Image sensor system

Abstract

An optical sensor system (100) comprises a light source (110) and a concentrator component (120) proximate to the light source (110) and configured to concentrate light from the light source (110) relative to a measurement target (160). The optical sensor system (100) comprises a collection component (130) comprising an array of at least two components, the collection component configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target (160). The optical sensor system (100) comprises a sensor (150) and a filter (140) disposed between the collection component (130) and the sensor (150).

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 923,254 entitled “IMAGE SENSOR SYSTEM”, filed October 18, 2019, and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 16 / 949,157 entitled “IMAGE SENSOR SYSTEM”, filed October 15, 2020, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Sensor devices can be used to capture information for spectral analysis. For example, a sensor device can capture information related to a set of electromagnetic frequencies. A sensor device may include a group of sensor elements (e.g., optical sensors, spectral sensors, and / or image sensors) for capturing information. Some sensor devices may be installed in consumer electronics products, where size may be a constraint. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to some embodiments, an optical sensor system may include: a light source; a concentrator component, proximal to the light source and configured to concentrate light from the light source relative to a measurement target, wherein a collecting component includes an array of at least two components; a collecting component configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target; a sensor; and a filter disposed between the collecting component and the sensor.

[0005] According to some embodiments, an apparatus may include: a light source; a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) located near the light source and configured to concentrate light from the light source relative to a measurement target; and a collection component comprising an array of at least two components configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target, wherein the light is emitted via the CPC; an optical sensor; and a filter disposed between the collection component and the optical sensor.

[0006] According to some embodiments, a user equipment may include: an optical sensor system including: a light source; a compound parabolic condenser (CPC) located near the light source and configured to concentrate light from the light source relative to a measurement target; and a collection component including an array of at least two components configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target, wherein the light is emitted via the CPC; a sensor; and a filter disposed between the collection component and the sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical sensor system that includes a collection component comprising an array of compound parabolic concentrators.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating another example of an optical sensor system that includes a collection component comprising an array of compound parabolic concentrators.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical sensor system that includes a collection component comprising a microcone array.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a user equipment that includes an optical sensor system. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments is given with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. In some cases, a spectrometer is used as an example in the following description. However, the optical sensor system described herein can be used with any optical sensor, including but not limited to other optical sensors and spectral sensors.

[0012] Optical sensors can generate signals based on the light received by the sensor. In some cases, the light received by the optical sensor may be filtered. For example, filtering the light can enable the optical sensor to measure light of different wavelengths, such as in different regions of the sensor. An example of such a multispectral sensor is a binary multispectral sensor.

[0013] When light passes through the filter elements of an optical filter, the performance of the filter (such as a coated interferometer filter) can be affected by the angle of the light rays or the angle of the light conic. For purely collimated light orthogonal to the optical filter, the filter operates optimally. However, for optical sensing applications involving small distances between the sensor and the target being measured (e.g., an object, where the measurement is determined based on light reflected or transmitted from that object), collimated or slow focal angle (e.g., small aperture) conditions may be difficult to achieve. For example, some health-related sensing and reflection applications may involve such distances. In this case, the collecting element that gathers the light used for measurement can be a limiting factor for the distance between the sensor and the target. For example, the depth of the collecting element can specify the minimum distance between the sensor and the target.

[0014] Some embodiments described herein provide an optical sensor system that transforms light into collimated conditions or angular conditions lower than when the light is received, which may be advantageous for small optical sensor systems or optical systems where the sensor is located near a measurement target. For example, some embodiments described herein provide a collecting element for an optical sensor system that collects light reflected from a diffuse medium and collimates or reduces the focal angle of the light. The collecting element can use, for example, a compound parabolic condenser (CPC) array, a microcone array, a light tube array, etc. The use of arrays of CPCs, microcones, light tubes, etc., reduces the size of the collecting element and improves the collimation characteristics of the collecting element compared to using a single monolithic CPC, microcone, or light tube. Some embodiments described herein also provide configurations and components for a light source, condenser element, sensor, and filter for an optical sensor system. Therefore, by using an array-based collecting element, the size of the optical sensor system is reduced, thereby reducing the minimum spacing between the measurement target and the filter compared to using a monolithic collecting element.

