Optical system, multispectral optical sensor, and electric device

Abstract

An optical system (1) for a multispectral optical sensor (10) comprises: a diffusing element (2); a detector (3) comprising a detection plane (30); an optical element (4) having an entrance side (41) and an exit side (42), located between the diffusion element (2) and the detector (3); and an aperture (5) located at the incident side (41) of the optical element (4) between the diffusing element (2) and the optical element (41). The optical element (4) is configured to image at least one field of view (100) to a detection plane (30). The detection plane (30) is arranged in a focal plane of the optical element (4). The diffusing element (2) is configured to scatter light from the field of view (100), generating a blurred image (90) of the field of view (100) in the detection plane (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An optical system is described. Furthermore, a multispectral optical sensor including the optical system and an electric actuator including the multispectral optical sensor are described. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In addition, one objective is to define an improved optical system particularly suitable for multispectral optical sensors. Another objective is to define a multispectral optical sensor and an electric actuator comprising such an optical system.

[0003] These objectives are achieved, respectively, by an optical system comprising the features of independent claim 1, by a multispectral optical sensor comprising the features of claim 13, and by an electric device comprising the features of claim 16.

[0004] According to at least one embodiment, the optical system includes: a diffuser element; a detector including a detector plane; and an optical element having an incident side and an exit side, disposed between the diffuser element and the detector. In particular, the diffuser element is configured to at least partially scatter light from the object in the field of view of the optical element before the light from the object is imaged onto the detection plane by the optical element.

[0005] In particular, light from the object to be imaged enters the optical element via the incident side and exits via the exit side. Preferably, the exit side of the optical element faces the detector.

[0006] The detector is, for example, a semiconductor detector. For instance, the detector includes a photodiode or CCD (“charge-coupled device”) chip. Preferably, the detector includes multiple detection regions, such as pixels and / or sub-pixels arranged side-by-side in a detection plane. For example, the detection plane is parallel to the emission side of the optical element. In particular, the detector is a CMOS (“complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor”) detector.

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the optical system includes an aperture located on the incident side of an optical element, disposed between a diffuser element and the optical element. Preferably, the aperture is disposed directly at the optical element. That is, preferably no other elements, especially no other optically active elements, are disposed between the aperture and the optical element. Alternatively, at least one additional element may be disposed between the aperture and the optical element. The additional element may be, for example, a connecting device, such as an adhesive or the like. Further, the aperture is part of the incident side. For example, the incident side may be processed to form the aperture. In particular, the aperture is opaque to radiation in the visible light wavelength range. Preferably, the aperture is opaque to light to be detected by a detector.

[0008] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the optical element is configured to image at least one field of view onto the detection plane. That is, the optical element is an imaging optics device.

[0009] In particular, the optical elements can be configured to image multiple fields of view onto the detection plane. In this case, it is preferable to image different fields of view in different regions of the detection plane. Specifically, these different regions are distinct. For example, each of the different regions forms a detection region. For example, the optical system includes, in particular, a total field of view formed by the combination of all fields of view. That is, in this case, each field of view is a segment of the total field of view. It should be understood here and below that, when referring to multiple fields of view, these fields of view are in particular segments of the total field of view. Preferably, the fields of view (i.e., segments of the total field of view) are distinct. Alternatively, at least some fields of view at least partially overlap.

[0010] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the detector plane is arranged in the focal plane of the optical element.

[0011] According to at least one embodiment, the diffuser element is configured to scatter light from the field of view, thereby generating a blurred image of the field of view in the detector plane. Specifically, objects in the field of view appear as defocused images at the detector plane, even though the detector plane is arranged within the focal plane of the optical element. In particular, due to scattering in the diffuser element, objects and / or the field of view may appear blurred in the detector plane. For example, objects and / or the field of view may appear in the protective plane as if observed through frosted glass. Specifically, the outlines, edges, and small structures of the objects and / or the field of view become blurred and cannot be fully or clearly identified at the detector plane. That is, the field of view is optically averaged, for example, causing small structures to blend smoothly together.

