Polarized image sensor and camera

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a polarized image sensor and a camera device, which are used for controlling the bias voltage on the guest-host effect box, so that when the guest-host effect box realizes the function of a polarizer, the polarized image sensor can sense polarized light of a specific polarization direction to obtain an electric signal used for generating polarization information; and so that when the guest-host effect box realizes the function of a white glass, the polarized image sensor can sense natural light to obtain an electric signal used for generating non-polarization information. Therefore, the polarized image sensor provided by the present application can be used in a scene of shooting a polarized image and a scene of shooting a common image. Of course, the camera device configured with the polarized image sensor provided by the present application can generate both a polarized image and a non-polarized image (for example, a common high-definition image).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of image sensors, and more particularly to a polarization image sensor and a camera device. Background Technology

[0002] Polarization is a property of light, referring to the asymmetry between the direction of light vibration and its direction of propagation. Generally, light exhibiting polarization is called polarized light, and polarized light emitted or reflected by an object can carry information about that object. Therefore, a polarization image sensor can record this polarized light to obtain an electrical signal used to generate polarization information, and then use this electrical signal to generate a polarized image carrying that polarization information. This polarization image is often used to detect material stress and deformation, enhance image contrast, and remove reflections.

[0003] Generally, polarization image sensors consist of a fixed polarizer and a photoelectric sensing layer. Since the polarizer cannot be changed, the photoelectric sensing layer in such sensors can only sense polarized light with a specific polarization direction in the incident light, and cannot sense light signals with other polarization states or unpolarized light signals. Therefore, current polarization image sensors can only be used for capturing polarized images, and cannot be directly used for capturing ordinary images. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a polarization image sensor and a camera device. By controlling the bias voltage on the guest-host effect cell, the polarization image sensor can sense polarized light in a specific polarization direction to obtain an electrical signal for generating polarization information when the guest-host effect cell functions as a polarizer; and can sense natural light to obtain an electrical signal for generating non-polarized information when the guest-host effect cell functions as a clear glass slide. Therefore, the polarization image sensor proposed in this application can be used in both scenarios involving polarized images and ordinary images. Of course, a camera device equipped with the polarization image sensor of this application can generate both polarized and non-polarized images (e.g., ordinary high-definition images).

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a polarization image sensor, mainly comprising: a control circuit, a guest-host effect cell, and a photoelectric sensing layer. The guest-host effect cell is located on the photosensitive side of the photoelectric sensing layer, and the alignment layer of the guest-host effect cell is arranged parallel to the photoelectric sensing layer. The control circuit is connected to two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell. Furthermore, the guest-host effect cell includes liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules, the long axis orientation of which is determined by the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.

[0006] Specifically, the control circuit controls the long-axis orientation of liquid crystal molecules by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, thereby controlling the long-axis orientation of dichroic dye molecules. In other words, under the control of this circuit, the liquid crystal molecules in the guest-host effect cell can deflect, which in turn causes the dichroic dye molecules to deflect. Thus, at one moment, the arrangement of the dichroic dye molecules allows the guest-host effect cell to function as a polarizer, and at another moment, it allows it to function as a clear glass slide.

[0007] Furthermore, this guest-host effect cell is used to receive incident light signals and output outgoing light signals, wherein the outgoing light signals are light signals determined based on the polarization state in the incident light signal and the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules. When the aforementioned guest-host effect cell functions as a polarizer under the control of the control circuit, the aforementioned outgoing light signal is a polarized light signal; or, when the aforementioned guest-host effect cell functions as a white glass slide under the control of the control circuit, the aforementioned outgoing light signal is an unpolarized light signal.

[0008] Furthermore, the photoelectric sensing layer is used to sense the polarized light signal and generate a first electrical signal, which is used to generate polarization information and a polarized image; or, the photoelectric sensing layer is used to sense the unpolarized light signal and generate a second electrical signal, which is used to generate non-polarized information and a non-polarized image.

[0009] In this embodiment, by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, the liquid crystal molecules within the cell drive the dichroic dye molecules to deflect, enabling the guest-host effect cell to function as a polarizer or a clear glass plate. This allows the polarization image sensor composed of the aforementioned guest-host effect cells to obtain electrical signals for generating polarization information in polarization mode and electrical signals for generating non-polarization information in non-polarization mode. Consequently, the imaging device using the polarization image sensor proposed in this application can output not only polarized images but also high-definition non-polarized images. In contrast, conventional polarization image sensors use fixed polarizers, which cannot be changed and can only perform the function of a polarizer. Therefore, conventional polarization image sensors cannot directly sense natural light to generate ordinary images.

[0010] In one optional embodiment, the dichroic dye molecules in the aforementioned guest-host effect cell are positive dichroic dye molecules. The spatial relationship between the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules and the photosensitive layer is used to determine whether the guest-host effect cell outputs a polarized light signal or an unpolarized light signal. Alternatively, the spatial relationship between the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules and the photosensitive layer is used to determine whether the guest-host effect cell performs a polarization function. Specifically, when the guest-host effect cell performs a polarization function, it outputs a polarized light signal; when it performs a non-polarization function (in this application, this refers to not polarizing or filtering the incident light signal), it outputs an unpolarized light signal.

[0011] Because dichroic dye molecules allow polarized light components whose polarization direction is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule to pass through, and dichroic dye molecules absorb polarized light components whose polarization direction is parallel to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule. Therefore, when the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule is parallel to the photosensitive layer, or when the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule tends to be parallel to the photosensitive layer, the polarized light component with a polarization direction perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule can just pass through the guest-host effect box. At this time, the guest-host effect box realizes the polarization function (i.e., the function of a polarizer). When the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule is perpendicular to the photosensitive layer, or when the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule tends to be perpendicular to the photosensitive layer, the polarization direction of all polarized light in the incident light signal is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule. In other words, the entire incident light signal can pass through the guest-host effect box. At this time, the guest-host effect box does not realize the polarization function (i.e., the function of a white glass plate).

[0012] In one optional embodiment, when the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is parallel to the photosensitive layer, the guest-host effect cell functions as a polarizer. Specifically, the guest-host effect cell controls the polarized light component in the first polarization direction of the incident light signal to pass through the cell, resulting in the polarized light signal. The first polarization direction is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules. The photosensitive layer is specifically used to sense the polarized light signal and generate the first electrical signal. It should be noted that since the dichroic dye molecules deflect with the liquid crystal molecules, the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is also parallel to the photosensitive layer, or the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules tends to be parallel to the photosensitive layer.

[0013] In one optional embodiment, when the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is perpendicular to the photosensitive layer, the guest-host effect cell functions as a white glass slide. Specifically, the guest-host effect cell controls all incident light signals to pass through it, resulting in the unpolarized light signal. The photosensitive layer is specifically used to sense the unpolarized light signal and generate the second electrical signal. It should be noted that since the dichroic dye molecules deflect along with the liquid crystal molecules, the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is also perpendicular to the photosensitive layer, or the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules tends to be perpendicular to the photosensitive layer.

[0014] It should also be noted that the aforementioned liquid crystal molecules can be either positive or negative. When liquid crystal molecules with different electrical properties are used to fabricate guest-host effect cells, that is, when only positive liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules are used to fill the guest-host effect cells, or when only negative liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules are used to fill the guest-host effect cells, the alignment directions of the alignment layer are different.

[0015] Specifically, if the host-guest effect cell is filled with positive liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules, the positive liquid crystal molecules will deflect along the direction of the electric field under the influence of the electric field, meaning they will deflect to a direction perpendicular to the photosensitive layer. Therefore, during the alignment process, the positive liquid crystal molecules need to be aligned to a direction close to parallel to the photosensitive layer. On one hand, without applying a bias voltage, the positive liquid crystal molecules can be made relatively parallel to the photosensitive layer under the influence of the alignment layer, thereby making the positive dichroic dye molecules also parallel to the photosensitive layer; on the other hand, when a bias voltage is applied, the positive liquid crystal molecules can smoothly deflect along the direction of the electric field, thereby making the positive dichroic dye molecules also deflect along the direction of the electric field, reaching a direction perpendicular to the photosensitive layer.

[0016] Furthermore, if the host-guest effect cell is filled with negative liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules, the negative liquid crystal molecules will deflect in a direction perpendicular to the electric field under the influence of the electric field, meaning they will deflect to a direction parallel to the photosensitive layer. Therefore, during alignment processing, the negative liquid crystal molecules need to be aligned to a direction close to perpendicular to the photosensitive layer. On one hand, without applying a bias voltage, the negative liquid crystal molecules can be made relatively perpendicular to the photosensitive layer under the influence of the alignment layer, thereby making the positive dichroic dye molecules also perpendicular to the photosensitive layer; on the other hand, when a bias voltage is applied, the negative liquid crystal molecules can smoothly deflect in a direction perpendicular to the electric field, thereby making the positive dichroic dye molecules also deflect in a direction perpendicular to the electric field, reaching a direction parallel to the photosensitive layer.