[0015] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of a first optical sensor system 100 including a collecting component comprising an array of compound parabolic concentrators. As shown, the optical sensor system 100 includes a light source 110, a concentrator component 120, a collecting component 130, a filter 140, and a sensor 150. The measurement target is indicated by reference numeral 160. Furthermore, a barrier 170 may be disposed between the light source 110 and the sensor 150, which reduces interference from light not reflected from the measurement target to the sensor 150 via the filter 140 and the collecting component 130.

[0016] Light source 110 includes a device capable of generating light. For example, light source 110 may include a light-emitting diode (LED) (such as a phosphor LED). Phosphor LEDs can provide light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 1000 nm, which enables sensing of light in the near-infrared (NIR) range and can be used for silicon-based responsivity distributions. In some embodiments, light source 110 may include multiple LEDs. In this case, a first LED among the multiple LEDs may be associated with a different spectral range than a second LED among the multiple LEDs. This allows multiple LEDs to address a narrow spectral range, rather than using a single LED to address a wide spectral range.

[0017] In some embodiments, the light source 110 may include a modulated LED. For example, the light source 110 may include a single modulated LED or multiple modulated LEDs. When the light source 110 includes one or more modulated LEDs, the first optical sensor system 100 or a device associated with the first optical sensor system 100 may modulate the power supply of the light source 110. Using a modulated LED allows the LED to be driven to a higher power than a continuous-wave LED. Furthermore, modulation can improve the signal-to-noise ratio characteristics of sensing performed using light from the modulated LED.

[0018] Concentrator component 120 may include, for example, a concentrator, such as a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC). Concentrator component 120 can direct light emitted by light source 110 towards measurement target 160. Concentrator component 120 may be close to light source 110 (e.g., attached to light source 110, closer to light source 110 than collecting component 130, configured to receive light from light source 110, etc.). In some embodiments, concentrator component 120 can redirect or concentrate luminous flux from light source 110 onto measurement target 160. In some embodiments, concentrator component 120 may include a solid CPC with an external coating. In some embodiments, concentrator component 120 may include a hollow CPC with an internal coating (e.g., a metallic coating, a dielectric coating, etc.). In some embodiments, concentrator component 120 may have a rectangular conical geometry. In some embodiments, concentrator component 120 may have a geometry different from a rectangular conical geometry (e.g., cylindrical, conical, rectangular, etc.).

[0019] The collecting component 130 includes a device for guiding light reflected from the measurement target 160 to the filter 140. For example, the collecting component 130 may be configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target 160. In some embodiments, the collecting component 130 may include an array of components, such as a CPC array (e.g., Figure 1 and 2 As shown), microcone array (such as) Figure 3 As shown), optical tube array ( Figures 1 to 3 (not shown in the image). Compared to using a monolithic collection component 130 such as a single CPC or a single microcone, using an array of components can reduce the minimum gap 180 between the filter 140 and the measurement target 160. Therefore, the size of the first optical sensor system 100 is reduced, making it possible to deploy it in user equipment or any device with size constraints.

[0020] In some embodiments, the collecting component 130 may include an array of light tubes. For example, the collecting component 130 may include multiple collimating holes, capillary optics, etc. In this case, the collecting component 130 can absorb or remove high-angle light before it reaches the filter 140. The light tube-based collecting component 130 may be cheaper and easier to manufacture than the CPC-based or microcone-based collecting component 130.

[0021] In some embodiments, the collecting component 130 may include a two-dimensional array of CPCs, referred to as a CPC array. For example, the collecting component may include an NxN CPC array, where N is an integer. A larger N value can reduce the minimum gap 180, while a smaller N value may be easier to construct or manufacture. In the first optical sensor system 100, N equals 2. The smaller aperture of the CPC can face the measurement target 160, and the larger aperture of the CPC can face the filter 140. Light can enter each CPC and reflect between the inner walls of the CPC. This reflection of light along the varying curvature of the surface can convert higher-angle light rays into lower-angle light rays that are more optimized for processing by the filter 140. In some embodiments, an NxN CPC array can reduce the focal length of the light incident on the filter 140 to approximately f / 3.3 or less.

