Depth Sensing Pixels with Asymmetric Angular Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with depth sensing capabilities require complex arrangements and additional components, such as multiple image sensors or lenticular arrays, which lead to reduced spatial resolution and increased cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The design of image sensors with depth sensing pixels that have an asymmetric angular response, where the photosensitive area is partially masked to produce different signal outputs based on the angle of incident light, allowing for depth sensing without the need for multiple sensors or complex lens arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image sensors or lenticular arrays are used for depth sensing, then depth sensing capability is achieved, but spatial resolution is reduced and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines depth sensing and color imaging functions into a single pixel array. Each pixel is equipped with both a color filter and a microlens, allowing simultaneous capture of color and depth information without requiring separate sensor arrays or complex optical components like lenticular arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging lens serves multiple functions: it focuses light for color imaging and simultaneously enables depth sensing by creating angle-dependent focal shifts. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated depth sensing optics, reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image sensors or lenticular arrays are used for depth sensing, then depth sensing capability is achieved, but spatial resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines depth sensing and color imaging functions into a single pixel array. Each pixel is equipped with both a color filter and a microlens, allowing simultaneous capture of color and depth information without requiring separate sensor arrays or complex optical components like lenticular arrays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image sensors or lenticular arrays are used for depth sensing, then depth sensing capability is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines depth sensing and color imaging functions into a single pixel array. Each pixel is equipped with both a color filter and a microlens, allowing simultaneous capture of color and depth information without requiring separate sensor arrays or complex optical components like lenticular arrays.
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
This approach enables electronic devices to effectively provide depth sensing capabilities while maintaining spatial resolution and reducing complexity and cost, by using pixel pairs that partition the imaging lens pupil and calculate depth signals from the difference in output signals of adjacent pixels.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the pixels may include a microlens that focuses incident light through a color filter onto a substrate region
Implementation Method 2
Each pixel receives incident photons (light) and converts the photons into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An imager may include depth sensing pixels that provide an asymmetrical angular response to incident light. The depth sensing pixels may each include a substrate region formed from a photosensitive portion and a non-photosensitive portion. The depth sensing pixels may include mechanisms that prevent regions of the substrate from receiving incident light. Depth sensing pixel pairs may be formed from depth sensing pixels that have different asymmetrical angular responses. Each of the depth sensing pixel pairs may effectively divide the corresponding imaging lens into separate portions. Depth information for each depth sensing pixel pair may be determined based on the difference between output signals of the depth sensing pixels of that depth sensing pixel pair. The imager may be formed from various combinations of depth sensing pixel pairs and color sensing pixel pairs arranged in a Bayer pattern or other desired patterns.