Detection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a detection device comprising: a light source device including a plurality of light-emitting elements; a light-transmissive mounting substrate on which an object to be detected is mounted; an electronic shutter having divided regions that are plurally divided; and an optical sensor including a plurality of detection regions disposed in a planar arrangement. The detection regions include light-detecting elements. Each of the plurality of light-emitting elements, each of the plurality of divided regions of the electronic shutter, and each of the plurality of detection regions overlap one another when viewed from the Z direction.

Description

Detection device

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a biosensor including an optical sensor having a photosensor (light detection element), a culture vessel placed on top of the imaging surface of the photosensor, and a light emitting element arranged above the culture vessel. In the biosensor of Patent Document 1, light emitted from the light emitting element passes through the culture medium and multiple detectable substances (microorganisms) in the culture vessel and enters the photosensor.

[0003] JP 2018-033430 A

[0004] In such a detection device, if multiple light-emitting elements are arranged, light from different directions will be irradiated onto a single object to be detected from the multiple light-emitting elements, which may result in blurring of the image captured by the optical sensor.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a detection device that can improve detection accuracy.

[0006] A detection device of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a light source device including a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a plane; a translucent mounting substrate arranged on one side in a first direction with respect to the light source device and on which a detectable object is mounted; an electronic shutter arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the mounting substrate and having a plurality of divided regions arranged in a plane; and an optical sensor arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the electronic shutter and including a plurality of detection regions arranged in a plane, wherein each of the detection regions includes one or more light-detecting elements, the plurality of divided regions in the electronic shutter can be switched between transmissive and non-transmissive on a per-division basis, the plurality of light-emitting elements can be switched between lit and non-lit on a per-division basis, and each of the plurality of light-emitting elements, each of the plurality of divided regions of the electronic shutter, and each of the plurality of detection regions overlap when viewed from the first direction.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a detection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a top panel is removed from the device illustrated in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the detection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a light control panel (liquid crystal panel) functioning as an electronic shutter. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the detection device. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a projection area of ​​light emitted from a light-emitting element. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the detection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a light source device according to an embodiment in a plan view. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an electronic shutter according to an embodiment in a plan view. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an optical sensor according to an embodiment in a plan view. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example detection operation of the detection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the order in which light-emitting elements are turned on. FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating the order in which the electronic shutter is opened. FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the order in which photodetection elements of the detection device perform detection.

[0008] Modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components described below include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially identical. Furthermore, the components described below can be combined as appropriate. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and any appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive while maintaining the gist of the present disclosure are naturally included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0009] In addition, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in this disclosure and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous drawings may be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] In the drawings, the XYZ coordinate system has the Z direction (first direction) as the up-down direction, the X direction (second direction) as the left-right direction, and the Y direction (third direction) as the front-to-back direction. The X direction intersects (is perpendicular to) the Y and Z directions, the Y direction intersects (is perpendicular to) the X and Z directions, and the Z direction intersects (is perpendicular to) the X and Y directions. The Z1 side is one side of the first direction, and the Z2 side is the other side of the first direction. Note that a plan view refers to a state viewed from the Z direction (first direction).

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a detection device according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a top plate is removed from Fig. 1 .

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the detection device 100 has, for example, a substantially box-like shape. The detection device 100 includes a housing 3 and a holding member 4. The housing 3 has a top plate 31 and side plates 32 and 33. The holding member 4 has a plate 41 and a base plate 42. A container 110 is placed on the plate 41. A front holding portion 42c and a rear holding portion 42d are provided at the four corners of the base plate 42. The front holding portion 42c and the rear holding portion 42d are biased upward (toward Z1) by a spring 5. Because the container 110 is placed on the plate 41, the plate 41 and the container 110 are biased upward (toward Z1) by the spring 5.

[0013] 3 is a schematic diagram of a detection device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection device 100 includes a light source device 7, a container 110, an electronic shutter 82, an optical sensor 81, and a spring 5.