[0017] It should be understood that the electric field effect here refers to the electric field formed between the two electrodes when the control circuit applies a polarization voltage between them. Furthermore, both electrodes of the guest-host effect box are parallel to the photosensitive layer and located on the photosensitive side of the layer. For details, please refer to the following text. Figure 2A The relevant descriptions in the corresponding embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0018] In one optional embodiment, the liquid crystal molecule is a positive liquid crystal molecule, which has a first pretilt angle. The first pretilt angle is the angle between the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecule and the alignment layer in the guest-host effect cell when no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell. The value of the first pretilt angle ranges from 0° to 10°.

[0019] In another optional embodiment, the liquid crystal molecule is a negative liquid crystal molecule, which has a second pretilt angle. The second pretilt angle is the angle between the long axis orientation of the negative liquid crystal molecule and the alignment layer in the guest-host effect cell when no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell. The value of the second pretilt angle is in the range of 80° to 90°.

[0020] In one optional embodiment, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecule is parallel to the photosensitive layer when the following conditions are met: the liquid crystal molecule is a positive liquid crystal molecule, and no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell; or, the liquid crystal molecule is a negative liquid crystal molecule, and a first preset bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, so that the long axis orientation of the negative liquid crystal molecule is deflected to a direction parallel to the photosensitive layer.

[0021] In another optional embodiment, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecule is perpendicular to the photosensitive layer when the following conditions are met: the liquid crystal molecule is a positive liquid crystal molecule, and a second preset bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell so that the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecule is deflected to a direction perpendicular to the photosensitive layer.

[0022] Alternatively, the liquid crystal molecule is a negative liquid crystal molecule, and no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell.

[0023] In one optional embodiment, the alignment layer includes multiple alignment regions, the alignment directions of which are not entirely identical. These alignment directions are used to determine the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules when no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host cell. That is, among the multiple alignment regions in the aforementioned alignment layer, there may be alignment regions with the same alignment direction, or there may be two alignment regions with different alignment directions; this application does not impose any specific limitations.

[0024] In one optional embodiment, the plurality of alignment regions include a plurality of biasing regions. The projection directions of the alignment directions of the aforementioned plurality of biasing regions in the alignment layer are not entirely the same, and the liquid crystal molecules in the biasing regions can be deflected under the control of the bias voltage. That is, among the aforementioned plurality of biasing regions, there may be several biasing regions with the same projection direction (i.e., the projection direction of the alignment direction in the alignment layer), and there may also be two biasing regions with different projection directions.

[0025] In one optional implementation, the plurality of biasing regions include a first alignment region and a second alignment region, wherein the projection direction of the alignment direction of the first alignment region in the alignment layer is perpendicular to the projection direction of the alignment direction of the second alignment region in the alignment layer.

[0026] In one optional embodiment, the plurality of biasing regions further include a third alignment region and a fourth alignment region. The projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment region in the alignment layer is perpendicular to the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment region in the alignment layer. Furthermore, the projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment region in the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the first alignment region in the alignment layer by 45°, and the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment region in the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the second alignment region in the alignment layer by 45°.

[0027] In one optional implementation, the plurality of biasing regions include a fifth alignment region and a sixth alignment region, wherein the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fifth alignment region in the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the sixth alignment region in the alignment layer by 60°.

[0028] In one alternative embodiment, the photoelectric sensing layer includes a plurality of sensing units, each of which is used to sense an optical signal and generate an electrical signal; each alignment region corresponds to at least one of the sensing units on the photoelectric sensing layer.

[0029] In one alternative implementation, at least one of the sensing units generates an electrical signal used to generate a pixel in the image.

[0030] For example, in non-polarization mode, the electrical signal generated by each sensing unit can be used to generate one pixel of the image, or the electrical signals generated by multiple sensing units (e.g., electrical signals generated by four sensing units) can be used to generate one pixel of the image. The specific choice depends on the actual application requirements and is not limited here.

[0031] For example, in polarization mode, electrical signals generated by multiple sensing units are used to generate a pixel in the polarization image. Optionally, the aforementioned multiple sensing units are sensing units corresponding to at least two alignment regions. For example, if one alignment region corresponds to one sensing unit, and the alignment region includes an alignment region with a polarization direction of 90° and an alignment region with a polarization direction of 0°, then electrical signal 1 generated by the sensing unit corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 90° and electrical signal 2 generated by the sensing unit corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 0° are used together to generate a pixel in the polarization image. As another example, if one alignment region corresponds to four sensing units, and the alignment region includes an alignment region with a polarization direction of 45° and an alignment region with a polarization direction of 135°, then electrical signal 3 generated by the four sensing units corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 45° and electrical signal 4 generated by the four sensing units corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 135° are used together to generate a pixel in the polarization image. The specific method depends on the actual application requirements and is not limited here.

[0032] Secondly, this application provides a camera device, which can be a polarization imager or a common device with video or photographing functions, such as a mobile phone or camcorder. The camera device includes an image processing unit and a polarization image sensor as mentioned in any embodiment of the first aspect. The image processing unit is configured to receive a first electrical signal or a second electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor, wherein the first electrical signal is generated by the polarization image sensor sensing a polarized light signal, and the second electrical signal is generated by the polarization image sensor sensing an unpolarized light signal. The image processing unit is further configured to generate polarization information based on a correspondence and the first electrical signal, the polarization information being used to generate a polarized image, wherein the correspondence is the correspondence between the polarization direction of the emitted light signal and the sensing unit sensing the emitted light signal; or, generate non-polarization information based on the second electrical signal, the non-polarization information being used to generate a non-polarized image.

[0033] In one alternative embodiment, the image processing apparatus is further configured to receive indication information for instructing the generation of the polarization information or the generation of the non-polarization information.

[0034] In one optional implementation, when the indication information is used to indicate the generation of the polarization information: the image processing device is used to generate the polarization information according to the correspondence and the first electrical signal, the polarization information is used to generate a polarized image, the first electrical signal includes electrical signals generated by different sensing units in the polarization image sensor sensing polarized light signals with different polarization directions, and electrical signals output by at least two of the sensing units are used to generate a pixel in the polarization image.

[0035] In one alternative implementation, when the indication information is used to indicate the generation of the non-polarized information: the image processing apparatus is used to generate non-polarized information based on the second electrical signal, the non-polarized information being used to generate a non-polarized image, the second electrical signal including electrical signals output by each sensing unit in the polarized image sensor, and at least one electrical signal output by the sensing unit being used to generate a pixel in the non-polarized image.

[0036] The camera device provided in this application is equipped with the polarization image sensor proposed in this application. Therefore, the camera device can capture both polarized and non-polarized images (e.g., ordinary high-definition images).

[0037] Thirdly, this application provides an image acquisition method implemented by the imaging device mentioned in the second aspect and any embodiment thereof. Specifically, the image acquisition method can be implemented by an image processing device in the imaging device running program code. The image processing device receives instruction information indicating whether to generate polarization information or non-polarization information. When the instruction information indicates the generation of polarization information, the image processing device acquires a first electrical signal and generates polarization information based on a correspondence and the first electrical signal. The first electrical signal is generated by a polarization image sensor sensing a polarized light signal, and the correspondence is the relationship between the polarization direction of the emitted light signal and the sensing unit sensing the emitted light signal.

[0038] Optionally, the image processing device generates a polarization image based on the polarization information.

[0039] Fourthly, this application provides another image acquisition method, which is implemented by the imaging device mentioned in the second aspect and any embodiment of the second aspect. Specifically, the image acquisition method can be implemented by an image processing device in the imaging device running program code. The image processing device receives instruction information indicating whether to generate polarization information or non-polarization information; when the instruction information indicates the generation of non-polarization information, it acquires a second electrical signal and generates non-polarization information based on the second electrical signal, wherein the second electrical signal is an electrical signal generated by a polarization image sensor sensing an unpolarized light signal, and the non-polarization information is used to generate a non-polarized image.

[0040] Optionally, the image processing device generates an unpolarized image (e.g., a regular high-definition image) based on the unpolarization information.

[0041] Fifthly, this application provides another polarization image sensor, mainly comprising: a control circuit, a guest-host effect cell, and a photoelectric sensing layer. The guest-host effect cell is located on the photosensitive side of the photoelectric sensing layer, and its alignment layer is arranged parallel to the photoelectric sensing layer. The control circuit is connected to the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell. Furthermore, the guest-host effect cell includes positive liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules, the long axis orientation of which is determined by the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The alignment layer of the guest-host effect cell includes multiple alignment regions, including polarization regions and non-polarization regions. The non-polarization regions do not polarize the incident light signal. It should be noted that regardless of whether the control circuit applies a bias voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, the non-polarization regions do not polarize the incident light signal. However, the aforementioned polarization regions switch between polarization and non-polarization depending on whether the control circuit applies a bias voltage.

[0042] Specifically, the control circuit is used to control the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules in the polarization region by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, thereby controlling the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the polarization region.

[0043] Furthermore, this guest-host effect cell is used to receive incident light signals and output a third or fourth light signal. Specifically, when the aforementioned polarizing region functions, the guest-host effect cell outputs a third light signal, which includes a polarized light signal obtained through the polarizing region and an unpolarized light signal obtained through the non-polarizing region. The polarization direction of the polarized light signal is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule. When the aforementioned polarizing region does not function, the guest-host effect cell outputs a fourth light signal, which is an unpolarized light signal obtained through both the polarizing region and the non-polarizing region.

