Accurate Object Distance Measurement with Integrated Image Sensors
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Summary
Problems
Existing three-dimensional image sensors face challenges in accurately determining object distances, particularly at macroscopic distances, due to complex alignment requirements, long response times, and incompatibility with portable devices, especially when dealing with moving scenes.
Innovation solutions
An integrated image sensor with a pixel array and microlenses, where each pixel is composed of sub-pixels that calculate the ratio of photon detection between a central and peripheral sub-pixel to determine image diameters, allowing for distance calculation using a main lens and microlens focal distances, and comparing these diameters with reference values to determine object distances.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If stereo vision techniques are used to determine object distances, then distance information can be obtained, but the system complexity and alignment requirements increase significantly
Why choose this principle:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixels, with each pixel further segmented into a central sub-pixel and peripheral sub-pixels. This segmentation allows each pixel to independently perform distance measurements through photon ratio calculations, eliminating the need for complex multi-camera alignment while maintaining accurate depth mapping across the entire scene
Principle concept:
If stereo vision techniques are used to determine object distances, then distance information can be obtained, but the system complexity and alignment requirements increase significantly
Why choose this principle:
Each pixel in the sensor array serves multiple functions: it captures image information through its photosensitive area and simultaneously performs distance measurement by calculating photon ratios between central and peripheral sub-pixels. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate active light sources or complex transceiver systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
An integrated image sensor with a pixel array and microlenses, where each pixel is composed of sub-pixels that calculate the ratio of photon detection between a central and peripheral sub-pixel to determine image diameters, allowing for distance calculation using a main lens and microlens focal distances, and comparing these diameters with reference values to determine object distances.
Abstract
An integrated image sensor capable of determining the distance to objects contained in a scene, including a pixel array, each pixel in the array being associated with a microlens and being formed of an assembly of sub-pixels, each including a photosensitive area.