Flexible Image Sensor with Light-Blocking Correction Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible image sensors used in medical or industrial X-ray radiography suffer from image distortion due to bending, particularly in areas like the oral cavity, where existing methods lack effective correction techniques.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an image correction pattern made of light-blocking material on the image sensor panel or a detachable sheet, positioned at the peripheral and inner regions, which is used by an image processor to identify and correct distortion by comparing indicated and actual pattern positions and intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible image sensor is used to radiograph indented areas, then the sensor can be applied to complex geometries like the oral cavity, but image distortion occurs in bent regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching a correction pattern to the flexible image sensor before radiography. This correction pattern serves as a reference that is captured along with the image, enabling subsequent software-based distortion correction. The correction pattern is positioned and fixed in advance on the sensor surface, allowing the system to compensate for bending-induced distortion through image processing algorithms that use the pattern as a reference framework.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional film and screen methods are used for radiography, then image quality is maintained, but costs and time for development and storage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical film-screen system with a digital flexible image sensor that directly converts X-rays into electrical signals. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical development processes and physical film storage. The digital sensor captures images electronically, allowing for immediate processing, storage, and retrieval without the time-consuming and resource-intensive film development workflow.
3Device complexity
If no correction method is applied to flexible sensor images, then the system remains simple, but distortion correction capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction pattern as a mediator between the flexible sensor and the image processing system. This pattern acts as a reference framework that bridges the gap between the distorted image data and the desired accurate representation. The correction pattern is captured simultaneously with the image, and processing algorithms use it to calculate and apply distortion corrections, thereby recovering accurate spatial information without significantly complicating the overall system architecture.
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
Effectively corrects image distortion in flexible image sensors, ensuring accurate image processing and diagnosis by matching the image correction pattern with the actual pattern, thereby enhancing the quality of radiographic images.
Implementation Method 1
an image correction pattern positioned at a front of the photoelectric conversion element in a direction of an incident surface to which the light is incident, the image correction pattern being formed of a material blocking the light
Implementation Method 2
multiple pixels provided in an active area where incident light is detected, the multiple pixels having a photoelectric conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an image sensor having a flexible property, the image sensor includes multiple pixels provided in an active area where incident light is detected, the multiple pixels having a photoelectric conversion element and an image correction pattern positioned at a front of the photoelectric conversion element in a direction of an incident surface to which the light is incident, the image correction pattern being formed of a material blocking the light.