[0044] Furthermore, this photoelectric sensing layer is used to sense the polarized light signal in the third optical signal to generate a third electrical signal, and to sense the unpolarized light signal in the third optical signal to generate a fourth electrical signal. The third electrical signal is used to generate polarization information, which is used to generate a polarized image; the fourth electrical signal is used to generate first unpolarized information, which is used to generate a first unpolarized image. Alternatively, the photoelectric sensing layer is used to sense the fourth optical signal to generate a fifth electrical signal, which is used to generate second unpolarized information, which is used to generate a second unpolarized image.

[0045] In this embodiment, on the one hand, the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell can be controlled to control the liquid crystal molecules within the cell, causing the dichroic dye molecules to deflect. This allows the guest-host effect cell to function as a polarizer or a clear glass plate, enabling the polarization image sensor composed of the aforementioned guest-host effect cell to obtain an electrical signal for generating polarization information in polarization mode and an electrical signal for generating non-polarization information in non-polarization mode. On the other hand, it is proposed to retain a portion of the area that functions as a clear glass plate (i.e., a colorless and transparent area). This allows the polarization image sensor to generate a third electrical signal for generating polarization information and a fourth electrical signal for generating non-polarization information based on the third light signal obtained in polarization mode. Thus, the imaging device can obtain the third electrical signal for generating polarization information and the fourth electrical signal for generating non-polarization information in a single shooting action. Furthermore, the polarized image generated based on the third electrical signal and the non-polarized image generated based on the fourth electrical signal can be understood as images captured at the same time. In addition, compared to the non-polarized image synthesized based on the electrical signal for generating polarization information in conventional technology, the non-polarized image generated based on the fourth electrical signal in this application is brighter and has clearer details.

[0046] Optionally, the third electrical signal and the fourth electrical signal are used for third unpolarized information, which is used to generate a third unpolarized image.

[0047] In this embodiment, it is proposed that a third electrical signal can be added to the fourth electrical signal to generate third unpolarized information. In this case, the third unpolarized image generated using the third unpolarized information can have higher brightness than the aforementioned second unpolarized image.

[0048] In one optional embodiment, the spatial relationship between the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules and the photosensitive layer is used to determine whether the polarized light signal or the unpolarized light signal is generated in the polarization region of the guest-host effect cell. Alternatively, it can be understood that the spatial relationship between the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules and the photosensitive layer is used to determine whether the polarization region in the guest-host effect cell performs the polarization function.

[0049] In one optional embodiment, when no preset bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the biased region is parallel to the photosensitive layer, and the biased region of the guest-host effect cell functions as a polarizer; the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the non-biased region is perpendicular to the photosensitive layer, and the non-biased region of the guest-host effect cell functions as a white glass plate; the guest-host effect cell is specifically used to control the polarized light component of the incident light signal in the second polarization direction to pass through the biased region of the guest-host effect cell, and to control the entire incident light signal to pass through the non-biased region of the guest-host effect cell to obtain the third light signal, wherein the second polarization direction is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules; the photosensitive layer is specifically used to sense the third light signal to generate the third electrical signal and the fourth electrical signal.

[0050] In this embodiment, it is proposed that positive liquid crystal molecules in the non-biased region can be configured perpendicular to the alignment layer. That is, when no bias voltage is applied, the long axis of the positive liquid crystal molecules is perpendicular to the photosensitive layer. Since positive liquid crystal molecules deflect along the direction of the electric field under the influence of an electric field, the aforementioned alignment method ensures that the positive liquid crystal molecules remain perpendicular to the photosensitive layer regardless of whether an electric field is applied. In other words, the non-aligned region can perform the function of a clear glass slide, i.e., it does not bias or filter the incident light signal.

[0051] In one optional embodiment, the control circuit is specifically used to apply a preset bias voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell to control the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules in the biased region to be deflected perpendicular to the photosensitive layer, thereby causing the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules in the biased region to be deflected perpendicular to the photosensitive layer. The long axis orientations of the positive liquid crystal molecules and the dichroic dye molecules in the non-biased region do not change. Both the biased and non-biased regions of the guest-host effect cell function as a white glass slide. The guest-host effect cell is specifically used to control all the incident light signal to pass through the guest-host effect cell to obtain the fourth light signal. The photosensitive layer is specifically used to sense the fourth light signal and generate the fifth electrical signal.

[0052] In one alternative implementation, each of the non-polarizing regions is not filled with the positive liquid crystal molecules and the positive dichroic dye molecules, and the non-polarizing regions of the guest-host effect cell function as a clear glass slide.

[0053] In this embodiment, an alternative configuration of the non-polarizing region is proposed, which eliminates the need to fill the non-polarizing region with liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules. In this case, the non-polarizing region is completely colorless and transparent, and it does not polarize or filter the incident light signal; instead, it functions as a clear glass slide.

[0054] In one optional embodiment, when no preset bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the biased region is parallel to the photosensitive layer, and the biased region of the guest-host effect cell functions as a polarizer; specifically, the guest-host effect cell is used to control the polarized light component of the incident light signal in the second polarization direction to pass through the biased region of the guest-host effect cell, and to control the entire incident light signal to pass through the non-biased region of the guest-host effect cell to obtain the third light signal, wherein the second polarization direction is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules; specifically, the photosensitive layer is used to sense the third light signal to generate the third electrical signal and the fourth electrical signal.

[0055] In one alternative implementation, the projection direction of the alignment direction of each of the biasing regions into the alignment layer is not exactly the same.

[0056] In one optional implementation, the plurality of biasing regions include a first alignment region and a second alignment region, wherein the projection direction of the alignment direction of the first alignment region in the alignment layer is perpendicular to the projection direction of the alignment direction of the second alignment region in the alignment layer.

[0057] In one optional embodiment, the plurality of biasing regions further include a third alignment region and a fourth alignment region. The projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment region in the alignment layer is perpendicular to the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment region in the alignment layer. Furthermore, the projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment region in the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the first alignment region in the alignment layer by 45°, and the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment region in the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the second alignment region in the alignment layer by 45°.

[0058] In one optional implementation, the plurality of biasing regions include a fifth alignment region and a sixth alignment region, wherein the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fifth alignment region in the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the sixth alignment region in the alignment layer by 60°.

[0059] In one alternative embodiment, the photoelectric sensing layer includes a plurality of sensing units, each of which is used to sense light signals and generate electrical signals, and the electrical signals generated by at least one sensing unit are used to generate a pixel in an image; each alignment region corresponds to at least one sensing unit on the photoelectric sensing layer.

[0060] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a camera device, which can be a polarization imager or a common device with video or photographing functions, such as a mobile phone or camcorder. The camera device includes an image processing unit and a polarization image sensor as mentioned in any embodiment of the fifth aspect. The image processing unit is used to acquire a third electrical signal and a fourth electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor according to a correspondence, wherein the third electrical signal is an electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor sensing an optical signal from a polarization region, and the fourth electrical signal is an electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor sensing an optical signal from a non-polarization region; the correspondence is the correspondence between the polarization state of the third optical signal and the sensing unit sensing the third optical signal; the image processing unit is used to generate polarization information according to the correspondence and the third electrical signal, and to generate non-polarization information according to the fourth electrical signal, the non-polarization information being used to generate a non-polarization image.

[0061] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the embodiments of this application have the following advantages:

[0062] In this embodiment, by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell, the liquid crystal molecules within the cell drive the dichroic dye molecules to deflect, enabling the guest-host effect cell to function as a polarizer or a clear glass plate. This allows the polarization image sensor composed of the aforementioned guest-host effect cells to obtain electrical signals for generating polarization information in polarization mode and electrical signals for generating non-polarization information in non-polarization mode. Consequently, the imaging device employing the polarization image sensor proposed in this application can output not only polarized images but also high-definition non-polarized images. Attached Figure Description

[0063] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application.

[0064] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the polarization image sensor in the embodiments of this application;

[0065] Figure 2A This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the polarization image sensor in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 2B This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the polarization image sensor using positive liquid crystal molecules in an embodiment of this application.

[0067] Figure 2C This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the polarization image sensor using negative liquid crystal molecules in an embodiment of this application.

[0068] Figure 3A This is an example diagram of a guest-host effect cell using positive liquid crystal molecules in the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 3B This is an example diagram of a guest-host effect cell using negative liquid crystal molecules in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 4 This is an example diagram of the alignment direction of an alignment region in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 5 This is an example diagram illustrating the alignment direction of multiple alignment regions in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 6 This is another example diagram illustrating the alignment direction of multiple alignment regions in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 7 This is another example diagram illustrating the alignment direction of multiple alignment regions in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 8 This is another example diagram illustrating the alignment direction of multiple alignment regions in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 9A This is a schematic diagram of another cross-sectional structure of the polarization image sensor in the embodiments of this application;

[0076] Figure 9B This is a schematic diagram of another cross-sectional structure of the polarization image sensor in the embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 10 This is an example diagram of the color filter layer in the polarization image sensor in the embodiments of this application;

[0078] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the camera device in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0079] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0080] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0081] To facilitate understanding, the technical terms used in this application will be introduced below:

[0082] Polarization refers to the process of converting unpolarized light signals or light signals of arbitrary polarization into polarized light signals through an optical filter. It can also be understood as allowing other signals of a specific polarization to pass through while blocking or absorbing other light signals. The optical filter used in this polarization process is called a polarizer. A polarizer allows light signals with a specific polarization direction to pass through and is commonly used to obtain polarized light from natural light. Commonly used polarizers include polaroids and Nicol prisms. In traditional technology, polaroids have a fixed polarization direction after manufacturing and cannot be changed, nor can their polarization function be disabled.