[0012] Preferably, the light intensity of the field of view in the detection plane comprises a Gaussian distribution. In the case where multiple fields of view are imaged onto the detection plane (especially onto multiple different detection regions), the blurred image associated with a particular field of view exhibits a Gaussian distribution, which covers most of the detection region allocated to the corresponding field of view, especially at least one-third, at least half, or at least two-thirds.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the optical system for a multispectral optical sensor includes: a diffuser element; a detector including a detection plane; an optical element having an incident side and an exit side, disposed between the diffuser element and the detector; and an aperture located at the incident side of the optical element, disposed between the diffuser element and the optical element. The optical element is configured to image at least one field of view onto the detection plane. The detection plane is disposed in the focal plane of the optical element. The diffuser element is configured to scatter light from the field of view, such that a blurred image of the field of view is generated in the detection plane.

[0014] The optical system described herein is further based on the following technical considerations. To improve the color of a photographic image, it is advantageous to know the ambient light conditions of the scene captured by the camera. Thus, the ambient light conditions can be taken into account, and the photographic image can be adjusted accordingly to display the colors of the photographic image as realistically as possible. To determine the ambient light conditions, an ambient light sensor (such as a multispectral sensor) is typically used in conjunction with the camera. By using a multispectral sensor, not only the intensity of the ambient light can be analyzed, but also the spectral distribution of the light. For example, a photographic image captured under candlelight ambient light conditions may display different colors compared to a photograph of the same scene captured with a cool white LED as the ambient light source. By using a multispectral sensor, the ambient light conditions can be analyzed, and the photographic image can be adjusted so that, for example, the photographic image displays substantially the same colors under the ambient light conditions.

[0015] If there is more than one ambient light source in the scene captured by a camera, it has been shown that a multispectral sensor comprising multiple fields of view that at least partially overlap with the camera's field of view in the object plane of the scene to be captured. In particular, this allows for the detection of ambient light gradients under ambient light conditions, which can be used to improve the image quality of the photographic image, for example, in the presence of multiple ambient light sources or when ambient light conditions are dynamically changing.

[0016] In particular, multispectral sensors comprising multiple fields of view often have low resolution. Furthermore, the structure of objects within the field of view is generally less important for multispectral sensor applications, as typically only the spectral distribution (e.g., average value) of ambient light within the field of view is of interest. It has been demonstrated that, particularly in cases where the multispectral sensor comprises multiple fields of view, there are specific advantages to imaging a blurred or defocused image of the field of view onto the detector of the multispectral sensor. By imaging the blurred image at the detector, the field of view can be optically averaged. For example, such a blurred image can be achieved if the detector is positioned outside the focal point of the optics of the multispectral sensor. Further details regarding how to achieve blurred images and their advantages are disclosed, for example, in document WO 2022 / 074047 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] However, when operating a multispectral sensor at low resolution, misalignment and chromatic aberration can cause crosstalk between adjacent detector regions corresponding to the field of view of the multispectral sensor. Furthermore, monochromatic images captured by a multispectral sensor may exhibit different distortions and centering issues. This negative impact can be compensated for through interpolation. Document WO 2023 / 117468 A1 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) describes a procedure for compensating for such distortions and geometric misalignment.

[0018] In particular, it has been shown that interpolation for this compensation can be performed particularly efficiently if the intensity distribution of the blurred image at the detection unit is Gaussian. This can also be referred to as "Gaussian blur." However, a common method for achieving this Gaussian blur results in an angular expansion of the intensity at the detection unit, causing light to strike the detector with an incident angle distribution. Detectors are typically used with color filters to separate ambient light into its spectral components, and the spectral sensitivity may vary with the incident angle. Since color filters are generally sensitive to the incident angle in terms of transmittance, the spectral distribution at the detector may exhibit variations.