[0014] The light source device 7 includes a light source substrate 72 and a plurality of light-emitting elements 71. The light-emitting elements 71 are, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this manner, the light source device 7 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 71 arranged in a plane.

[0015] The container 110 includes a mounting substrate 111 and a cover member 112. The container 110 is, for example, a petri dish. The container 110 is translucent. The mounting substrate 111 is disposed on the Z1 side of the light source device 7 and is a translucent substrate on which the object to be detected 114 is mounted.

[0016] In this embodiment, the container 110 is arranged upside down compared to a normal container. That is, in a normal container, the mounting substrate 111 is arranged on the lower side and the cover member 112 is arranged on the upper side. In contrast, the container 110 according to this embodiment has the mounting substrate 111 on the upper side and the cover member 112 on the lower side. The optical sensor 81 and the electronic shutter 82 are provided on the upper side (Z1 side) of the upside-down container 110, and the light source device 7 is provided on the lower side (Z2 side). A culture medium 113 is provided below the mounting substrate 111, and a detectable substance 114 is applied to the culture medium 113 (the lower surface of the culture medium 113). The detectable substance 114 is, for example, a microorganism such as bacteria or a sample containing a microorganism, which forms a colony on the culture medium 113 over time. The detectable substance 114 is not limited to bacteria and may be other microscopic objects such as cells.

[0017] The optical sensor 81 has an array substrate 811 and sensor pixels 812 (photodetection elements 813, photodiodes). The optical sensor 81 is disposed so as to overlap the electronic shutter 82 on the Z1 side. A plurality of sensor pixels 812 are provided on the surface of the array substrate 811 on the Z2 side. The electronic shutter 82 will be described later.

[0018] Light L emitted from the light-emitting element 71 passes through the cover member 112, the culture medium 113, the mounting substrate 111, and the divided regions of the electronic shutter 82 that are in a light-transmitting state (open state), and is irradiated toward the optical sensor 81. The amount of light irradiated onto the light detection element 813 (photodiode) of the optical sensor 81 differs between the region overlapping with the detectable substance 114 and the region not overlapping with the detectable substance 114. This allows the optical sensor 81 to image the detectable substance 114. In this way, the detection device 100 is a device that places the detectable substance 114 contained in the container 110 between the light source device 7 and the optical sensor 81, and monitors changes in the detectable substance 114 by imaging the detectable substance 114 with the optical sensor 81.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a dimming panel (liquid crystal panel) that functions as an electronic shutter. In this embodiment, a dimming panel 82A functions as an electronic shutter 82. In addition, in this embodiment, the dimming panel 82A is a liquid crystal panel 82B. That is, the electronic shutter 82 according to this embodiment is the liquid crystal panel 82B. The electronic shutter 82 controls the twist state of the liquid crystal molecules by turning on and off the voltage applied to the electrodes, thereby allowing the polarizer on the exit side of the liquid crystal layer LC2 to transmit or block light. Note that FIG. 4 shows three divided regions 820 divided in the X direction.

[0020] The light control panel 82A includes a first substrate 280a, a second substrate 280b, and a liquid crystal layer LC2. Specifically, the second substrate 280b is disposed at a distance from the first substrate 280a on the Z1 side, and the liquid crystal layer LC2 is provided between the second substrate 280b and the first substrate 280a.

[0021] The first substrate 280a includes a first deflector 289a, a first transparent substrate 283, insulating layers 287a, 287b, and 287c, a first electrode 281, and a first alignment film 290a. Specifically, the first deflector 289a, the first transparent substrate 283, the insulating layers 287a, 287b, and 287c, the first electrode 281, and the first alignment film 290a are stacked in this order from the Z2 side toward the Z1 side.

[0022] The second substrate 280b includes a second deflector 289b, a second transparent substrate 288, a second electrode 282, and a second alignment film 290b. Specifically, the second deflector 289b, the second transparent substrate 288, the second electrode 282, and the second alignment film 290b are stacked in this order from the Z1 side toward the Z2 side.

