Imaging Apparatus Voltage-Controlled Photoelectric Conversion Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging methods that switch between color and infrared imaging using movable filters suffer from motion blur and durability issues due to frequent mechanical adjustments, and struggle to capture high-quality images when both types of images are captured simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus with a photoelectric conversion layer that converts visible and infrared light into electrical signals using different voltages, allowing simultaneous imaging in visible and infrared modes without a movable filter, and generating an infrared image from visible and infrared light images using computational methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a movable infrared cutoff filter is used to switch between color and infrared imaging, then color reproductivity is improved, but motion blur and durability deteriorate due to frequent mechanical adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmechanical filter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical movable filter system with an electrical control mechanism. By applying different voltages to the photoelectric conversion layer, the system electrically switches between capturing visible light and infrared light, eliminating mechanical moving parts and improving durability while reducing motion blur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter (voltage) applied to the photoelectric conversion layer to switch between different imaging modes. By varying the voltage, the photoelectric conversion layer's sensitivity to different wavelengths changes, enabling switching between visible and infrared imaging without mechanical filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a movable filter is used to capture only infrared light, then infrared image quality is improved, but motion blur increases due to mechanical adjustment during switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidswitching time causing motion blur

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical filter switching with electrical voltage control, enabling instantaneous switching between visible and infrared imaging modes. This eliminates the time delay and motion blur associated with mechanical filter adjustments while maintaining high image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If simultaneous capture of visible and infrared images is attempted using traditional methods, then versatility is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to interference between light types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous imaging capabilityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses voltage parameter changes to control the photoelectric conversion layer's spectral sensitivity. By applying specific voltages, the system can simultaneously capture both visible and infrared light signals and then computationally separate them, achieving high-quality simultaneous imaging that traditional optical filters cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the photoelectric conversion layer multi-functional by enabling it to respond to both visible and infrared light simultaneously through voltage control. This allows a single imaging device to perform multiple imaging functions (visible imaging, infrared imaging, and simultaneous dual-mode imaging) without requiring separate optical paths or filters.

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

Enables high-quality simultaneous capture of visible and infrared images without mechanical filters, reducing motion blur and improving durability by electrically switching between imaging modes, and allowing for the generation of infrared images from combined visible and infrared light data.

Implementation Method 1

The photoelectric conversion layer converts visible light and infrared light into a first electrical signal upon a first voltage being applied between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11233955B2Imaging apparatus including unit pixel, counter electrode, photoelectric conversion layer, and computing circuit

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes a unit pixel including a pixel electrode; a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode; and a computing circuit that acquires a first signal upon a first voltage being applied between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode, the first signal corresponding to an image captured with visible light and infrared light and a second signal upon a second voltage being applied between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode, the second signal corresponding to an image captured with visible light, and generates a third signal by performing a computation using the first signal and the second signal, the third signal corresponding to an image captured with infrared light.