[0019] The optical system described herein utilizes the concept of using a diffuser in front of the aperture on the incident side of the optical element, wherein the optical element is configured to image the field of view onto the detection plane of the detector. By using the diffuser, Gaussian blurring can be achieved at the detection plane, i.e., the intensity distribution of the imaged field of view is Gaussian. Simultaneously, the aperture allows for blocking wide-angle extensions that may occur due to scattering in the diffuser. Therefore, Gaussian blurring can be achieved, which is advantageous for compensating for the distortions and geometric misalignments described above. At the same time, a relatively narrow distribution of the incident angle can be achieved at the detection plane. Thus, spectral variations caused by the transmittance variation of the color filter used near the detection plane to achieve spectral separation of the light in the field of view can be kept relatively low. Furthermore, interference ripples that may appear in the passivation layer of the detector and are sensitive to the incident angle at the detector can remain substantially the same across all fields of view. This allows these interference ripples to be compensated for as systematic errors.

[0020] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the diffuser element is in direct contact with the aperture. For example, the diffuser element is formed at least partially with the aperture and / or optical element. Alternatively, the aperture may comprise an adhesive or the like and be disposed directly on the incident side of the aperture and / or optical element.

[0021] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, a diffuser element is arranged at a distance from the aperture. For example, the optical system is arranged in a housing. In this case, the housing may include an opening through which light from at least one field of view enters the housing. In particular, the diffuser element may be arranged within the opening. Advantageously, this makes the arrangement of the diffuser element particularly easy and therefore cost-effective. Furthermore, by arranging the diffuser element at a distance from the aperture, the diffuser element can be easily replaced with different diffuser elements having other scattering characteristics, for example, in cases where the application of the optical sensor changes.

[0022] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the optical element includes a telecentric optical lens, particularly a telecentric optical microlens. By using microlenses, a particularly small optical system can be formed. By using telecentric lenses, the influence of the field of view size and / or the angle of incidence of light at the incident side of the optical element can be reduced.

[0023] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, at least one interference filter is arranged between the optical element and the detection plane. For example, the interference filter acts as a color filter. That is, the interference filter can be an optical bandpass filter because it is transmissive only to a specific wavelength range or a specific wavelength. In particular, by using such an interference filter, a monochromatic image of the field of view is imaged at the detection plane.

[0024] An interference filter comprises, for example, multiple dielectric layers with different refractive indices stacked on top of each other. Preferably, the interference filter comprises multiple layer pairs with alternating stacked first and second dielectric layers. The material of the dielectric layers can depend on the wavelength range transmitted by the interference filter. Examples of suitable dielectric layer materials include SiO2, SiN, Al2O3, TiO2, or comparable dielectric materials.

[0025] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the detector includes multiple detector regions. In particular, each detector region is associated with a different field of view. Preferably, the detector regions are formed in a detector plane. For example, the detector regions form pixels of the detector.

[0026] In particular, the optical elements are configured to image each field of view onto a detector region associated with it in the detection plane. By forming multiple detector regions, the total field of view of the optical system can be divided into multiple fields of view. For example, this enables more accurate detection of ambient light conditions determined by multiple light sources, or detection in situations where ambient light conditions are dynamically changing. In particular, the ambient light gradient can be obtained.

[0027] For example, all detector regions may have the same dimensions. That is, all detector regions in the detection plane may have the same dimensions. Alternatively, the detector regions may differ in size. For example, this may be advantageous if the corresponding fields of view also have different dimensions. The detector regions may have rectangular, and in particular quadratic curve, profiles relative to the detection plane. Alternatively or additionally, at least some detector regions may have different profiles, such as the profile of a circuit, a ring, a circular segment, or a loop segment.

[0028] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, each detector region comprises multiple sub-regions. Specifically, a blurred image of each field of view is generated in the detection plane such that at least some of the multiple sub-regions are illuminated by light from the associated field of view. For example, each detector region may comprise 4, 9, or 12 sub-regions. Preferably, the light of a particular field of view is broadened or blurred such that at least 3 sub-regions in the corresponding detector region are illuminated by light from the corresponding field of view. This is particularly advantageous if the optical system performs Gaussian blur. In this case, distortion or geometric misalignment can be compensated for by interpellation, because the Gaussian blur can be accurately calculated by fitting using information from at least the cost sub-regions. Further details regarding such interpellation are described in document WO 2023 / 117468 A1.