[0023] The first deflector 289a and the second deflector 289b are polarizing plates that transmit light components that vibrate in a predetermined direction out of the incident light and block light components that vibrate in directions other than that direction.

[0024] The first transparent substrate 283 and the second transparent substrate 288 are, for example, glass substrates. The first electrode 281 and the second electrode 282 are light-transmitting electrodes made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO). The first alignment film 290a and the second alignment film 290b are made of, for example, polyimide (PI). The alignment films are provided to control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules when it is necessary for the liquid crystal molecules to be aligned in one direction over a relatively wide area.

[0025] The dimming panel 82A also includes a switch SW configured, for example, by a TFT. The switch SW has a channel 284, a source 285a, a drain 285b, and a gate 285c mounted on a first transparent substrate 283 of the first substrate 280a. A potential based on a local dimming signal is applied to the source 285a. The drain 285b is electrically connected to a wiring 286. The switch SW switches whether or not to allow a drain current to flow to the first electrode 281 depending on whether or not a signal is applied to the gate 285c. Note that a first electrode 281, a second electrode 282, and one switch SW are arranged in each divided region 820.

[0026] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a detection device. As shown in Fig. 5, the detection device 100 has an optical sensor 81, an electronic shutter 82, and a host IC 75 that controls the light source device 7. The optical sensor 81 has an array substrate 811, a plurality of sensor pixels 812 (photodetection elements 813, photodiodes) formed on the array substrate 811, gate line drive circuits 814A and 814B, a signal line drive circuit 16A, and a detection control circuit 816.

[0027] The array substrate 811 is formed using the substrate 21 as a base. Each of the plurality of sensor pixels 812 includes a photodetector element 813, a plurality of transistors, and various wirings.

[0028] The array substrate 811 has a detection area AA and a peripheral area GA. The detection area AA is an area in which a plurality of sensor pixels 812 (a plurality of photodetection elements 813) are provided. The peripheral area GA is an area between the periphery of the detection area AA and the outer edge of the array substrate 811, and is an area in which a plurality of sensor pixels 812 are not provided. Gate line driving circuits 814A and 814B, a signal line driving circuit 815A, and a detection control circuit 816 are provided in the peripheral area GA.

[0029] Each of the plurality of sensor pixels 812 is an optical sensor having a light detection element (photodiode) 813 as a sensor element. The light detection element 813 outputs an electric signal according to the light irradiated thereon.

[0030] The detection control circuit 816 is a circuit that supplies control signals Sa, Sb, and Sc to the gate line driving circuits 814A, 814B and the signal line driving circuit 815A, respectively, and controls their operations. The detection control circuit 816 includes a signal processing circuit that processes the detection signals Vdet from the multiple photodetection elements 813.

[0031] The detection control circuit 816 processes the detection signals Vdet from the plurality of light detection elements 813, and outputs a sensor value So based on the detection signal Vdet to the host IC 75. In this way, the detection device 100 detects information related to the object 114 to be detected.

[0032] The electronic shutter 82 has a plurality of divided regions 820 and a second light-emitting element control circuit 822. Each of the divided regions 820 is arranged to overlap a plurality (for example, four) of light-detecting elements 813. The second light-emitting element control circuit 822 is a circuit that supplies a control signal Sg to each of the divided regions 820 and controls their operation.

[0033] The light source device 7 includes a light source substrate 72 , a plurality of light emitting elements 71 formed on the light source substrate 72 , gate line driving circuits 814C and 814D, a signal line driving circuit 815B, and a first light emitting element control circuit 74 .

[0034] The plurality of light-emitting elements 71 are arranged in a matrix in an area overlapping the detection area AA of the light source board 72. The light source board 72 is a drive circuit board that drives each of the light-emitting elements 71 by switching it between on (illuminated state) and off (unlit state). Each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 71 is arranged to overlap a corresponding one of the divided areas 820 of the electronic shutter 82.

