Multifunctional CIS Collimator for Ambient Infrared Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact image sensors (CIS) employ thick glass filters to block ambient infrared noise, resulting in a bulky and costly assembly.
Innovation Solution
A method for integrating a filter function into a collimator structure for CIS, which aligns incident light and filters ambient noise using a compact design and low-cost materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a thick glass filter is used to filter ambient infrared noise, then the filtering effectiveness is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the collimator structure with the infrared filter function by depositing infrared-absorbing material directly on the collimator surface. This integration eliminates the need for a separate thick glass filter, achieving effective infrared noise filtering while maintaining a compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator is designed to perform multiple functions: it continues to serve its primary purpose of light alignment while simultaneously functioning as an infrared filter through the deposited material. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a thick glass filter is used to filter ambient infrared noise, then the filtering effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the filter function into the existing collimator structure through material deposition, the patent eliminates the need for a separate thick glass filter component. This reduces material costs, assembly complexity, and overall manufacturing expenses while maintaining effective infrared noise filtering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin layer of infrared-absorbing material deposited on the collimator instead of a thick glass filter. This thinner, more material-efficient solution reduces both material costs and manufacturing complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a thick glass filter is used to filter ambient infrared noise, then the filtering effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collimator and infrared filter into a single integrated component. The collimator structure serves dual purposes: light alignment and infrared filtering. This integration simplifies the overall device architecture, reduces the number of components, and decreases assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it maintains its primary light-alignment function while also serving as an infrared filter through the deposited material. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device design.
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
The solution provides effective filtering of ambient infrared noise while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design, suitable for use in CIS devices.
Implementation Method 1
filtering of ambient infrared noise
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cost-effective method to fabricate a multifunctional collimator structure for contact image sensors to filter ambient infrared light to reduce noises. In one embodiment, an optical collimator, includes: a dielectric layer; a substrate; a plurality of via holes; and a conductive layer, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, wherein the plurality of via holes are configured as an array along a lateral direction of a first surface of the dielectric layer, wherein each of the plurality of via holes extends through the dielectric layer and the substrate from the first surface of the dielectric layer to a second surface of the substrate in a vertical direction, and wherein the conductive layer is formed over at least one of the following: the first surface of the first dielectric layer and a portion of sidewalls of each of the plurality of via holes, and wherein the conductive layer is configured so as to allow the optical collimator to filter light in a range of wavelengths.