[0029] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the angular scattering pattern of the diffuser element is more directional than the Lambertian scattering pattern, especially as seen in an angular polar diagram. Such a diffuser element is also referred to as a so-called slight diffuser. In particular, the light exiting the diffuser element has a narrower angular distribution than, for example, a comparable Lambertian diffuser with the same geometry. In other words, the light exiting the diffuser element is more directional than the light exiting a comparable Lambertian diffuser. This narrow angular scattering pattern of the diffuser element allows for Gaussian blurring at the detection plane, where the angular spread can be relatively small. Therefore, the aperture blocks only a relatively small amount of light exiting the diffuser element, resulting in a higher intensity image of the field of view at the detection plane.

[0030] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the diffuser element includes frosted glass and / or ground glass.

[0031] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the diffuser element comprises a matrix material filled with microstructures. For example, the matrix material is epoxy resin. In particular, the matrix material is a so-called optical mold. For example, the matrix material is transparent to visible radiation and / or light to be detected by the detector. Preferably, light from the field of view interacts only minimally with the matrix material when entering the diffuser element and is scattered at the microstructures. That is, the scattering characteristics of the diffuser element can be adjusted by changing the size and / or number of microstructures in the matrix material.

[0032] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the diffuser element includes microstructures on the side facing the optical element. These microstructures may have different refractive indices, causing light to scatter within the diffuser element.

[0033] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the diffuser element includes a diffuser foil. The diffuser foil may also include an adhesive and may be directly bonded to the aperture and / or incident side of the optical element.

[0034] According to at least one embodiment of the optical system, the diffuser element comprises a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal. For example, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal comprises liquid crystal molecules dissolved in a polymer. A voltage can be applied to the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal. When a voltage is applied to the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal, the liquid crystal molecules can align such that incident light can pass through the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal. If the voltage is turned off, i.e., no voltage is applied to the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal, the liquid crystal molecules may be randomly oriented and the incident light is scattered. Therefore, controlled switching of the diffuser element is achieved using a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal.

[0035] Furthermore, a multispectral optical sensor is described. In particular, the multispectral optical sensor includes at least one optical system, preferably including multiple optical systems described herein. That is, all features disclosed for the optical system are also disclosed for the multispectral optical sensor, and vice versa.

[0036] According to at least one embodiment, the multispectral optical sensor includes a plurality of optical systems described herein, wherein each optical system includes a color filter that transmits light of a specific color. For example, each of the color filters is formed by an interference filter. In particular, different color filters are transmissive to different wavelength ranges. For example, the wavelength ranges are different. Alternatively, at least some wavelength ranges may overlap with each other.

[0037] In particular, each optical system forms a color channel for a multispectral optical sensor. In other words, light from at least one field of view is separated into different colors, i.e., into spectral components, via color filters. Preferably, each detector in each optical system detects a monochromatic image of one or more fields of view imaged by the optical element onto a corresponding detection plane. This enables spectral analysis of ambient light in each field of view.

[0038] According to at least one embodiment of a multispectral optical sensor, multiple optical elements form a microlens array. For example, multiple optical elements of multiple optical systems are disposed in an optical composite. Preferably, the optical composite is a microlens array.

[0039] According to at least one embodiment of the multispectral optical sensor, a detector comprising multiple elements is formed as a single unit. For example, the detector (optionally each detector including multiple detector regions and / or sub-regions) is formed from a semiconductor chip. Preferably, the semiconductor chip is disposed on a carrier for electrical contact with the detector, such as a printed circuit board. A control unit may also be disposed on or within the carrier, through which the detector is powered and operated. The control unit may be a microcontroller or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0040] Furthermore, an electric actuator is specified. This electric actuator specifically includes the multispectral optical sensor described herein. That is, all features disclosed for the multispectral optical sensor are also disclosed for the electric actuator, and vice versa.

[0041] According to at least one embodiment, the motorized device includes a camera and a multispectral optical sensor. The camera is configured to capture a scene. The multispectral optical sensor is configured to capture ambient light conditions in the scene. In particular, the size of the scene is smaller than the combined field of view of the multispectral optical sensor. The size of the scene and field of view of the multispectral optical sensor is obtained, for example, in an object space that includes the scene to be captured by the camera. By adjusting the field of view of the multispectral optical sensor to be larger than the scene captured by the camera, the ambient light conditions in the scene can be accurately obtained.