[0083] Dichroism is an optical property of crystals, referring to the characteristic that the absorption coefficient of a crystal depends on the polarization state of the incident light. Generally, the absorption of the incident light varies depending on its polarization direction. For example, dye molecules exhibiting dichroism are called dichroic dye molecules. These molecules can absorb polarized light with a specific polarization direction. When the dichroic dye molecule is deflected, its absorption of the aforementioned polarized light with that specific polarization direction will weaken. Generally, dichroic molecules are divided into positive dichroic molecules and negative dichroic molecules. For positive dichroic dye molecules, when the long axis of the molecule is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the light, it allows almost all the polarized light to pass through; when the long axis is parallel to the polarization direction, it absorbs almost all the polarized light. Conversely, for negative dichroic dye molecules, when the long axis of the negative dichroic dye molecule is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the polarized light, the molecule absorbs almost all of the polarized light; conversely, when the long axis is parallel to the polarization direction, it allows almost all of the polarized light to pass through. It should be understood that the terms "complete transmission" or "complete absorption" used later in this application are idealized and may have slight errors in practical applications. For example, when the long axis of a positive dichroic dye molecule is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the polarized light, the molecule has a negligible absorption effect on that polarized light.

[0084] The guest-heat effect refers to the phenomenon where, when a dichroic dye, as a guest, dissolves in an oriented liquid crystal matrix, the dichroic dye molecules, under the influence of dielectric force, align themselves in the same direction as the liquid crystal molecules. When the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, acting as the host, is deflected under the influence of an electric field, the long axis orientation of the aforementioned dichroic dye molecules will also deflect accordingly. Since dichroic dye molecules primarily absorb polarized light in a direction specific to their long axis orientation, the absorption of polarized light by the dichroic dye molecules will change when the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is deflected. The guest-heat effect box, which will be introduced later, utilizes the principle of the guest-heat effect. It places a display medium containing liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules between two transparent conductive plates that are positioned opposite each other. By setting a bias voltage between the two transparent conductive plates, an electric field force can be applied to the liquid crystal molecules to control the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby controlling the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules.

[0085] Alignment: This refers to applying an external force to liquid crystal molecules without an external electric field, causing them to align in a specific direction. Specifically, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules will align according to the direction of this external force. Generally, the direction of this external force is called the alignment direction. After alignment, the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules becomes this alignment direction. Generally, alignment films are used to align the liquid crystal molecules. This alignment film technology is often combined with guest-host cell technology, where two alignment films are placed opposite each other between two transparent conductive plates in the guest-host cell. This ensures that even without a bias voltage applied to the guest-host cell, the liquid crystal molecules still have a specific alignment direction, thereby giving the dichroic dye molecules a specific alignment direction as well.

[0086] Clear glass slide: refers to an optical component that is transparent and colorless and does not filter or polarize incident light. Generally, this optical component is made of glass, hence the name clear glass slide. In practical applications, other materials can also be used to make components with the same optical functions as the aforementioned clear glass slide, such as resin, quartz crystal, etc., but this application does not limit the specific materials used.

[0087] Polarization imaging refers to images derived from polarization information. In different application scenarios, the images derived from polarization information may be a single image or multiple images, and may be planar or stereoscopic. For example, in face recognition and 3D modeling scenarios in consumer electronics products (e.g., mobile phone cameras, camera lenses, etc.), it may be necessary to output multiple polarization images based on polarization information, which may include stereoscopic images. This application does not specifically limit the scope of polarization imaging.

[0088] The application scenarios of the polarization image sensor proposed in this application are described below:

[0089] The polarization image sensor proposed in this application is mainly used in polarization imaging scenarios, such as when a polarization imager captures an object and generates a polarization image. Currently, conventional polarization imagers use image sensors with fixed polarizers. These polarizers are made of solid materials through directional stretching and cannot be arbitrarily changed in shape. Therefore, after receiving an incident light signal, the aforementioned image sensor with a fixed polarizer can only output an electrical signal generated based on the polarized light signal with a specific polarization direction, thereby enabling the polarization imager to generate a polarization image carrying polarization information. However, the aforementioned conventional image sensors cannot output electrical signals generated based on unpolarized light signals. Therefore, conventional polarization imagers cannot directly generate unpolarized images (i.e., images without polarization information) based on unpolarized light signals.

[0090] In response, this application proposes a polarization image sensor that combines guest-host effect cell technology and alignment technology. The guest-host effect cell with an internal alignment film is used to realize the function of a polarizer. Furthermore, by controlling the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules in the guest-host effect cell, the aforementioned guest-host effect cell with an internal alignment film can switch between realizing the function of a polarizer and realizing the function of a white glass slide. This enables the aforementioned polarization image sensor to output an electrical signal for generating polarization information or an electrical signal for generating non-polarization information based on the same incident light signal.

[0091] The main structure of the polarization image sensor proposed in this application will be described below:

[0092] like Figure 1 The diagram shows the main structure of a polarization image sensor. This polarization image sensor mainly includes a guest-host effect cell 10, a photosensitive layer 20, and a control circuit 30. The guest-host effect cell 10 is located on the photosensitive side of the photosensitive layer 20, and it includes liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules. The long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is determined by the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.

[0093] The control circuit 30 is connected to the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10 and is used to control the voltage between the two electrodes. Since the electric field formed between the two electrodes in the guest-host effect cell 10 can control the long-axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the cell, and the dichroic dye molecules will deflect along with the liquid crystal molecules under the action of dielectric force, the liquid crystal molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 can be deflected under the control of the control circuit 30, thereby causing the dichroic dye molecules to deflect. Therefore, by adjusting the bias voltage between the two electrodes, the long-axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules can be indirectly controlled.

[0094] The guest-host effect box 10 is used to receive incident light signals and output outgoing light signals. The incident light signal may include polarized light and / or unpolarized light, wherein the polarized light can be polarized light with one or more polarization directions. Optionally, the polarized light may be linearly polarized light. For example, the incident light signal in this application may be natural light, which contains both polarized and unpolarized light. The outgoing light signal varies depending on the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules. When the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules in the guest-host effect box 10 is different, the role of the guest-host effect box 10 in the polarization image sensor also differs. At one moment, the arrangement of the dichroic dye molecules allows the guest-host effect box 10 to function as a polarizer, while at another moment, the arrangement allows it to function as a clear glass slide.

[0095] Specifically, when the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule is parallel to the photosensitive layer 20, the guest-host effect cell 10 controls a portion of the polarized light component in the incident light signal to pass through the guest-host effect cell 10, resulting in a polarized light signal. This polarized light signal is a polarized light signal with a specific polarization direction filtered from the aforementioned incident light signal. If the dichroic dye molecule in the guest-host effect cell 10 is a positive dichroic dye molecule, then the polarized light signal is a polarized light signal with a polarization direction perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecule. In this case, the photosensitive layer 20 senses the polarized light signal to generate an electrical signal for generating polarization information. In this case, the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a polarizer. For ease of explanation later, the mode in which the guest-host effect cell 10 in the polarization image sensor functions as a polarizer is referred to as the polarization mode.

[0096] Furthermore, when the long axis of the dichroic dye molecules is oriented perpendicular to the photoelectric sensing layer 20, the guest-host effect cell 10 controls all the incident light signal to pass through it, resulting in an unpolarized light signal. In other words, the dichroic dye molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 do not absorb the incident light signal, or their absorption is weak and negligible. It should be noted that the dichroic dye molecules are positive dichroic, and polarized light in different polarization directions is perpendicular to them. In this case, the photoelectric sensing layer 20 senses the unpolarized light signal and generates an electrical signal for generating non-polarized information. At this time, the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a white glass plate, not a polarizer. For ease of explanation later, the mode in which the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a white glass plate in the polarization image sensor is referred to as the non-polarized mode.

[0097] It should be understood that, because the polarization image sensor proposed in this application needs to switch between polarization and non-polarization modes, the guest-host effect cell in this application uses positive dichroic dye molecules. The liquid crystal molecules can be either positive or negative. Specifically, this will be discussed later. Figure 2B The corresponding embodiments will describe the specific scheme implemented using positive liquid crystal molecules; in the following text Figure 2C The specific implementation scheme using negative liquid crystal molecules will be described in the corresponding embodiments. Details will not be elaborated here.

[0098] In this embodiment, by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10, the cell can be controlled to function as a polarizer or a clear glass plate. This allows the polarization image sensor composed of the aforementioned guest-host effect cells 10 to obtain an electrical signal for generating polarization information in polarization mode and an electrical signal for generating non-polarization information in non-polarization mode. Consequently, a polarization imager employing the polarization image sensor proposed in this application can output not only polarized images (i.e., images carrying polarization information) but also high-definition non-polarized images (i.e., images carrying non-polarization information such as brightness and color). Therefore, the aforementioned polarization image sensor can not only enrich the application scenarios of polarization imagers (e.g., polarization cameras) but also enable imaging devices used for capturing ordinary images (e.g., mobile phones, camcorders) to provide polarization imaging functionality.