[0022] In some embodiments, the collecting component 130 may include a microcone array. The microcone array is combined with... Figure 3 To describe in more detail.

[0023] Filter 140 includes spectral filters, multispectral filters, bandpass filters, blocking filters, long-pass filters, short-pass filters, dichroic filters, linear variable filters (LVF), circular variable filters (CVF), Fabry-Perot filters, Bayer filters, etc. Filter 140 can transmit light of one or more wavelengths for sensing by sensor 150. In some embodiments, filter 140 may include multiple different filters configured to transmit corresponding spectral ranges to sensor 150. For example, filter 140 may include binary filters, such as binary multispectral filters.

[0024] Sensor 150 includes a device capable of measuring light directed toward sensor 150 (e.g., via filter 140 and / or collection member 130), such as an optical sensor, spectral sensor, image sensor, etc. Sensor 150 may utilize one or more sensor technologies, such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, charge-coupled device (CCD) technology, etc. In some embodiments, sensor 150 may include a plurality of sensor elements (e.g., an array of sensor elements—referred to as a sensor array), each configured to acquire information. For example, the sensor elements may provide an indication of the intensity of light incident on the sensor element (e.g., valid / invalid or more fine-grained intensity indication).

[0025] In some embodiments, the optical sensor system 100 may have a thickness of 190. In some embodiments, the thickness 190 may be measured between an end of the collecting member 130 or the concentrator member 120 (e.g., the end of the collecting member 130 or the concentrator member 120 away from the light source 110 or the filter 140) and a substrate 195 (e.g., a surface of the substrate 195 adjacent to the sensor 150 or the light source 110, or a surface of the substrate 195 opposite to the sensor 150 or the light source 110). In some embodiments, the thickness 190 may be less than 3 mm. For example, in near-infrared sensing applications, health parameter sensing applications, etc., the thickness 190 may be less than 3 mm. As described elsewhere herein, using a collecting member 130 that includes an array of components (e.g., CPC, light cone, light tube, etc.) can achieve a smaller thickness 190 than a collecting member using a single monolithic component. In some embodiments, the thickness 190 may be greater than or equal to 3 mm (e.g., depending on the application). In some implementations, the thickness 190 may be less than the thickness of the optical sensor system, which includes a collection component utilizing a single monolithic element.

[0026] As indicated above, Figure 1 Provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those provided. Figure 1 As described.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating another example 200 of a first optical sensor system 100 including a collecting component comprising an array of compound parabolic concentrators. Example 200 shows an isometric view of the first optical sensor system 100. As indicated by reference numeral 210, the collecting component 130 comprises a 2x2 array of CPCs in the first optical sensor system 100.

[0028] As indicated above, Figure 2 Provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those provided. Figure 2 As described.

[0029] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates an example of a second optical sensor system 300 including a collection component comprising a microcone array. A light source 110, a condenser component 120, a filter 140, and a sensor 150 are combined. Figure 1 and 2 To describe in more detail.

[0030] As indicated by reference numeral 310, in some embodiments, the collecting component 130 may include multiple light cones (e.g., microcones, tapered optical fibers, etc.). A light cone is a waveguide with an inlet aperture smaller than its outlet aperture. In some embodiments, the relationship between the inlet and outlet aperture sizes may be linear. For example, the line connecting the inlet and outlet apertures (e.g., forming the boundary of the light cone) may be linear. In some embodiments, the collecting component 130 may include an MxN array of components (e.g., light cones, CPCs, optical tubes, collimating apertures), where M and N are integers greater than zero, and at least one of M or N is greater than 1. Larger M or N values ​​(e.g., more components) can reduce the minimum gap between the filter 140 and the measurement target 160 and thus reduce the thickness 190, while smaller M or N values ​​(e.g., fewer components) may be easier to construct or manufacture. In some embodiments, multiple light cones may be manufactured using injection molding processes, coating processes (e.g., electroforming processes, electroplating gold, etc.). Thus, multiple light cones may have a coating, such as a gold coating, and may form a gold-coated light cone array. Compared to other forms of collecting components 130, the use of a light cone for collecting component 130 can provide more uniform light to filter 140 and can simplify mass production.