[0042] The electric device can be a mobile phone, digital camera, laptop, tablet computer, etc.

[0043] According to at least one embodiment of the electric actuator, the actuator further includes a computing unit configured to adapt the colors of a captured photographic image of a scene based on ambient light conditions captured by a multispectral optical sensor. That is, the colors of a photographic image of a scene captured by a camera can be improved using information about the ambient light conditions obtained by the multispectral optical sensor. For example, the influence of the ambient light spectrum on the colors of the captured photographic image can be compensated for by the computing unit. This allows for more realistic color representation in the captured scene. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the optical system, multispectral optical sensor, and motor, as well as further improvements, will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments illustrated in conjunction with the schematic diagrams. Identical elements, similar elements, or elements having the same effect are provided with the same reference numerals in the drawings. The scale of the drawings and the elements shown should not be considered as drawn to scale. Rather, individual elements may be exaggerated for better presentation and / or for better understanding.

[0045] In the attached diagram: Figures 1 to 3 An optical system described herein according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in schematic cross-sectional view.

[0046] Figure 4 A polar plot is shown, which illustrates the angular scattering pattern of the diffuse element used in the optical system described herein.

[0047] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of the multispectral optical sensor described herein according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0048] Figure 6 An electric device according to an exemplary embodiment described herein is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0049] according to Figure 1 The optical system 1 includes an optical element 4 having a field of view 100 between a diffuser element 2 and a detector 3. For example, the detector 3 is a CMOS detector or a CCD detector. The optical element 4 is configured to image the field of view onto a detection plane 30 of the detector 3. The detection plane 30 is arranged in the focal plane of the optical element 4. The optical element 4 is a telecentric lens and therefore includes two optical members 43 and 44. The exit side 42 of the optical element 4 faces the detection plane. An aperture 5 is arranged on the incident side 41 of the optical element 4, opposite the exit side 42. The aperture 5 is preferably arranged directly on the incident side 41.

[0050] A diffuser element 2 is arranged at aperture 5. For example, diffuser element 2 is in direct contact with aperture 5. For example, diffuser element 2 includes frosted glass or ground glass. Diffuser element 2 is configured to scatter light from field of view 100, such that a blurred image 91 of the field of view is generated in detector plane 30. In particular, objects in field of view 100 appear as defocused images at detector plane 30, even though detector plane 30 is arranged at the focal plane of optical element 4. Due to scattering in diffuser element 2, objects, and especially the entire field of view 100, may appear blurred in detector plane 30. Blurred image 91 includes, for example, Figure 1 The Gaussian intensity distribution is shown. In other words, the blurring applied by the diffuser element 2 is Gaussian blurring. If the optical system 1 is used in a multispectral optical sensor, it is advantageous to apply Gaussian blurring to the diffuser element 2.

[0051] Aperture 5 is configured to block wide-angle spread that may occur due to scattering in the diffuser element 2. In particular, this means that the blur ratio is limited to a certain area of ​​the detection plane 30.

[0052] Figure 2The optical system 1 is shown to have multiple fields of view 101 to 105. For example, the optical system 1 includes a total field of view, and the individual fields of view 101 to 105 form segments of the total field of view. Figure 1 In comparison, based on Figure 2 In the optical system 1, the detector 3 includes multiple detector regions 31 to 35. Detector regions 31 to 35 are arranged adjacent to each other in the detection plane 30. Optical elements 4 are configured to image each field of view 101 to 105 onto the corresponding detector region 31 to 35. Figure 2 As shown, in each detector region 31 to 35, blurred images 91 to 91 of each corresponding field of view 101 to 105 are imaged.

[0053] An interference filter 6 is arranged between the optical element 4 and the detection plane 30. The interference filter 6 is formed as an optical bandpass filter, which is transparent to a specific wavelength range. For example, the interference filter 6 is a color filter, allowing the detector 3 to detect a monochromatic image.

[0054] Aperture 5 blocks a wide angle of the scattering pattern from the diffuser element 2, preventing crosstalk between detector regions 31 and 35. Furthermore, since the scattering pattern from the diffuser element is broadened into a single block through aperture 5, light from all fields of view 101 to 105 is incident on the interference filter 6 at substantially similar or identical angles. In other words, spectral variations caused by different incident angles at the interference filter 6 can be reduced or eliminated.

