Lens-Free Image Sensor Using Phase-Shifting Holography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules with modular lenses are bulky, making them unsuitable for compact portable electronic devices, as they occupy significant space and are not practical for use in current portable electronic devices due to the time required for phase shifting and calculations in phase-shifting digital holography devices.
Innovation Solution
A lens-free image sensor utilizing a 4-step phase-shifting holography method where photoelectric elements with different heights capture pixels in distinct phases, allowing for the reconstruction of object images without a modular lens, enabling a compact camera module design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a modular lens is used in a conventional camera, then image capture capability is achieved, but the camera module size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the modular lens from the camera system and replaces it with a lens-free imaging sensor that uses phase-shifting holography. The lens is extracted and eliminated, allowing light to directly reach the photoelectric elements without passing through a physical lens, thereby reducing camera module size while maintaining image capture capability through computational imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical system (modular lens) with a computational imaging system. Instead of using physical lens elements to focus light, the system uses phase-shifting holography with multiple photoelectric elements capturing light at different phases, and computational algorithms reconstructing the image from these measurements
2Volume of moving object
If phase-shifting digital holography is used to eliminate the lens, then camera module size is reduced, but the time required for phase shifting and calculations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs phase-shifting measurements simultaneously using multiple photoelectric elements that are pre-configured to capture light at different phases. Instead of sequentially shifting phases and taking multiple measurements, the system prepares multiple sensing elements in advance to capture all necessary phase information in a single light exposure, significantly reducing processing time
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 allows for the reduction in camera module size and cost by eliminating the need for a lens, while maintaining image capture capabilities through the use of phase-shifting hologram images captured by photoelectric elements with varying heights, facilitating thinner and more cost-effective camera designs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photoelectric elements for receiving an incident light
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes: a plurality of photoelectric elements for receiving an incident light. The photoelectric elements are arranged into a plurality of unit cells, and each of the unit cells includes a first photoelectric element and a second photoelectric element. The first photoelectric element in each of the unit cells captures a first pixel in a first phase, and the second photoelectric element in each of the unit cells captures a second pixel in a second phase, wherein the first phase is different from the second phase.