Optical Sensor With Angle-Shift Filtering for Orientation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spatial acquisition between optical communication devices, such as satellites, is difficult, costly, complex, and time-consuming due to the need for multiple scanning schemes to align line of sight, requiring resource-intensive physical movement.

Innovation Solution

An optical sensor device with an optical filter and element that utilizes an angle shift characteristic to direct light beams to specific sensor elements based on spectral and incidence angle ranges, enabling orientation determination without conventional scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple scanning schemes are used to align line of sight between optical communication devices, then orientation accuracy is improved, but time consumption and resource usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with an optical filter-based system that uses angle shift characteristics. Instead of physically moving sensors to scan for orientation, the system uses optical filters that automatically direct light beams from different angles to different sensor elements, enabling simultaneous multi-angle detection without mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spectral dimension to the orientation detection problem. By using optical filters with angle shift characteristics that separate light beams based on both angle and wavelength, the system transforms a one-dimensional angular scanning problem into a two-dimensional spectral-angular space, allowing simultaneous measurement of multiple angles through spectral separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple scanning schemes are used to align line of sight, then orientation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple scanners and sensors into a single integrated optical filter system. The optical filter combines wavelength selection and angle-dependent directionality in one component, eliminating the need for separate scanning mechanisms and multiple sensors, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If physical movement is used for spatial acquisition, then line of sight alignment is achieved, but resource consumption and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment capabilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical movement entirely by replacing physical scanning with an optical field-based solution. The optical filter's angle shift characteristic allows the system to detect light from multiple angles simultaneously without any moving parts, thereby improving reliability and eliminating wear while maintaining alignment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of information

If conventional scanning is used for spatial acquisition, then orientation information is obtained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation informationVSAvoidacquisition speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous simultaneous measurement of light beams from multiple angles through the optical filter's angle shift characteristic. Instead of sequential scanning that stops and steps through different angles, the system continuously captures multi-angle information in parallel, dramatically improving acquisition speed while obtaining complete orientation information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates efficient and reliable orientation of optical communication devices by eliminating the need for resource-intensive scanning, improving durability and reducing time and resource consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an optical filter and an optical element. The optical filter has an angle shift characteristic associated with a spectral range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle shift characteristic: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS12449305B2Optical sensor device

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

An optical sensor device includes an optical filter, an optical element, and an optical sensor that includes a plurality of sensor elements. The optical filter is configured to pass, to the optical element, first light beams that are associated with a first subrange of a spectral range and that impinge on the optical filter within a first incidence angle range; and to pass, to the optical element, second light beams that are associated with a second subrange of the spectral range and that impinge on the optical filter within a second incidence angle range. The optical element is configured to cause, based on receiving the first light beams, the first light beams to be directed to a first region of an optical sensor; and to cause, based on receiving the second light beams, the second light beams to be directed to a second region of the optical sensor.