Imaging Device Polarization Crosstalk Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current imaging devices that use a microlens array to separate light into multiple regions suffer from significant crosstalk, requiring complex calculations to correct for varying crosstalk amounts across pixels, making it difficult to acquire high-quality multiple images with one imaging element.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with an optical system divided into three regions transmitting light in different polarization directions, using a matrix calculation to process signals from multiple pixels to isolate and correct for crosstalk, allowing for the acquisition of three independent high-quality images using one imaging element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a mirror assembly is used to direct light from a flash tube, then light can be directed toward the imaging sensor, but the mirror assembly occupies space within the imaging device and adds structural complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight direction controlVSAvoidmirror assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light directing function from a traditional mirror assembly and relocates it to a reflective surface formed on the circuit board substrate itself. This eliminates the need for a separate mirror assembly while maintaining the light direction control function, thereby reducing device complexity and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the light reflecting function with the circuit board substrate by forming a reflective surface directly on the substrate. This combines the structural support function of the circuit board with the light directing function, eliminating the need for a separate mirror assembly and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If a flash tube is positioned close to the imaging sensor, then the device size can be reduced, but the intense light from the flash tube can damage the imaging sensor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging device sizeVSAvoidsensor damage from flash light
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a reflective surface with specific reflectivity characteristics on the circuit board substrate. This localized reflective property directs light away from the imaging sensor while maintaining overall device compactness, thus protecting the sensor without increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board substrate acts as an intermediary element between the flash tube and the imaging sensor. By forming a reflective surface on the substrate, it mediates the light path to redirect flash light away from the sensor, preventing damage while allowing close positioning of components for compact device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If multiple components are arranged in a compact layout, then device size is reduced, but assembly precision and alignment become more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcomponent alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the circuit board substrate, including structural support, electrical connection, and light reflection. This integration reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving compact device layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board substrate is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, establishing electrical connections, and directing light through its reflective surface. This multi-functionality reduces component count and simplifies assembly, maintaining precision while enabling compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively removes crosstalk and allows for the generation of clear, high-quality images from each optical region, simplifying the imaging process and improving image quality without the need for extensive pixel-by-pixel correction.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective surface is formed on a circuit board substrate of the imaging device. The reflective surface reflects light from the flash tube away from the imaging sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3863278B1Imaging device
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3863278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3863278B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3863278B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is an imaging device that can acquire three independent high-quality images using one imaging element. An imaging device includes: an optical system (10) including three optical regions (12A, 12B, 12C) that transmit light in different polarization directions; an imaging element (100) including a plurality of pixel units each of which is a set of three pixels that receive light in different polarization directions; and an image processing unit (200) that calculates three pixel signals (X1, X2, X3) corresponding to each of the optical regions (12A, 12B, 12C) of the optical system (10) from three pixel signals (x1, x2, x3) obtained from each pixel unit of the imaging element (100) to generate an image of each of the optical regions (12A, 12B, 12C).