[0035] The first light emitting element control circuit 74 is a circuit that supplies control signals Sd, Se, and Sf to the gate line driving circuits 814C, 814D and the signal line driving circuit 815B, respectively, and controls the operations thereof.

[0036] The host IC 75 has a sensor value storage circuit 751, a sensor value calculation circuit 752, a light amount setting circuit 753, and a target value storage circuit 759 as control circuits on the optical sensor 81 side. The sensor value storage circuit 751 stores the sensor value So output from the detection control circuit 816 of the optical sensor 81. The sensor value calculation circuit 752 performs a predetermined calculation process on the sensor value So of the light detection element 813.

[0037] In the light intensity setting mode, the light intensity setting circuit 753 compares the sensor value So detected by the plurality of light detection elements 813 with a preset target sensor value So-t acquired from the target value storage circuit 759, and sets the light intensity for detection by the plurality of light-emitting elements 71. The target value storage circuit 759 stores the preset target sensor value So-t.

[0038] The host IC 75 has a lighting pattern generation circuit 754 and a lighting pattern storage circuit 755 as control circuits on the light source device 7 side. The lighting pattern storage circuit 755 stores information on the light intensity of each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 71 in the light intensity setting mode.

[0039] The lighting pattern generation circuit 754 generates various control signals based on the information on the light intensity in the lighting pattern storage circuit 755 .

[0040] The host IC 75 has an image generation circuit 756 and a memory circuit 757. In the detection mode, the image generation circuit 756 generates an image of the detection target 114 based on the sensor values ​​So output from the multiple light detection elements 813. The memory circuit 757 stores the image data generated by the image generation circuit 756. The host IC 75 is connected to a host PC 758 and transfers the image data to the host PC 758.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a projection area of ​​light emitted from a light-emitting element. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a detection device according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a light source device according to an embodiment as viewed in plan. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electronic shutter according to an embodiment as viewed in plan. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an optical sensor according to an embodiment as viewed in plan.

[0042] 6, a total of 16 light-emitting elements 71 according to this embodiment are provided. The 16 light-emitting elements 71 are arranged in a matrix at equal intervals in the X and Y directions. Of these 16 light-emitting elements 71, the distance between adjacent light-emitting elements 71 in the X direction is distance d, and the distance between adjacent light-emitting elements 71 in the Y direction is also distance d.

[0043] 7, the light emitted from one light-emitting element 71 spreads radially upward (toward the Z1 side), and therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the projection area IA of light projected onto the optical sensor 81 without the electronic shutter 82 is a circle with a radius r and centered on the light-emitting element 71. Adjacent projection areas IA in the X direction or Y direction have an overlapping portion P indicated by hatching. This overlapping portion P causes the captured image of the object to be detected 114 to become blurred or hazy.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 8, a total of 16 light-emitting elements 71 according to this embodiment are provided. Each of the light-emitting elements 71 is lit one by one. That is, for example, during a unit period in which one light-emitting element 71-1 is lit, the other light-emitting elements 71 other than the light-emitting element 71-1 are in a non-lit state. In other words, the multiple light-emitting elements 71 can be switched between lit and non-lit individually.

[0045] As described above, the 16 light-emitting elements 71 are arranged in a matrix at equal intervals in the X and Y directions. Specifically, four rows are arranged along the X direction, and four columns are arranged along the Y direction. Regarding the rows, for example, the first row is located closest to the Y2 side. In the first row, four light-emitting elements 71 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, light-emitting elements 71-1, 71-2, 71-3, and 71-4 are arranged from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the second row, four light-emitting elements 71 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, light-emitting elements 71-5, 71-6, 71-7, and 71-8 are arranged from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the third row, four light-emitting elements 71 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, light-emitting elements 71-9, 71-10, 71-11, and 71-12 are lined up from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the fourth row, four light-emitting elements 71 are lined up at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, light-emitting elements 71-13, 71-14, 71-15, and 71-16 are lined up from the X2 side to the X1 side.