[0031] As indicated by reference numeral 320, in some embodiments, the collecting component 130 may be spaced apart from the filter 140. For example, if the collecting component 130 is directly attached to the filter 140, some areas of the filter 140 and the sensor 150 (such as those indicated by reference numeral 330) may not receive light. By separating the collecting component 130 from the filter 140, the areas of the filter 140 that do not receive light can be eliminated or reduced in size, thereby increasing the number of pixels that the sensor 150 can use for sensing.

[0032] As indicated above, Figure 3 Provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those provided. Figure 3 As described.

[0033] Figure 4This diagram illustrates an example 400 of a user equipment 410 that may include an optical sensor system 100 / 300. For example, the user equipment 410 may include communication and / or computing devices such as mobile phones (e.g., smartphones, cordless phones, etc.), laptop computers, tablet computers, handheld computers, desktop computers, gaming devices, wearable communication devices (e.g., smartwatches, a pair of smart glasses, etc.), spectrometers, or similar types of devices. By reducing the size of the optical sensor system 100 / 300, the optical sensor system 100 / 300 can be implemented in a smaller user equipment 410, or can have a smaller footprint within the user equipment 410 than the optical sensor system 100 / 300 associated with a monolithic collection component.

[0034] As indicated above, Figure 4 Provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those provided. Figure 4 As described.

[0035] The foregoing disclosure provides illustrations and descriptions, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made based on the foregoing disclosure, or may be derived from practice of the embodiments.

[0036] Even though specific combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the various embodiments. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of the various embodiments includes each dependent claim combined with each other claim in the group of claims.

[0037] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the elements, actions, or instructions used herein should not be construed as critical or necessary. Furthermore, as used herein, the articles “a” and “one” are intended to include one or more items and are interchangeable with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in conjunction with the article “the” and is interchangeable with “one or more.” Additionally, as used herein, the term “group” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, etc.) and is interchangeable with “one or more.” In cases involving only one item, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Moreover, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” etc., are intended as open-ended terms. Further, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on.” Moreover, as used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated (e.g., if used in combination with “any one” or “only one of…”), the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or”.

Claims

1. An optical sensor system, comprising: light source; A concentrator component is configured to focus light from the light source relative to a measurement target; A collecting component is configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target, wherein the collecting component comprises an array of at least two components having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, the inlet aperture having a smaller size than the outlet aperture; The concentrator component is configured according to one or more of the following: Attached to the light source, or Closer to the light source than the collecting component; and The concentrator component has a rectangular conical geometry; sensor; as well as A filter is disposed between the collecting component and the sensor; The array of at least two components of the collecting component is configured to reduce the focal length of the light incident on the filter to f / 3.3 or less.

2. The optical sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the collecting component includes a plurality of collimating holes.

3. The optical sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the array comprises an optical cone array.

4. The optical sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the array comprises an optical tube array.

5. The optical sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a phosphor light-emitting diode (LED).

6. The optical sensor system of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to emit light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 1000 nm.

7. The optical sensor system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein a first LED among the plurality of LEDs is associated with a different spectral range compared to the spectral range of a second LED among the plurality of LEDs.

8. The optical sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a modulated light-emitting diode.

9. The optical sensor system of claim 1, wherein the concentrator component comprises a composite parabolic concentrator array.

10. The optical sensor system according to claim 9, wherein the composite parabolic concentrator array is a two-dimensional array.

11. An apparatus comprising: light source; A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is located near the light source and configured to concentrate light from the light source relative to a measurement target. A collecting component comprising an array of at least two components having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, the inlet aperture having a smaller size than the outlet aperture, the collecting component being configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target, wherein the light is emitted via the CPC; Optical sensors; and A filter is disposed between the collecting component and the optical sensor; The array of at least two components of the collecting component is configured to reduce the focal length of the light incident on the filter to f / 3.3 or less.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the CPC is a solid composite parabolic concentrator CPC with an external coating.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the CPC is a hollow composite parabolic concentrator CPC having an internal metal coating or an internal dielectric coating.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the collecting component comprises a two-dimensional array of optical tubes.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the filter is spaced apart from the collecting component.

