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving the variable data comprises receiving focal length data and image quality data, and wherein curving the sensor comprises using the focal length data to coarsely adjust the sensor curvature, and using the image quality data to finely adjust the sensor curvature by iterating over image data obtained from a plurality of captured images.

17. A camera comprising:

a lens having a variable focal length;

a sensor capable of being dynamically curved; and

a curve controller configured to receive feedback data corresponding to image quality of an image obtained through the lens and captured by the sensor, and adjust curvature of the sensor based upon the feedback data to attempt to increase image quality of a subsequent image to be captured.

18. The camera of claim 17 wherein the curvature of the sensor is controlled by pressure, and further comprising, a pressure control mechanism controlled by the curve controller to adjust the curvature of the sensor.

19. The camera of claim 17 wherein the curve controller is further configured adjust the curvature of the sensor based upon focal length data

20. The camera of claim 17 wherein the sensor has at least two different thicknesses at different locations on the sensor, or at least two varying stiffness properties at different locations on the sensor, or both at least two different thicknesses at different locations on the sensor and at least two varying stiffness properties at different locations on the sensor.