[0046] Regarding the columns, for example, the first column is located closest to the X2 side. In the first column, four light-emitting elements 71 are arranged at equal intervals from the Y2 side to the Y1 side. Similarly, in the second, third, and fourth columns, four light-emitting elements 71 are arranged at equal intervals from the Y2 side to the Y1 side.

[0047] 9, the electronic shutter 82 according to this embodiment is divided into a total of 16 areas in plan view from the Z direction. That is, the electronic shutter 82 has 16 divided areas 820 divided in the X and Y directions.

[0048] Each of the divided regions 820 is in a light-transmitting state. In other words, one divided region 820 that overlaps one lit light-emitting element 71 when viewed from the Z direction is in a light-transmitting state, and the divided regions 820 other than this one divided region 820 are in a non-light-transmitting state. In other words, the multiple divided regions 820 in the electronic shutter 82 can be switched between light-transmitting and non-light-transmitting for each divided region 820. During a period when one divided region 820 is in a light-transmitting state, the other divided regions 820 are in a closed state. In other words, the period when one divided region 820 is in a light-transmitting state is different from the period when the other divided regions 820 are in a light-transmitting state.

[0049] Adjacent divided regions 820 in the X or Y direction are arranged with no or very small gaps between them. Each divided region 820 has a square shape when viewed from the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the divided regions 820 are arranged in a matrix at equal intervals in the X and Y directions. The 16 divided regions 820 are arranged in a grid pattern at equal intervals in the X and Y directions. Specifically, similar to the arrangement of light-emitting elements, four rows are arranged along the X direction and four columns are arranged along the Y direction. Regarding the rows, for example, the first row is located closest to the Y2 side. In the first row, four divided regions 820 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, divided regions 82-1, 82-2, 82-3, and 82-4 are arranged from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the second row, four divided regions 820 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, divided regions 82-5, 82-6, 82-7, and 82-8 are arranged from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the third row, four divided regions 820 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, divided regions 82-9, 82-10, 82-11, and 82-12 are arranged from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the fourth row, four divided regions 820 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, divided regions 82-13, 82-14, 82-15, and 82-16 are arranged from the X2 side to the X1 side.

[0050] Regarding the columns, for example, the first column is located closest to the X2 side. In the first column, four divided regions 820 are arranged at equal intervals from the Y2 side to the Y1 side. Similarly, in the second, third, and fourth columns, four divided regions 820 are arranged at equal intervals from the Y2 side to the Y1 side.

[0051] In the present invention, the divided regions 820 are not limited to being square in plan view, and may be, for example, equilateral triangular in plan view, or may be polygonal with five or more sides.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10 , the optical sensor 81 includes multiple detection regions 810. Each detection region 810 includes one or more photodetection elements 813 (photodiodes). In this embodiment, each detection region 810 includes four photodetection elements 813, but the present invention is not limited to this and may include three or fewer, or five or more, photodetection elements 813. The detection regions 810 are arranged to correspond to the divided regions 820 of the electronic shutter 82. Specifically, the outline of the detection region 810 overlaps the outline of the divided regions 820 of the electronic shutter 82. Therefore, when viewed from the Z direction, the four photodetection elements 813 are arranged to overlap one divided region 820 of the electronic shutter.

[0053] The detection regions 810 are arranged in a matrix at equal intervals in the X and Y directions when viewed from the Z direction. The 16 detection regions 810 are arranged in a grid pattern at equal intervals in the X and Y directions. Specifically, similar to the arrangement of the divided regions 820 of the light-emitting element 71 and the electronic shutter 82, four rows are arranged along the X direction and four columns are arranged along the Y direction. Regarding the rows, for example, the first row is located closest to the Y2 side. In the first row, four detection regions 810 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the second row, four detection regions 810 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the third row, four detection regions 810 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side. In the fourth row, four detection regions 810 are arranged at equal intervals from the X2 side to the X1 side.