[0055] In other respects, Figure 2 Exemplary implementations include those based on Figure 1 It has the same features, functionality and effects as the exemplary implementation.

[0056] and Figure 2 Unlike the exemplary implementation methods, in accordance with Figure 3 In an exemplary embodiment, the diffuser element 2 is arranged at a certain distance from the aperture 5. For example, the diffuser element 2 is arranged at the housing (i.e., the opening of the housing), in which the optical system 1 is arranged.

[0057] Figure 4 As shown, the angular scattering pattern 71 of the diffuser element 2 is more directional than the Lambertian scattering pattern 71, especially in the angular polar coordinate diagram. The diffuser element 2, in particular, combines... Figures 1 to 3 The diffuser element 2 is shown in the diagram. That is, the light leaving diffuser element 2 has a narrower angular distribution than that of a comparable Lambertian diffuser. In other words, the light leaving diffuser element 2 is more directional than the light leaving a comparable Lambertian diffuser. This narrow-angle scattering pattern of diffuser element 2 allows for the generation of Gaussian blur at the detection plane 30, where the angular spread can be relatively small.

[0058] Figure 5 A multispectral optical sensor 10 comprising multiple color channels 81 to 84 is shown. Each of the color channels 81 to 84 includes multiple detector regions 31 to 35 and corresponding color filters 61 to 64. Each of the color filters 61 to 64 is configured as an interference bandpass filter, transmitting different wavelength ranges. The wavelength ranges may be different or partially overlapping.

[0059] The optical sensor 10 also includes multiple optical systems 1, such as those combined with Figure 2 As described. That is, each of the optical systems 1 includes an optical element 4 configured to image multiple fields of view 101 to 105 onto corresponding detection areas 31 to 35. Each of the optical systems 1 also includes an aperture 5 and a diffuser element 2 disposed directly at the aperture 5.

[0060] Multiple optical elements 4 are formed as a microlens array. That is, multiple optical elements 4 are arranged in the composite.

[0061] Multiple diffuser elements 2 are formed as a single unit. For example, the composite of diffuser elements 2 is frosted glass or ground glass.

[0062] During operation, light from multiple fields of view 101 to 105 is captured by the multispectral optical sensor 10. Each field of view 101 to 105 is imaged in the detection plane 30 through each optical element 4. Before the light from fields of view 101 to 105 reaches the detector regions 31 to 35 of each color channel 81 to 82, the light is filtered by color filters 61 to 64, such that in each color channel 81 to 84, the monochromatic image of each field of view 101 to 105 is detected by the corresponding detector region 31 to 35. That is, the light from fields of view 101 to 105 (which may be segments of the total field of view of the multispectral optical sensor 10) is separated in spectral components by color filters 61 to 64 and captured in a spatially resolved manner by the detection regions 31 to 35 of each color channel 81 to 84. Therefore, the multispectral optical sensor 10 can capture spectral information of the ambient light conditions in each field of view 101 to 105.

[0063] Detector regions 31 to 35 of each color channel 81 to 84 can be formed as part of a common semiconductor chip forming detector 3. Detector 3 is disposed on carrier 7, which can be a printed circuit board or the like, through which detector 3 can be contacted, operated and read out.

[0064] Figure 6 The arrangement of the motorized device 11 and fields of view 101 to 109, and scene 13 are shown. The motorized device 11 includes a camera 12 and a multispectral optical sensor 10, for example, combined with... Figure 5As described, scene 13 is captured as a photographic image by camera 12. Fields of view 101 to 105 cover a space larger than scene 13 in the object plane. Multispectral optical sensor 10 is configured to measure the ambient light conditions of scene 13. Therefore, it is advantageous that the fields of view 101 to 105 cover a space larger than scene 13, making it possible to accurately measure the ambient light conditions.

[0065] The electric device 11 also includes a computing unit configured to adapt the colors of the photographic image based on the ambient light conditions captured by the multispectral optical sensor 10. Specifically, the influence of the ambient light spectrum on the colors of the photographic image can be compensated for by the computing unit. This allows for more realistic color representation in the photographic image.