[0099] To facilitate understanding of the polarization image sensor proposed in this application, the implementation principle of the aforementioned polarization image sensor will be further introduced below in conjunction with the internal structure of the guest-host effect box:

[0100] like Figure 2A The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of a polarization image sensor, which mainly includes a guest-host effect cell 10, a photoelectric sensing layer 20, and a control circuit 30. The guest-host effect cell 10 is located on the photosensitive side of the photoelectric sensing layer 20.

[0101] The guest-host effect cell 10 includes a first transparent conductive plate 101 and a second transparent conductive plate 102 disposed opposite to each other, and a display medium 103 disposed between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102. A first alignment layer 104 is disposed on the surface of the first transparent conductive plate 101 facing the display medium 103, and a second alignment layer 105 is disposed on the surface of the second transparent conductive plate 102 facing the display medium 103.

[0102] The display medium 103 includes liquid crystal molecules 1031 and dichroic dye molecules 1032. The first alignment layer 104 and the second alignment layer 105 are used to determine the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules 1031 when no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102. When a bias voltage is applied, the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102 are used to form an electric field between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102 to control the deflection of the liquid crystal molecules 1031, thereby controlling the deflection of the dichroic dye molecules 1032.

[0103] It should be understood that the alignment directions of the first alignment layer 104 and the second alignment layer 105 are the same. That is, the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules under the action of the first alignment layer 104 is the same as that under the action of the second alignment layer 105. The alignment direction mentioned below refers to the alignment direction of the first alignment layer 104 and also the alignment direction of the second alignment layer 105. In particular, if it is sufficient to ensure the deflection of liquid crystal molecules 1031 and dye molecules 1032 by using only one alignment layer, then the guest-host effect cell 10 can also use only one alignment layer. This alignment layer can be either the first alignment layer 104 or the second alignment layer 105, and the specific choice is not limited here.

[0104] Specifically, when the guest-host effect cell 10 is made of liquid crystal molecules with different electrical properties, the alignment direction of the alignment layer in the different guest-host effect cells 10 is different, and the bias voltage applied to the transparent electrode plate in the different guest-host effect cells 10 is also different.

[0105] In one alternative embodiment, the aforementioned liquid crystal molecule 1031 is a positive liquid crystal molecule.

[0106] Because positive liquid crystal molecules deflect along the direction of the electric field under the influence of an electric field, that is, the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules deflects to be parallel to the direction of the electric field. Therefore, in order to enable the polarization image sensor to switch between polarization mode and non-polarization mode, when positive liquid crystal molecules are used to fabricate the guest-host effect cell 10, the alignment direction of the aforementioned alignment layer (that is, the alignment direction of the first alignment layer 104, which is also the alignment direction of the second alignment layer 105) tends to be parallel to the alignment layer, or parallel to the alignment layer. In other words, when no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, the long axis direction of the positive liquid crystal molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 tends to be parallel to the direction of the alignment layer, and the long axis direction of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 also tends to be parallel to the direction of the alignment layer; or, the long axis direction of the positive liquid crystal molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 is parallel to the direction of the alignment layer, and the long axis direction of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 is also parallel to the direction of the alignment layer.

[0107] like Figure 2BAs shown, when only the alignment layer applies an effect on the positive liquid crystal molecules, that is, when no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, the positive liquid crystal molecules have a first pretilt angle, which is the angle between the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules and the alignment layer. The first pretilt angle is a small acute angle, so that the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules is approximately parallel to the alignment layer. At this time, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules will also follow the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules, and therefore, the positive dichroic dye molecules are also approximately parallel to the alignment layer. When a bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, the positive liquid crystal molecules will deflect along the direction of the electric field, that is, the positive liquid crystal molecules will deflect along a direction perpendicular to the first transparent conductive plate 101 (or the second transparent conductive plate 102) (which can also be understood as a direction perpendicular to the alignment layer, or a direction perpendicular to the photoelectric sensing layer 20). At this time, the dichroic dye molecules will also deflect along with the positive liquid crystal molecules, thus the dichroic dye molecules are approximately perpendicular to the aforementioned alignment layer. Optionally, the first pretilt angle can range from 0° to 10°.

[0108] Therefore, when no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, that is, when the control circuit 30 controls the two electrodes of the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10 to not apply a bias voltage, the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is parallel to the photoelectric sensing layer 20. Only polarized light signals perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules can pass through the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10. Therefore, the guest-host effect cell 10 acts as a polarizer. The photoelectric sensing layer 20 in the polarization image sensor senses the aforementioned polarized light signal to obtain an electrical signal used to generate polarization information.

[0109] When a preset bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, that is, when the control circuit 30 controls the application of a preset voltage between the two electrodes of the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10, the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is perpendicular to the photosensitive layer 20. At this time, polarized light signals in all polarization directions are perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules, and both polarized and unpolarized light signals in all polarization directions can pass through the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10. Therefore, the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a white glass slide. The photosensitive layer 20 in this polarization image sensor senses the aforementioned incident light signal to obtain an electrical signal used to generate unpolarized information.

[0110] In another alternative embodiment, the aforementioned liquid crystal molecule 1031 is a negative liquid crystal molecule.

[0111] Because negative liquid crystal molecules deflect in a direction perpendicular to the electric field under the influence of an electric field, that is, the long axis orientation of the negative liquid crystal molecules deflects to be perpendicular to the direction of the electric field. Therefore, in order to enable the polarization image sensor to switch between polarization mode and non-polarization mode, when the guest-host effect cell 10 is made of negative liquid crystal molecules, the alignment direction of the aforementioned alignment layer (i.e., the alignment direction of the first alignment layer 104, which is also the alignment direction of the second alignment layer 105) tends to be perpendicular to the alignment layer. Therefore, when no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, the long axis direction of the negative liquid crystal molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 tends to be perpendicular to the alignment layer, and the long axis direction of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the guest-host effect cell 10 also tends to be perpendicular to the alignment layer. However, it should be noted that, in order to enable the negative liquid crystal molecules to deflect in a specific direction under the influence of an electric field, the alignment direction of the alignment layer is set at an angle close to 90° to the alignment layer itself during the alignment process, so that the negative liquid crystal molecules have a second pretilt angle after alignment. Optionally, the value of the second pretilt angle is in the range of 80° to 90°. At this time, the negative liquid crystal molecules can be approximately perpendicular to the alignment layer under the influence of the alignment layer, but when deflected, the negative liquid crystal molecules can deflect along the aforementioned second pretilt angle until the negative liquid crystal molecules are parallel to the alignment layer. Furthermore, the positive dichroic dye molecules will also be deflected to be parallel to the aforementioned alignment layer, that is, parallel to the photoelectric sensing layer 20, under the influence of dielectric force.

[0112] like Figure 2C As shown, when only the alignment layer acts on the negative liquid crystal molecules, i.e., when no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, the negative liquid crystal molecules are arranged along the second pretilt angle, and the long axis orientation of the negative liquid crystal molecules is approximately perpendicular to the alignment layer. At this time, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules will also follow the long axis orientation of the negative liquid crystal molecules, therefore, the positive dichroic dye molecules are also approximately perpendicular to the alignment layer. When a bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, the negative liquid crystal molecules will deflect in a direction perpendicular to the electric field, i.e., the negative liquid crystal molecules will deflect in a direction parallel to the first transparent conductive plate 101 (or the second transparent conductive plate 102) (which can also be understood as parallel to the alignment layer). At this time, the positive dichroic dye molecules will also deflect along with the negative liquid crystal molecules, therefore, the positive dichroic dye molecules are also approximately parallel to the alignment layer.

[0113] Therefore, when no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, that is, when the control circuit 30 controls the two electrodes of the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10 to be free of bias voltage, the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is perpendicular to the photosensitive layer 20. At this time, polarized light signals in all polarization directions are perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules, and both polarized and unpolarized light signals in all polarization directions can pass through the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10. Therefore, the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a white glass slide. The photosensitive layer 20 in this polarization image sensor senses the aforementioned incident light signal to obtain an electrical signal used to generate unpolarized information.

[0114] When a preset bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, that is, when the control circuit 30 controls the application of a preset voltage between the two electrodes of the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10, the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is parallel to the photosensitive layer 20. At this time, only polarized light signals perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules can pass through the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10. Therefore, the guest-host effect cell 10 acts as a polarizer. The photosensitive layer 20 in the polarization image sensor senses the aforementioned polarized light signal to obtain an electrical signal for generating polarization information.

[0115] In this embodiment, regardless of whether the aforementioned guest-host effect cell 10 uses positive or negative liquid crystal molecules, the control circuit 30 can indirectly control the deflection of dye molecules by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10, so as to realize the switching of the guest-host effect cell 10 between the polarizer function and the white glass plate function, and thus realize the switching of the polarization image sensor between polarization mode and non-polarization mode.

[0116] Furthermore, if different alignment directions are set in different regions of the alignment layer, then the guest-host effect cell 10 can absorb polarized light signals with different polarization directions in different regions when acting as a polarizer. For ease of explanation, each region divided in the alignment layer is called an alignment region. The aforementioned alignment layer may include multiple alignment regions. For ease of explanation, the region that can realize the function of a polarizer under the action of the control circuit 30 is called the polarization region, and the region that can only realize the function of a white glass plate is called the non-polarization region. The aforementioned multiple alignment regions can all be polarization regions, or they can be a combination of polarization regions and non-polarization regions. The above two cases will be described below:

[0117] If all of the aforementioned alignment regions are biased regions, and the projection directions of the alignment directions of the aforementioned biased regions in the alignment layer are not completely the same, the liquid crystal molecules in the biased region can be deflected under the control of the bias voltage.

[0118] Since no bias voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive plate 101 and the second transparent conductive plate 102, the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules (positive or negative liquid crystal molecules) is determined by the alignment direction. Therefore, the long axis orientations of liquid crystal molecules in different biased regions are not entirely the same, and consequently, the long axis orientations of dichroic dye molecules in different biased regions are not entirely the same. Furthermore, the projection directions of the long axis orientations of dichroic dye molecules located in different biased regions into the alignment layer are not entirely the same.

[0119] It should be understood that although the alignment directions of positive and negative liquid crystal molecules are different, the projection direction of the alignment direction of the positive liquid crystal molecules onto the alignment layer can be the same as the projection direction of the alignment direction of the negative liquid crystal molecules onto the alignment layer. Figure 3A and Figure 3B Let's take an example to illustrate. For example... Figure 3A The diagram shows a top view, front view, and side view of a polarization region of a guest-host effect cell 10 employing positive liquid crystal molecules. The alignment direction of this polarization region is projected into the alignment layer at 0°. This means that when the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a polarizer, it only allows polarized light signals with a polarization direction of 90° to pass through. For ease of explanation, it will be referred to as... Figure 3A The alignment region shown is the region where polarized light of 90° can be obtained, and the polarization direction is 90°. For example... Figure 3B The diagram shows a top view, front view, and side view of a polarization region of a guest-host effect cell 10 employing negative liquid crystal molecules. The alignment direction of this polarization region is projected into the alignment layer at 0°. This means that when the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a polarizer—that is, when the control circuit 30 applies a bias voltage causing the negative liquid crystal molecules to deflect the positive dichroic dye molecules parallel to the photosensitive layer—the guest-host effect cell 10 only allows polarized light signals with a polarization direction of 90° to pass through. In this case, it can also be referred to as... Figure 3B The alignment region shown is the region where polarized light of 90° is obtained, and the polarization direction is 90°. As can be seen from the two examples above, although the alignment directions of positive and negative liquid crystal molecules are different, i.e. Figure 3A The front view shows the angle between the positive liquid crystal molecules and the alignment layer as the first pretilt angle, while Figure 3B The front view shows the angle between the negative liquid crystal molecules and the alignment layer as the second pretilt angle. However, the projection directions of the alignment directions of the positive liquid crystal molecules and the negative liquid crystal molecules in the alignment layer are both 0°. Figure 3A The deflection area shown and Figure 3BAll the polarization regions shown can obtain polarized light signals with a polarization direction of 0°. Therefore, when describing the polarization direction of the guest-host effect cell 10 to achieve the polarizer function, only positive liquid crystal molecules will be used as an example. Those skilled in the art should understand that the guest-host effect cell 10 using negative liquid crystal molecules can also achieve the polarizer function with the same polarization direction.

[0120] Specifically, the projection direction (hereinafter referred to as the projection direction) of the alignment direction of any one of the multiple offset regions in the aforementioned alignment layer onto the alignment layer can be 0° (e.g., Figure 4 Example a in the text), 90° (as shown in example a) Figure 4 (as shown in example b), 45° (as shown in example b) Figure 4 Example c in the text), 135° (as shown in the example c), Figure 4 Example d in the text), 30° (as shown in example d ...) Figure 4 Example e in the text), 60° (as shown in the example e) Figure 4 Example g in the text) and 120° (as shown in the example g) Figure 4 Any one of the examples shown in example f. Of course, depending on the needs of the actual application, the projection direction in the aforementioned bias region can also be other angles, which are not limited here.

[0121] In one possible implementation, the multiple polarization regions in the alignment layer may include two types of polarization regions. Optionally, to obtain more complete polarization information, two polarization regions with mutually perpendicular projection directions can be set, i.e., the projection directions of the two polarization regions differ by 90°. For ease of explanation, the aforementioned two regions with mutually perpendicular projection directions are referred to as the first alignment region and the second alignment region. The projection directions of the first alignment region and the second alignment region are mutually perpendicular. For example, the projection direction of the first alignment region is 0° (e.g., ...). Figure 4 As shown in Example a), the projection direction of the second alignment region is 90° (as shown in Example a). Figure 4 As shown in example b), at this point, it can be done according to Figure 5 Example a in the diagram sets up the aforementioned biasing region. For instance, the projection direction of the first alignment region is 45° (e.g., ...). Figure 4 As shown in Example c), the projection direction of the second alignment region is 135° (as shown in Example c). Figure 4 As shown in example d), at this point, it can be done according to Figure 5 Example b in the example sets up the aforementioned biasing region. For instance, the projection direction of the first alignment region is 30° (e.g., ...). Figure 4 As shown in example e), the projection direction of the second alignment region is 120° (as shown in example e). Figure 4 As shown in example f), at this point, it can be done according to Figure 5Example c in the example sets the aforementioned biasing region. Of course, the projection directions of the first alignment region and the second alignment region can also be other values, which are not limited here.

[0122] In another possible implementation, the plurality of biasing regions in the aforementioned alignment layer may include four types of alignment regions. For example, in addition to the first and second alignment regions, the plurality of biasing regions may also include a third and a fourth alignment region. The projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment region onto the alignment layer is perpendicular to the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment region onto the alignment layer. Furthermore, the projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment region onto the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the first alignment region onto the alignment layer by 45°, and the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment region onto the alignment layer differs from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the second alignment region onto the alignment layer by 45°. For example, the projection direction of the first alignment region is 0° (e.g., ...). Figure 4 As shown in Example a), the projection direction of the second alignment region is 90° (as shown in Example a). Figure 4 As shown in Example b), the projection direction of the third alignment region is 45° (as shown in Example b). Figure 4 As shown in Example c), the projection direction of the fourth alignment region is 135° (as shown in Example c). Figure 4 (As shown in example d). At this point, it can be done according to... Figure 6 The aforementioned offset region can be set up using any of the examples provided. Specifically, the arrangement of the aforementioned offset region can be adjusted according to the actual application; no specific restrictions are imposed here.

[0123] If the aforementioned multiple alignment regions include polarization regions and non-polarization regions, wherein the alignment directions of the aforementioned multiple polarization regions are not completely projected into the alignment layer, and the liquid crystal molecules in the polarization region can be deflected under the control of the bias voltage; the non-polarization region has no polarization effect on the incident light signal, that is, regardless of whether the control circuit 30 applies a bias voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10, the non-polarization region has no polarization effect on the incident light signal.

[0124] The implementation method of the bias region can be found in the previous text. Figure 4 The examples listed will not be elaborated upon here. The non-biased region can be implemented in two ways:

[0125] One implementation involves not filling the non-polarizing region with liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules. In this case, regardless of whether the control circuit 30 applies a bias voltage to the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10, the non-polarizing region can only function as a clear glass slide. Optionally, the non-polarizing region can be filled with a transparent, colorless material that does not filter the incident light signal, such as silica glass or resin. It should be noted that if this implementation is adopted, the guest-host effect cell 10 can use either positive or negative liquid crystal molecules.

[0126] Another implementation involves filling the non-polarized region with positive liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules, and setting the alignment direction of the alignment layer in the non-polarized region to be perpendicular to the alignment layer (i.e., perpendicular to the photosensitive layer). Then, regardless of whether the control circuit 30 applies a bias voltage to the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10, that is, regardless of whether a bias voltage is applied between the first transparent electrode plate 101 and the second transparent electrode plate 102, the positive liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules in the non-polarized region remain perpendicular to the photosensitive layer. Therefore, polarized light signals of any polarization direction can pass through the aforementioned non-polarized region, which can only function as a white glass slide. It should be noted that with this implementation, only positive liquid crystal molecules can be used in the guest-host effect cell 10, whereas in the aforementioned implementation, the guest-host effect cell 10 can use either positive or negative liquid crystal molecules.

[0127] In practical applications, either of the two implementation methods mentioned above can be used; no specific method is specified here.

[0128] Specifically, when setting up the alignment layer, a non-biased region and multiple biased regions (e.g., Figure 4 Combine any one of the examples. For example, you can combine the projection direction of 0° (such as...). Figure 4 As shown in example a), the projection direction is 90° (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in Example b), the projection direction is 135° (as shown in Example b). Figure 4 Example d in the diagram) and the combination of non-biased regions yield the following: Figure 7 Example a is shown (taking a non-polarized region filled with positive liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules as an example). For example, the projection direction can be 0° (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in example a), the projection direction is 90° (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in example b), the projection direction is 45° (e.g., Figure 4 Example c in the diagram) and the combination of non-biased regions yield the following: Figure 7Example b is shown (taking a non-polarizing region filled with positive liquid crystal molecules and positive dichroic dye molecules as an example). Of course, it can also be a combination of multiple polarizing regions and multiple non-polarizing regions, for example... Figure 8 The example shown is illustrated below. In practical applications, the ratio of the number of biased regions to the number of non-biased regions can be adjusted according to actual application requirements, and will not be listed in detail in this application.