16. A user equipment, comprising: Optical sensor systems, including: light source; A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is configured to focus light from the light source relative to a measurement target; and An array of at least two components, having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, is configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measurement target, wherein the inlet aperture has a smaller size than the outlet aperture. The light is emitted via the CPC, and The CPC is configured according to one or more of the following: Attached to the light source, or Closer to the light source than the array; The array of at least two components of the collecting component is configured to reduce the focal length of the emitted light to f / 3.3 or less.

17. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the array comprises a gold-coated light cone array.

18. The user equipment according to claim 16, further comprising: sensor; and A filter is disposed between the array and the sensor, wherein the filter is spaced apart from the array.

19. The user equipment according to claim 16, further comprising: sensor, The array includes another composite parabolic concentrator, and The aperture of the other composite parabolic concentrator is close to that of the sensor.

20. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the CPC is closer to the light source than the array.

21. An optical sensor system, comprising: light source; A concentrator component is configured to direct light from the light source toward the measurement target; A collecting component having at least two parts, an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, is configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measuring target, wherein the inlet aperture has a smaller size than the outlet aperture. The light source is separated from the collecting component; and The concentrator component is closer to the light source than the collecting component; barrier, The collecting component comprises an array of components and is located on the first side of the barrier; The concentrator component is located on the second side of the barrier; and sensor.

22. The optical sensor system according to claim 21, further comprising: A filter is located between the collecting component and the sensor.

23. The optical sensor system of claim 21, wherein the condenser component is attached to the light source.

24. The optical sensor system of claim 21, wherein the collecting component comprises a composite parabolic concentrator (CPC) array.

25. The optical sensor system of claim 21, wherein the collecting component comprises one or more of the following: Light cone array, or Optical tube array.

26. The optical sensor system of claim 21, wherein the concentrator component comprises a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC).

27. The optical sensor system of claim 26, wherein the CPC is a solid CPC with an external coating.

28. The optical sensor system of claim 26, wherein the CPC is a hollow CPC with an internal coating, and The internal coating may include one or more of a metallic coating or a dielectric coating.

29. The optical sensor system according to claim 21, further comprising: A barrier between the light source and the sensor.

30. The optical sensor system of claim 21, wherein the light source is located on the second side of the barrier.

31. The optical sensor system according to claim 21, further comprising: Substrate, The light source is located between the substrate and the concentrator component, and The sensor is located between the substrate and the collection component.

32. The optical sensor system of claim 21, wherein the sensor is located on the first side of the barrier.

33. A system comprising: light source; Concentrator components; as well as The collection component includes a composite parabolic concentrator (CPC) array, wherein the inlet aperture of the CPC has a smaller size than the outlet aperture of the CPC. The light source is separated from the CPC array; and The concentrator component is closer to the light source than the CPC array; and barrier, The collecting component comprises an array of components and is located on the first side of the barrier; The concentrator component is located on the second side of the barrier.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the CPC array is a two-dimensional array of CPCs.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the concentrator component is configured to direct light from the light source toward the measurement target.

36. A user equipment, comprising: Optical sensor systems, including: light source; A concentrator component is configured to direct light from the light source toward a measurement target; and A collecting component having at least two parts, an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, is configured to receive light reflected or transmitted from the measuring target, wherein the inlet aperture has a smaller size than the outlet aperture. The light source is separated from the collecting component; and The concentrator component is closer to the light source than the collecting component; and barrier, The collecting component comprises an array of components and is located on the first side of the barrier; The concentrator component is located on the second side of the barrier.

37. The user equipment of claim 36, wherein the concentrator component is attached to the light source.

38. The user equipment of claim 36, wherein the collecting component comprises a two-dimensional array of composite parabolic concentrators (CPCs).

39. The user equipment of claim 36, wherein the optical sensor system further comprises: A barrier between the concentrator component and the collecting component.

40. The user equipment of claim 36, wherein the optical sensor system further comprises: sensor; as well as A filter is placed between the sensor and the collecting component.

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