[0066] This invention is not based on, but is not limited to, the exemplary embodiments described in the specification. Rather, this invention covers any new features and any combination of features, particularly any combination of features in the patent claims and any combination of features in the exemplary embodiments, even if the feature or combination itself is not expressly stated in the patent claims or the exemplary embodiments.

[0067] This patent application claims priority to German patent application 102023123848.5, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0068] Figure Labels

[0069] 1 Optical System

[0070] 2 Diffusing element

[0071] 3 Detectors

[0072] 4 Optical Components

[0073] 5. Aperture

[0074] 6. Interference Filter

[0075] 7. Carrier

[0076] 10 Multispectral Sensors

[0077] 11 Electric actuators

[0078] 12 camera

[0079] 13 Calculation Units

[0080] 30 Detection plane

[0081] Detector region 31...35

[0082] 41. Incident side

[0083] 42. Launching side

[0084] 43 First optical component

[0085] 44 Second optical component

[0086] 61……64 Color Filters

[0087] 70 Scattering Distribution

[0088] 71 Scattering distribution of a Lambert diffuser

[0089] 81……84 color channels

[0090] Blurred images 90, 91...95

[0091] Field of view 100, 101...109.

Claims

1. An optical system (1) for a multispectral optical sensor (10), comprising: - Diffuse element (2) - Detector (3), including detection plane (30). - An optical element (4), having an incident side (41) and an exit side (42), is arranged between the diffuser element (2) and the detector (3), and - An aperture (5) is located on the incident side (41) of the optical element (4), and this aperture is arranged between the diffuser (2) and the optical element (4), wherein, - The optical element (4) is configured to image at least one field of view (100, 101...109) onto the detection plane (30). - The detection plane (30) is arranged in the focal plane of the optical element (4). - The diffuse element (2) is configured to scatter light from the field of view (100, 101...109), such that a blurred image (90, 91...95) of the field of view (100, 101...109) is generated in the detection plane (30), and - The diffuser element (2) is in direct contact with the aperture (5).

2. The optical system (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The diffuse element (2) is arranged at a certain distance from the aperture (5).

3. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The optical element (4) includes a telecentric optical microlens.

4. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one interference filter (6) is arranged between the optical element (4) and the detection plane (30).

5. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, - The detector (3) includes multiple detector regions (31...35), and - Each detector region (31……35) is associated with a different field of view (100, 101……109).

6. The optical system (1) according to claim 5, wherein, - Each detector region (31...35) includes multiple sub-regions. - Generate the blurred image of each field of view (100, 101...109) in the detection plane (30) such that at least some of the plurality of sub-regions are illuminated by the light of the associated field of view (100, 101...108).

7. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The angular scattering pattern of the diffuse element (2) is more directional than the Lambert scattering pattern.

8. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The diffuser element (2) includes at least one of the following types of glass: frosted glass, ground glass.

9. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, - The diffuse element (2) comprises a matrix material (20) filled with microstructures, and - The matrix material is epoxy resin.

10. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The diffuse element (2) includes a microstructure on the side facing the optical element (4).

11. The optical system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The diffuse element (2) includes a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal.

12. A multispectral optical sensor (10) comprising a plurality of optical systems (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each optical system (1) includes color filters (61...64) that transmit light of a specific color.

13. The multispectral optical sensor (10) according to claim 12, wherein, Multiple optical elements (4) form a microlens array.

14. The multispectral optical sensor (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The detector (3) of the plurality of optical elements (1) is formed as a single unit.

15. An electric device (11) comprising a camera (12) and a multispectral optical sensor (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, - The camera (12) is configured to capture photographic images of the scene (13). - The multispectral optical sensor (10) is configured to capture the ambient light conditions in the scene (13), and - The size of the scene is smaller than all the fields of view (100, 101...109) of the multispectral optical sensor (10).

16. The electric device (11) according to claim 15 further includes a computing unit configured to adapt the color of a captured photographic image of the scene (13) to the ambient light conditions captured by the multispectral optical sensor (10).

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