Image Sensor Cooling and Super-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capture apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-resolution images while minimizing noise generated by image sensors, which can deteriorate image quality due to heat and dark current noise.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus incorporating a thermoelectric cooler with a cooling portion in contact with the image sensor, a heat dissipating portion, and a moving device that moves the image sensor in increments of 1/n pixels, combining multiple images to enhance resolution and reduce noise through effective cooling and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the image sensor operates at high temperature to maintain performance, then the image sensor generates more noise due to heat, but cooling the image sensor reduces noise and improves image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the image sensor by introducing a cooling device that lowers the operating temperature from typical high temperatures to below 0°C, thereby reducing thermal noise and dark current while maintaining sensor performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling device as an intermediary component between the image sensor and the environment, using a thermoelectric module to actively remove heat from the sensor, thus mediating the temperature control to reduce noise
2Measurement precision
If the image sensor remains stationary to simplify the system, then the resolution is limited by the pixel density, but moving the image sensor enables super-resolution imaging beyond the native pixel resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static image sensor into a dynamic system by introducing a moving device that can precisely translate the sensor in sub-pixel increments, enabling the sensor to capture multiple views of the same scene at different positions for super-resolution reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple discrete steps where the image sensor captures images at different sub-pixel positions, then combines these segmented images through image processing to achieve super-resolution, dividing the overall imaging task into manageable portions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the image sensor is cooled to reduce noise, then dark current noise decreases, but the cooling mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cooling systems with a solid-state thermoelectric cooling module, eliminating moving parts and mechanical complexity while achieving effective cooling through electrical control of the thermoelectric effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the cooling system by using a thermoelectric module that can be precisely controlled through electrical current adjustment, allowing fine-tuning of the cooling effect to match the exact noise reduction requirements without over-engineering the system
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 apparatus achieves higher resolution images by cooling the image sensor and moving the pixel array, thereby reducing noise and improving image quality by minimizing dark current noise and heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler including a thermoelectric module cooling the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
a heat dissipating portion placed at one side of the heating portion and cooling the heating portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an image capture apparatus. The image capture apparatus includes an image sensor, a cooler placed at one side of the image sensor and cooling the image sensor, and a moving device placed at one side of the cooler and moving the image sensor and the cooler.