Flare-Suppressing Image Sensor with Alternating Microlenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Petal flare in camera image sensors occurs due to light scattering from one lens onto another, causing image distortion, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flare-suppressing image sensor design that alternates pixels with microlenses and sub-microlenses, where sub-microlenses are aligned with alternating pixels to reduce light interference and scatter, using periodic or random patterns to minimize petal flare buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a microlens array is aligned to each pixel in a periodic array, then light focusing efficiency is improved, but petal flare artifacts increase due to diffraction and reflection between lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The microlens array is segmented into two distinct types: full-sized microlenses aligned with first pixels and reduced-sized sub-microlenses aligned with second pixels. This segmentation breaks the uniform periodic structure that causes constructive diffraction, thereby reducing petal flare while maintaining light focusing efficiency through the alternating pattern of different lens sizes
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the image sensor are assigned different lens characteristics - first pixels receive full-sized microlenses for maximum light collection, while second pixels receive reduced sub-microlenses for flare suppression. This local differentiation optimizes each region's function to balance focusing efficiency and artifact reduction
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alternating pixels use microlenses and sub-microlenses, then petal flare is reduced, but device complexity increases due to multiple lens types
Solution Approach 1:
Both microlenses and sub-microlenses serve the universal function of focusing light onto pixels, but with different sizes for different purposes. This multi-functionality allows a single lens system to perform both high-efficiency light collection and flare suppression without requiring entirely separate optical paths or additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-microlenses are nested within the same optical plane and substrate structure as the full-sized microlenses, with both lens types integrated into a unified sensor architecture. This nesting approach reduces overall device complexity by maintaining a compact, layered structure rather than adding separate flare-suppression systems
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
Significantly reduces petal flare by effectively managing light scatter through the use of sub-microlenses, improving image quality by minimizing distortion caused by light interference between lenses.
Implementation Method 1
A flare-suppressing image sensor includes a plurality of pixels including a first set of pixels and a second set of pixels. The flare-suppressing image sensor further includes a plurality of microlenses each aligned to a respective one of the first set of pixels. The flare-suppressing image sensor further includes a plurality of sub-microlens arrays each aligned to a respective one of the second set of pixels.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein reduce petal flare. A flare-suppressing image sensor includes a plurality of pixels including a first set of pixels and a second set of pixels. The flare-suppressing image sensor further includes plurality of microlenses, where each microlens is aligned to a respective one of the first set of pixels. The flare-suppressing image sensor further includes plurality of sub-microlens, where each microlens array is aligned to a respective one of the second set of pixels.