[0054] 5 , the light-emitting elements 71 overlap with the divided regions 820 of the electronic shutter 82 when viewed from the Z direction. The divided regions 820 of the electronic shutter 82 overlap with the photodetector elements 813 when viewed from the Z direction. Therefore, each of the multiple light-emitting elements 71, each of the multiple divided regions 820 of the electronic shutter 82, and each of the multiple detection regions 810 overlap when viewed from the Z direction. Note that in this embodiment, two or more light-emitting elements 71 may overlap with one divided region 820 of the electronic shutter 82. For example, the light-emitting elements 71 are configured with light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0055] 7, when viewed from the Z direction, divided region 82-1 overlaps with light-emitting element 71, divided region 82-2 overlaps with light-emitting element 71, divided region 82-3 overlaps with light-emitting element 71, and divided region 82-4 overlaps with light-emitting element 71. Light L1 emitted from light-emitting element 71 is irradiated onto the entire divided region 82-1 and part of divided region 82-2. Similarly, light L2 is irradiated onto the entire divided region 82-2, part of divided region 82-1, and part of divided region 82-3. Light L3 is irradiated onto the entire divided region 82-3, part of divided region 82-2, and part of divided region 82-4. Light L4 is irradiated onto the entire divided region 82-4, part of divided region 82-3, and part of divided region 82-1. The irradiation angle of the light emitted from light-emitting element 71 is angle θ1, and 114A is an image of the object to be detected.

[0056] Next, an example of the detection operation of the detection device will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

[0057] First, the lighting pattern generation circuit 754 (see FIG. 5) turns off all the light-emitting elements 71 and turns off all the divided regions 820 of the electronic shutter 82 (closed state) (step S101). As a result, all 16 light-emitting elements 71 shown in FIG. 8 are turned off, and all 16 divided regions 820 shown in FIG. 9 are turned off.

[0058] Next, the host IC 75 (see FIG. 5) sets the number n of the light emitting element 71 to n=1 (step S102).

[0059] Then, the lighting pattern generating circuit 754 lights up the light emitting element 71 corresponding to the number n (step S103). Specifically, the lighting pattern generating circuit 754 lights up the light emitting element 71-1 shown in FIG.

[0060] Next, in synchronization with the lighting of the light-emitting element 71-1 in step S103, the lighting pattern generation circuit 754 turns on (opens) the divided region 820 of the electronic shutter 82 corresponding to the number n (step S104). Specifically, the divided region 82-1 shown in FIG. 9 is turned on.

[0061] Then, the image generation circuit 756 (see FIG. 5) generates the divided image data corresponding to the number n and stores it in the storage circuit 757 (step S105). As a result, the divided image data corresponding to the divided area 82-1 shown in FIG. 9 is generated and stored.

[0062] The lighting pattern generating circuit 754 turns off the light emitting element corresponding to the number n (step S106). Specifically, the lighting pattern generating circuit 754 turns off the light emitting element 71-1 shown in FIG.

[0063] Furthermore, in synchronization with the turning off of the light-emitting element 71-1 in step S106, the lighting pattern generation circuit 754 turns off (closes) the divided region 820 of the electronic shutter 82 corresponding to the number n (step S107). Specifically, the divided region 82-1 shown in FIG. 9 is turned off.

[0064] The host IC 75 determines whether the number n is the final value (step S108), and if it determines that the number n is not the final value (step S108, No), the host IC updates the number n of the light-emitting element to n=n+1 (step S109). For example, it updates n=1 to n=2, and returns to steps S103 and S104.

[0065] Then, the processes from steps S103 and S104 to steps S106 and S107 are performed, and it is again determined whether or not the number n is the final value (step S108), and the processes are repeated until the number n becomes the final value.

