Auto-focus in low-profile folded optics multi-camera system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An image capture system comprising:
- a plurality of cameras each operable to capture an image of a different one of a plurality of portions of a target scene, a camera of the plurality of cameras comprising;
an image sensor;
a first reflective surface positioned to redirect light representing one portion of the corresponding plurality of portions of the target image scene in a first direction toward the image sensor;
an optical element havingan input surface positioned such that light redirected from the first reflective surface propagates through the input surface,a second reflective surface positioned to redirect the light in a second direction toward the image sensor,an output surface through which light redirected by the second reflective surface propagates in the second direction toward the image sensor, anda guide surface positioned on an opposite side of the optical element from the output surface and extending generally parallel to a plane formed by the image sensor;
at least one movable lens positioned between the first and second reflective surfaces;
an actuator operable to move the at least one movable lens along an optical axis extending between the first and second reflective surfaces; and
a guide rail coupled to the actuator and the at least one movable lens, the at least one guide rail positioned to slidably engage the guide surface to constrain motion of the at least one movable lens away from the optical axis or rotating around the optical axis; and
a processor operable to execute instructions for combining the plurality of portions of the target scene into a final image of the target scene.
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Abstract
An image capturing system and a method of autofocusing are disclosed such that, for example, when a folded optics configuration is used, a field corrector lens can be placed on the image sensor of the system and a plurality of lenses can be placed perpendicular to the image sensor. The plurality of lenses can be movable relative to the image sensor such that acceptable MTF curve performances can be obtained when the image capturing system is focused at reference distances.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An image capture system comprising:
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a plurality of cameras each operable to capture an image of a different one of a plurality of portions of a target scene, a camera of the plurality of cameras comprising; an image sensor; a first reflective surface positioned to redirect light representing one portion of the corresponding plurality of portions of the target image scene in a first direction toward the image sensor; an optical element having an input surface positioned such that light redirected from the first reflective surface propagates through the input surface, a second reflective surface positioned to redirect the light in a second direction toward the image sensor, an output surface through which light redirected by the second reflective surface propagates in the second direction toward the image sensor, and a guide surface positioned on an opposite side of the optical element from the output surface and extending generally parallel to a plane formed by the image sensor; at least one movable lens positioned between the first and second reflective surfaces; an actuator operable to move the at least one movable lens along an optical axis extending between the first and second reflective surfaces; and a guide rail coupled to the actuator and the at least one movable lens, the at least one guide rail positioned to slidably engage the guide surface to constrain motion of the at least one movable lens away from the optical axis or rotating around the optical axis; and a processor operable to execute instructions for combining the plurality of portions of the target scene into a final image of the target scene. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An image capture device comprising:
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an image sensor; a first reflective surface positioned to redirect light representing a portion of light representing a target scene in a first direction toward the image sensor; an optical element having an input surface positioned such that light redirected from the first reflective surface propagates through the input surface, a second reflective surface positioned to redirect the light in a second direction toward the image sensor, an output surface through which light redirected by the second reflective surface propagates in the second direction toward the image sensor, and a guide surface positioned on an opposite side of the optical element from the output surface and extending generally parallel to a plane formed by the image sensor; and at least one movable lens positioned between the first and second reflective surfaces; an actuator operable to move the at least one movable lens along an optical axis extending between the first and second reflective surfaces; and a guide rail coupled to the actuator and the at least one movable lens, the at least one guide rail positioned to slidably engage the guide surface to constrain motion of the at least one movable lens away from the optical axis or rotating around the optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification