Detection Device Super-Resolution via Dynamic Light Emission Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection devices with optical sensors face a challenge in achieving image resolution higher than the sensor resolution, particularly due to the larger arrangement pitch of optical sensors compared to pixels.
Innovation Solution
A detection device is designed with a plurality of photodiodes on a substrate, light emitters arranged to face the photodiodes, and a collimating lens that emits parallel light towards the photodiodes. The light emitters are selectively brought into a lit or unlit state, and the collimating lens adjusts the emission angle based on the position of the lit light emitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical sensors are used with a larger arrangement pitch, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the resolution of the detection device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of light emitter states (lit/unlit transitions) to achieve super-resolution. By sequentially activating different light emitters and capturing multiple images at different emission angles, the system dynamically reconstructs high-resolution information from lower-resolution sensor data, resolving the contradiction between simplified sensor structure and high detection resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the emission angle parameter of light by controlling the position of lit light emitters. By varying this parameter across multiple captures and combining the results through super-resolution processing, the system achieves higher resolution without requiring higher-resolution sensors, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If multiple light emitters are used with different emission angles, then super-resolution images can be generated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light source into multiple independent light emitters, each capable of emitting light at different angles. This segmentation allows the system to capture multiple images at different emission angles and process them separately through super-resolution algorithms, achieving high resolution while keeping each individual component simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the emission angle as an additional dimension to the traditional image capture process. Instead of only capturing images at a single angle, the system captures images at multiple emission angles, adding a new dimension of information that enables super-resolution reconstruction without significantly increasing the complexity of individual sensors
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 configuration enables the generation of super-resolution images by combining multiple images with positional shifts, resulting in a higher resolution than the individual sensor pixels, without the need for complex mechanical movements.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating lens that is located between the photodiodes and the light emitters and is configured to emit parallel light toward the photodiodes
Implementation Method 2
The collimating lens is configured to emit the parallel light at a different emission angle depending on a position of the light emitter in the lit state
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of photodiodes provided on a substrate
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a detection device includes: a plurality of photodiodes provided on a substrate; a plurality of light emitters arranged so as to face the photodiodes; and a collimating lens that is located between the photodiodes and the light emitters and is configured to emit parallel light toward the photodiodes. At least one of the light emitters is configured to be brought into a lit state and other of the light emitters are configured to be brought into an unlit state. The collimating lens is configured to emit the parallel light at a different emission angle depending on a position of the light emitter in the lit state.