[0066] Here, with reference to Figures 12, 13 and 14, we will explain in detail the order in which the light-emitting elements 71 light up, the order in which the divided areas 820 of the electronic shutter 82 become light-transmitting, and the order in which the light-detecting elements 813 included in the detection area 810 of the optical sensor 81 detect each other.

[0067] As shown in Figure 12, the light-emitting elements 71 in the first row are turned on one by one toward the X1 side, and as shown in Figure 13, the divided areas 820 in the first row of the electronic shutter 82 are turned on one by one toward the X1 side, and as shown in Figure 14, the light-detecting elements 813 detect the detection areas 810 in the first row one by one in sequence.

[0068] For example, when light-emitting element 71-1 shown in FIG. 12 is lit as indicated by dotted hatching, divided region 82-1 of electronic shutter 82 shown in FIG. 13 becomes light-transmitting, and detection is performed by four photodetection elements 813 included in detection region 810 in the first row and first column shown in FIG. 14. Next, light-emitting element 71-2, which is one position shifted toward the X1 side, turns on, divided region 82-2 becomes light-transmitting, and detection is performed by one detection region 810 overlapping divided region 82-2. After that, this lighting and detection is performed one by one in the first row, and then moves to the second row. Specifically, light-emitting element 71-5 in the second row and first column turns on, divided region 82-5 becomes light-transmitting, and detection is performed by one detection region 810 overlapping divided region 82-5. Detection continues thereafter by detection areas 810 shifted one by one toward the X1 side, and when the second row is completed, similar detection is repeated from the third row to the fourth row, with the detection by the detection area 810 located in the fourth row and fourth column being the final detection.

[0069] 11, when the host IC 75 determines that the number n is the final value (step S108, Yes), the image generation circuit 756 generates composite image data by combining all the divided image data (step S110). As a result, composite image data is generated for all the areas shown in FIG. 14. The image generation circuit 756 then transfers the composite image data to the host PC 758 (step S111).

[0070] As described above, the detection device 100 includes the light source device 7, the light-transmitting mounting substrate 111, the electronic shutter 82 having the plurality of segmented regions 820, and the optical sensor 81 including the plurality of detection regions 810. Each detection region 810 includes one or more photodetection elements 813. Each of the plurality of segmented regions 820 in the electronic shutter 82 can be switched between light-transmitting and non-light-transmitting, and each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 71 can be switched between lit and unlit. Each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 71, each of the plurality of segmented regions 820 in the electronic shutter 82, and each of the plurality of detection regions 810 overlap when viewed in the Z direction.

[0071] As mentioned above, when multiple light-emitting elements 71 are arranged, light from different directions is irradiated onto a single object to be detected 114 from the multiple light-emitting elements 71, which may result in blurring of the image captured by the optical sensor 81.

[0072] In contrast, in this embodiment, each of the multiple light-emitting elements 71, each of the multiple divided regions 820 of the electronic shutter 82, and each of the multiple detection regions 810 of the optical sensor 81 overlap when viewed in the Z direction. Therefore, by turning on one light-emitting element 71 and putting the divided region 820 of the electronic shutter 82 that is arranged to overlap with that one light-emitting element 71 into a light-transmitting state, multiple light beams are prevented from entering the detection region 810 of the optical sensor 81 that is arranged to overlap the divided region 820 in the light-transmitting state. This makes it possible to reduce blurring of the image captured by the optical sensor 81.

[0073] The electronic shutter 82 is a liquid crystal panel 82B. Liquid crystal panels are widely used, so they are easily available and inexpensive. Therefore, the number of steps required to manufacture the detection device 100 can be reduced, and costs can also be reduced.

[0074] During a unit period in which one light-emitting element 71 is lit, the light-emitting elements 71 other than that one light-emitting element 71 are in a non-lit state, one divided area 820 that overlaps with that one light-emitting element 71 when viewed from the Z direction is in a translucent state, and the divided areas 820 other than that one divided area 820 are in a non-translucent state.

