Image Formation System Multi-Directional Illumination Resolution Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image sensors face limitations in achieving resolutions beyond their intrinsic resolution, and existing methods for enhancing resolution are either complex or impractical for practical usability in imaging systems.
Innovation Solution
The system generates high-resolution images by combining multiple images obtained by changing the radiation direction of illuminating light, allowing light to pass through different regions of an object and using pixel values from various directions to create a high-resolution image with increased resolution, while also detecting and removing noise caused by foreign objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images are combined from different radiation directions to increase resolution, then resolution exceeds intrinsic resolution, but device complexity and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from capturing images in a single radiation direction to capturing images from multiple radiation directions. This adds a directional dimension to the imaging process, enabling resolution beyond the intrinsic resolution limit through synthesis of multi-directional image data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple discrete steps: capturing images from different radiation directions, detecting noise in each image, removing detected noise, and synthesizing a high-resolution image. This segmentation makes the complex resolution-enhancement process manageable and systematic
2Ease of operation
If noise detection and removal processes are simplified for practical usability, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs noise detection before image synthesis by comparing pixel values across multiple images captured from different radiation directions. This preliminary noise detection and removal action simplifies the overall process while maintaining precision, as noise is eliminated before the complex synthesis step
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 effectively increases the resolution of images beyond the intrinsic limit of the image sensor and improves the practical usability by simplifying the process of noise detection and removal, resulting in clearer high-resolution images.
Implementation Method 1
The photoelectric converters, typically photodiodes formed on a semiconductor layer or a semiconductor substrate, receive incident light and generate electric charge.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2B~3A
Figure 3B~4A
AI summary
An image generating system (1000) according to the present disclosure includes an image obtaining device (100), an image generating circuit (140), and an image processing circuit (150). The image obtaining device (100) includes an illuminating system (30a) that irradiates an object included in a module in which the object and an imaging element are integrated together, with light sequentially from a plurality of different radiation directions. The image obtaining device (100) obtains a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of different radiation directions. The image generating circuit (140) generates a high-resolution image of the object having a higher resolution than each of the plurality of images by combining the plurality of images together. The image processing circuit (150) detects noise resulting from a foreign object located farther from an imaging surface of the imaging element than the object and removes the noise.