[0129] It should also be noted that when the alignment layer includes a polarization region and a non-polarization region, the filtering of the incident light signal by the guest-host effect cell 10 and the sensing of the emitted light signal by the photoelectric sensing layer 20 differ from the aforementioned embodiments. (Still in conjunction with the foregoing...) Figure 1 Introduction:

[0130] Specifically, the control circuit 30 is used to control the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules in the polarization region by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10, thereby controlling the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the polarization region.

[0131] Furthermore, the guest-host effect cell 10 is used to receive the incident light signal and output a third or fourth light signal. When the aforementioned polarizing region functions, the guest-host effect cell outputs a third light signal, which includes a polarized light signal obtained through the polarizing region and an unpolarized light signal obtained through the non-polarizing region. The polarization direction of the polarized light signal is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecule. When the aforementioned polarizing region does not function, the guest-host effect cell 10 outputs a fourth light signal, which is an unpolarized light signal obtained through both the polarizing region and the non-polarizing region.

[0132] Furthermore, the photoelectric sensing layer 20 is used to sense the polarized light signal in the third optical signal to generate a third electrical signal, and to sense the unpolarized light signal in the third optical signal to generate a fourth electrical signal. The third electrical signal is used to generate polarization information, which is used to generate a polarized image; the fourth electrical signal is used to generate first unpolarized information, which is used to generate a first unpolarized image. Alternatively, the photoelectric sensing layer 20 can sense the fourth optical signal to generate a fifth electrical signal, which is used to generate second unpolarized information, which is used to generate a second unpolarized image.

[0133] In this embodiment, on the one hand, the polarization image sensor can obtain an electrical signal for generating polarization information in polarization mode and an electrical signal for generating non-polarization information in non-polarization mode. On the other hand, it is proposed to retain a portion of the area that functions as a white glass slide (i.e., a colorless and transparent area). This allows the polarization image sensor to generate a third electrical signal for generating polarization information and a fourth electrical signal for generating non-polarization information based on the third light signal obtained in polarization mode. Thus, the imaging device can obtain the third electrical signal for generating polarization information and the fourth electrical signal for generating non-polarization information in a single shooting action. Furthermore, the polarization image generated based on the third electrical signal and the non-polarization image generated based on the fourth electrical signal can be understood as images captured at the same time. Moreover, compared to the non-polarization image synthesized based on the electrical signal for generating polarization information in conventional technology, the non-polarization image generated based on the fourth electrical signal in this application is brighter and has clearer details.

[0134] Specifically, when no preset bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the biased region is parallel to the photoelectric sensing layer 20, and the biased region of the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a polarizer; the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules in the non-biased region is perpendicular to the photoelectric sensing layer 20, and the non-biased region of the guest-host effect cell 10 functions as a white glass slide; the guest-host effect cell 10 is specifically used to control the polarized light component of the second polarization direction in the incident light signal to pass through the biased region of the guest-host effect cell 10, and to control the entire incident light signal to pass through the non-biased region of the guest-host effect cell 10 to obtain the third light signal, wherein the second polarization direction is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules; the photoelectric sensing layer 20 is specifically used to sense the third light signal to generate the third electrical signal and the fourth electrical signal.

[0135] Furthermore, when the control circuit 30 applies a preset bias voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect cell 10 to control the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules in the biased region to be deflected perpendicular to the photosensitive layer 20, thereby causing the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules in the biased region to be deflected perpendicular to the photosensitive layer 20, the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules and the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules in the non-biased region do not change. Both the biased region and the non-biased region of the guest-host effect cell 10 realize the function of a white glass slide. The guest-host effect cell 10 is specifically used to control all the incident light signal to pass through the guest-host effect cell 10 to obtain the fourth light signal. The photosensitive layer 20 is specifically used to sense the fourth light signal and generate the fifth electrical signal.

[0136] Furthermore, it should be understood that the aforementioned photoelectric sensing layer 20 includes a plurality of sensing units, at least one of which senses an electrical signal generated by sensing a light signal to generate a pixel in an image.

[0137] For example, in non-polarization mode, the electrical signal generated by each sensing unit can be used to generate one pixel of the image, or the electrical signals generated by multiple sensing units (e.g., electrical signals generated by four sensing units) can be used to generate one pixel of the image. The specific choice depends on the actual application requirements and is not limited here.

[0138] For example, in polarization mode, electrical signals generated by multiple sensing units are used to generate a pixel in the polarization image. Optionally, the aforementioned multiple sensing units are sensing units corresponding to at least two alignment regions. For example, if one alignment region corresponds to one sensing unit, and the alignment region includes an alignment region with a polarization direction of 90° and an alignment region with a polarization direction of 0°, then electrical signal 1 generated by the sensing unit corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 90° and electrical signal 2 generated by the sensing unit corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 0° are used together to generate a pixel in the polarization image. As another example, if one alignment region corresponds to four sensing units, and the alignment region includes an alignment region with a polarization direction of 45° and an alignment region with a polarization direction of 135°, then electrical signal 3 generated by the four sensing units corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 45° and electrical signal 4 generated by the four sensing units corresponding to the alignment region with a polarization direction of 135° are used together to generate a pixel in the polarization image. The specific method depends on the actual application requirements and is not limited here.

[0139] Each sensing unit includes a lens unit (also called a microlens), a guest-host effect cell 10, a color filter layer, and a photodiode in the photoelectric sensing layer 20. The color filter layer is located between the lens unit and the photodiode to filter a portion of the wavelengths of light converged by the lens unit. Furthermore, as... Figure 9A As shown, the guest-host effect box 20 can be located below the lens unit and above the color filter layer; as Figure 9B As shown, the guest-host effect cell 20 can also be located above the lens unit; no specific limitation is made here. The color filter layer is made of a transparent material to allow specific light to pass through it and reach the photodiode. Each alignment region corresponds to at least one sensing unit on the photosensitive layer 20.

[0140] In one optional embodiment, the aforementioned color filter layer is a colorless and transparent thin film, referred to as... Figure 9A or Figure 9BThe sensing unit shown is a colorless sensing unit. In this case, the aforementioned color filter layer does not filter the light passing through it. Therefore, light of any wavelength can pass through the aforementioned color filter layer and reach the photodiode, for example, visible light in the wavelength range of 400nm to 750nm, or infrared light in the wavelength range of 750nm to 1mm. Therefore, this colorless sensing unit can sense light of any of the aforementioned wavelengths. For example, this colorless sensing unit can sense visible light such as white light, red light, and yellow light; this colorless sensing unit can also sense invisible light such as infrared light, but the specifics are not limited here.

[0141] In another optional embodiment, the aforementioned color filter layer is a colored transparent film, referred to as... Figure 9A or Figure 9B The sensing unit shown is a colored sensing unit. In this case, the aforementioned color filter layer will only allow light of a specific wavelength to pass through. Because the color filter layer absorbs or reflects light of different wavelengths differently, the wavelengths of light passing through the color filter layer are different, and different wavelengths of light appear as different colors to the human eye. Generally, the color filter layer allows light of the same color as the color filter layer to pass through, while reflecting or absorbing light of other colors. For example, when the aforementioned color filter layer is a yellow color filter layer, only yellow light passes through the aforementioned color filter layer to reach the photodiode.

[0142] In this embodiment, the aforementioned polarization image sensor may consist entirely of colorless sensing units, or entirely of colored sensing units, or may include both colorless and colored sensing units.

[0143] When the polarization image sensor is entirely composed of color sensing units, the aforementioned color filter layer can be an RGB color filter layer (e.g., ...). Figure 10 Example a) CMY color filter layer (e.g.) Figure 10 Example b) etc. When the polarization image sensor includes both a colorless sensing unit and a colored sensing unit, the aforementioned color filter layer can be an RGBW color filter layer (such as...). Figure 10 Example c), CMYW color filter layer (such as...) Figure 10 Examples include d), etc. This application does not specify any particular example.

[0144] Optionally, the aforementioned polarization image sensor can be a CCD image sensor composed of a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a CMOS image sensor composed of a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), and the specific choice is not limited here. When the polarization image sensor is a CMOS image sensor, it has higher sensitivity to infrared light than a CCD image sensor, allowing it to record more details of the photographed object.

[0145] Furthermore, the aforementioned polarization image sensor can be either a front-illuminated structure (also known as a surface-illuminated structure) or a back-illuminated structure; no specific limitation is made here.

[0146] like Figure 11 As shown, this application also provides a camera device 110, which is provided with the aforementioned... Figure 1 The polarization image sensor 1101 and image processing device 1102 are shown. The camera device 110 can be a polarization imager or a common device with video or photographic functions, such as a mobile phone or camcorder. No specific limitation is made here.

