Image Sensing Module Light Guide Depth of Field

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing contact image sensors (CIS) face limitations in depth of field (DOF) due to the imaging principle of rod lenses, requiring objects to be extremely flat and increasing the cost and volume of the product to enhance DOF.

Innovation Solution

The proposed image sensing module includes a substrate with an optical sensing element and a light-guide component featuring multiple light adjusting layers with light transmitting regions, which allow only specific-angle light to reach the optical sensing element, effectively increasing DOF while reducing volume and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rod lens is used for focusing and imaging, then imaging function is achieved, but depth of field is limited and objects must be placed extremely flat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoiddepth of field

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light guiding function into multiple rod lenses (first rod lens and second rod lens) with different orientations. The first rod lens guides light in a first direction while the second rod lens guides light in a second direction, allowing light from different depths and angles to be focused onto the same photosensitive element, thereby expanding the depth of field without compromising imaging quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of light guiding by arranging rod lenses in multiple directions (first direction and second direction). This multi-directional arrangement allows the system to capture light from different spatial dimensions and depth levels, effectively increasing depth of field while maintaining imaging functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If volume of rod lens or image distance is increased to increase DOF, then depth of field improves, but product volume and cost greatly increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth of fieldVSAvoidmodule volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple rod lenses with different orientations into a compact stacked arrangement where the first rod lens and second rod lens are positioned closely together. This nested configuration allows the system to achieve increased depth of field through multi-directional light guiding without requiring a proportional increase in overall module volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing volume in a single direction, the patent utilizes multiple spatial dimensions by arranging rod lenses in different orientations (first direction and second direction). This multi-dimensional approach achieves depth of field enhancement while maintaining compact module dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If aperture is decreased to increase DOF, then depth of field improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth of fieldVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aperture function across multiple rod lenses with different orientations. Each rod lens maintains its own aperture, but the combined effect of multiple apertures in different directions achieves the depth of field enhancement that would otherwise require a single reduced aperture, thereby avoiding the associated cost increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The image sensing module effectively increases the depth of field by allowing only specific-angle light to reach the optical sensing element, while reducing the overall volume and manufacturing cost through semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

a light-guide component disposed on the optical sensing element and comprising a first light adjusting layer and a second light adjusting layer... The first light transmitting region and the second light transmitting region are disposed corresponding to the optical sensing element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission and angle selection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250067943A1Image sensing module

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 CREATIVE SENSOR INC

AI summary

An image sensing module includes: a substrate; an optical sensing element disposed on the substrate; and a light-guide component disposed on the optical sensing element, and including a first light adjusting layer and a second light adjusting layer. The second light adjusting layer is disposed on the first light adjusting layer. The first light adjusting layer has a first light transmitting region, and the second light adjusting layer has a second light transmitting region. The first light transmitting region and the second light transmitting region are disposed corresponding to the optical sensing element.