[0075] According to this, one light-emitting element 71 is turned on, and only the divided region 820 of the electronic shutter 82 that is arranged to overlap with the one light-emitting element 71 is set to a light-transmitting state, and the divided regions 820 other than the one divided region 820 are set to a light-non-transmitting state. Therefore, the light L that passes through the divided region 820 in the light-transmitting state is limited to the light L emitted from the one light-emitting element 71. This makes it possible to further reduce blurring of the image captured by the optical sensor 81.

[0076] The plurality of light-emitting elements 71, the plurality of divided regions 820, and the plurality of detection regions 810 are arranged in a matrix along the X direction and the Y direction. When N is a natural number, each of the plurality of photodetector elements 813 sequentially detects light from the light-emitting elements 71 in N rows along the X direction, and after detection in the Nth row is completed, the light from the light-emitting elements 71 in the N+1th row is sequentially detected along the X direction.

[0077] In this way, light L is detected in each detection area 810 in turn, and by combining the images detected in all of the detection areas 810, an image with higher detection accuracy can be obtained.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and includes various other aspects. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when one light-emitting element 71 is lit, the divided region 820 overlapping the lit light-emitting element 71 is set to a light-transmitting state. However, for example, during a unit period in which a certain light-emitting element 71 (first light-emitting element) is lit, light-emitting elements 71 other than the light-emitting element 71 (first light-emitting element) may also be set to a light-transmitting state, and the divided region 820 (first divided region) overlapping these lit light-emitting elements 71 may be set to a light-transmitting state, and an image may be captured by the optical sensor 81. However, to prevent multiple light beams L from entering a specific light detection element 813 from the surroundings, the divided region 820 (second divided region) surrounding the divided region 820 (first divided region) overlapping the lit light-emitting element 71 (first light-emitting element) may be set to a light-non-transmitting state.

[0079] 7 Light source device 71 Light emitting element 81 Optical sensor 810 Detection area 813 Photodetection element (photodiode) 82 Electronic shutter 82A Light control panel 82B Liquid crystal panel 820 Divided area 100 Detection device 111 Mounting substrate 114 Object to be detected L Light

Claims

1. A detection device comprising: a light source device including a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a plane; a translucent mounting substrate arranged to overlap one side of the light source device in a first direction and on which a detectable object is mounted; an electronic shutter arranged to overlap one side of the mounting substrate in the first direction and having a plurality of divided regions arranged in a plane; and an optical sensor arranged to overlap one side of the electronic shutter in the first direction and including a plurality of detection regions arranged in a plane, wherein one of the detection regions includes one or more photodetection elements, the plurality of divided regions in the electronic shutter can be switched between translucent and non-translucent for each divided region, and the plurality of light-emitting elements can each be switched between lit and unlit, and each of the plurality of light-emitting elements, each of the plurality of divided regions of the electronic shutter, and each of the plurality of detection regions overlap when viewed in the first direction.

2. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic shutter is a liquid crystal panel.

3. A detection device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, during a unit period in which a first light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements is lit, at least light-emitting elements that overlap with second divided regions located around the first divided region other than the first divided region that the first light-emitting element overlaps with when viewed from the first direction are in a non-lit state, the first divided region is in a light-transmitting state, and the second divided region is in a non-light-transmitting state.

4. The detection device described in claim 3, wherein the multiple light-emitting elements, the multiple divided regions, and the multiple detection regions are arranged in a matrix along a second direction intersecting the first direction and a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and when N is a natural number, in the photodetection elements arranged in N rows, detection is performed sequentially from one end to the other end of the second direction with light from one of the multiple light-emitting elements, and after detection in the Nth row is completed, in the photodetection elements in the N+1th row, detection is performed sequentially from one end to the other end of the second direction with the light from one of the light-emitting elements.