[0147] Specifically, when the polarization image sensor 1101 contains only the polarization region:

[0148] The image processing device 1102 is configured to receive a first electrical signal or a second electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor 1101, wherein the first electrical signal is generated by the polarization image sensor 1101 sensing a polarized light signal, and the second electrical signal is generated by the polarization image sensor 1101 sensing an unpolarized light signal. Then, the image processing device 1102 is further configured to generate polarization information based on a correspondence and the first electrical signal, the polarization information being used to generate a polarized image, wherein the correspondence is the correspondence between the polarization direction of the emitted light signal and the sensing unit sensing the emitted light signal; or, generate non-polarization information based on the second electrical signal, the non-polarization information being used to generate a non-polarized image.

[0149] Furthermore, the image processing device 1102 is also configured to receive instruction information, which instructs the generation of polarization information or the generation of non-polarization information. Specifically, when the instruction information instructs the generation of polarization information: the image processing device 1102 generates the polarization information according to the correspondence and the first electrical signal. This polarization information is used to generate a polarized image. The first electrical signal includes electrical signals generated by different sensing units in the polarization image sensor 1101 sensing polarized light signals with different polarization directions. Electrical signals output by at least two of the sensing units are used to generate a pixel in the polarization image. When the instruction information instructs the generation of non-polarization information: the image processing device 1102 generates non-polarization information according to the second electrical signal. This non-polarization information is used to generate a non-polarized image. The second electrical signal includes electrical signals output by each sensing unit in the polarization image sensor 1101. Electrical signals output by at least one sensing unit are used to generate a pixel in the non-polarized image.

[0150] The camera device 110 provided in this application is equipped with the polarization image sensor 1101 proposed in this application. Therefore, the camera device 110 can capture both polarized and non-polarized images (e.g., ordinary high-definition images).

[0151] Specifically, when the polarization image sensor 1101 contains only polarization-inducing regions and non-polarization-inducing regions:

[0152] The image processing device 1102 is used to acquire a third electrical signal and a fourth electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor 1101 according to a correspondence relationship. The third electrical signal is an electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor 1101 sensing an optical signal from a polarization region, and the fourth electrical signal is an electrical signal generated by the polarization image sensor 1101 sensing an optical signal from a non-polarization region. The correspondence relationship is the correspondence between the polarization state of the third optical signal and the sensing unit that senses the third optical signal. The image processing device 1102 is used to generate polarization information according to the correspondence relationship and the third electrical signal, and to generate non-polarization information according to the fourth electrical signal. The non-polarization information is used to generate a non-polarized image.

[0153] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0154] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A polarized image sensor, characterized by, The application relates to a polarized light sensor, which comprises: a control circuit, a guest-host effect box and a photoelectric sensing layer, the guest-host effect box is located on the photosensitive side of the photoelectric sensing layer, and the control circuit is connected with two electrodes of the guest-host effect box. The guest-host effect box comprises liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules, and the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules is determined by the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The control circuit is used for controlling the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules by controlling the voltage between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box. The guest-host effect box is used for receiving an incident light signal and outputting an emergent light signal, wherein the emergent light signal is a light signal determined based on the polarization state in the incident light signal and the long axis orientation of the dichroic dye molecules, and the emergent light signal is a polarized light signal or an unpolarized light signal. The photoelectric sensing layer is used for sensing the polarized light signal to generate a first electric signal, the first electric signal is used for generating polarization information, and the polarization information is used for generating a polarization image; or the photoelectric sensing layer is used for sensing the unpolarized light signal to generate a second electric signal, the second electric signal is used for generating non-polarization information, and the non-polarization information is used for generating a non-polarization image. The liquid crystal molecules are positive liquid crystal molecules, the positive liquid crystal molecules have a first pre-tilt angle, the first pre-tilt angle is the included angle between the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules and an alignment layer in the guest-host effect box when no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box, and the first pre-tilt angle ranges from 0 to 10 degrees. Alternatively, The liquid crystal molecules are negative liquid crystal molecules, the negative liquid crystal molecules have a second pre-tilt angle, the second pre-tilt angle is the included angle between the long axis orientation of the negative liquid crystal molecules and an alignment layer in the guest-host effect box when no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box, and the second pre-tilt angle ranges from 80 to 90 degrees. The dichroic dye molecules are positive dichroic dye molecules, and the spatial relationship between the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules and the photoelectric sensing layer is used for determining whether the guest-host effect box outputs a polarized light signal or an unpolarized light signal.

2. The polarized image sensor of claim 1, wherein The long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules is parallel to the photoelectric sensing layer.

3. The polarized image sensor of claim 2, wherein, The guest-host effect box is specifically used for controlling the polarized light component in the incident light signal of a first polarization direction to pass through the guest-host effect box, so that the polarized light signal is obtained, and the first polarization direction is perpendicular to the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules. The photoelectric sensing layer is specifically used for sensing the polarized light signal to generate the first electric signal. The long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules is perpendicular to the photoelectric sensing layer.

4. The polarized image sensor of claim 2, wherein, The guest-host effect box is specifically used for controlling the incident light signal to pass through the guest-host effect box, so that the unpolarized light signal is obtained. The photoelectric sensing layer is specifically used for sensing the unpolarized light signal to generate the second electric signal. When the following conditions are met, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules is parallel to the photoelectric sensing layer:

5. The polarized image sensor of claim 2, wherein, ​ The liquid crystal molecules are positive liquid crystal molecules, and no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box. Or, The liquid crystal molecules are negative liquid crystal molecules, and a first preset bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box, so that the long axis orientation of the negative liquid crystal molecules deflects to be parallel to the direction of the photoelectric sensing layer.

6. The polarized image sensor of claim 2, wherein, When the following conditions are met, the long axis orientation of the positive dichroic dye molecules is perpendicular to the photoelectric sensing layer: The liquid crystal molecules are positive liquid crystal molecules, and a second preset bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box, so that the long axis orientation of the positive liquid crystal molecules deflects to be perpendicular to the direction of the photoelectric sensing layer. Or, The liquid crystal molecules are negative liquid crystal molecules, and no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box.

7. The polarized image sensor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by The alignment layer includes a plurality of alignment areas, the alignment directions of the plurality of alignment areas are not completely the same, and the alignment directions are used to determine the long axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules when no bias voltage is applied between the two electrodes of the guest-host effect box.

8. The polarized image sensor of claim 7, wherein, The plurality of alignment areas include a plurality of polarization areas, the projection directions of the alignment directions of the plurality of polarization areas in the alignment layer are not completely the same, and the liquid crystal molecules in the polarization areas can deflect under the control of the bias voltage.

9. The polarized image sensor of claim 8, wherein, The plurality of polarization areas include a first alignment area and a second alignment area, the projection direction of the alignment direction of the first alignment area in the alignment layer is perpendicular to the projection direction of the alignment direction of the second alignment area in the alignment layer.

10. The polarized image sensor of claim 9, wherein, The plurality of polarization areas further include a third alignment area and a fourth alignment area, the projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment area in the alignment layer is perpendicular to the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment area in the alignment layer, and the projection direction of the alignment direction of the third alignment area in the alignment layer is different from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the first alignment area in the alignment layer by 45°, and the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fourth alignment area in the alignment layer is different from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the second alignment area in the alignment layer by 45°.

11. The polarized image sensor of claim 8, wherein, The plurality of polarization areas include a fifth alignment area and a sixth alignment area, the projection direction of the alignment direction of the fifth alignment area in the alignment layer is different from the projection direction of the alignment direction of the sixth alignment area in the alignment layer by 60°.

12. The polarized image sensor of claim 7, wherein, The photoelectric sensing layer includes a plurality of sensing units, each of the sensing units is used to sense a light signal to generate an electric signal, and the electric signal generated by at least one of the sensing units is used to generate one pixel in an image; each of the alignment areas corresponds to at least one of the sensing units on the photoelectric sensing layer.

13. An image pickup device, characterized by comprising: The image processing device and the polarization image sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The image processing device and the polarization image sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The image processing apparatus is configured to receive a first electric signal or a second electric signal generated by the polarization image sensor, wherein the first electric signal is generated by the polarization image sensor in response to a polarized light signal, and the second electric signal is generated by the polarization image sensor in response to an unpolarized light signal. The image processing apparatus is further configured to generate polarization information according to a correspondence relationship and the first electric signal, wherein the correspondence relationship is a correspondence relationship between a polarization direction of an outgoing light signal and a sensing unit that senses the outgoing light signal, and the polarization information is used to generate a polarization image; or generate non-polarization information according to the second electric signal, and the non-polarization information is used to generate a non-polarization image.

14. The camera of claim 13, wherein, The image processing apparatus is further configured to receive indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether to generate the polarization information or the non-polarization information.

15. The camera of claim 14, wherein, When the indication information is used to indicate to generate the polarization information: The image processing apparatus is configured to generate the polarization information according to the correspondence relationship and the first electric signal, wherein the polarization information is used to generate a polarization image, the first electric signal includes electric signals generated by different sensing units in the polarization image sensor in response to polarized light signals with different polarization directions, and electric signals output by at least two of the sensing units are used to generate one pixel in the polarization image.

16. The camera of claim 14, wherein, When the indication information is used to indicate to generate the non-polarization information: The image processing apparatus is configured to generate non-polarization information according to the second electric signal, wherein the non-polarization information is used to generate a non-polarization image, the second electric signal includes electric signals output by each sensing unit in the polarization image sensor, and electric signals output by at least one of the sensing units are used to generate one pixel in the non-polarization image.

Images