Lens-Free Image Sensor Layout for 4-Phase Holographic Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules with modular lenses are too large for compact portable electronic devices, necessitating a lens-free image sensor solution to reduce size and enhance portability.
Innovation Solution
An image-sensing device comprising a plurality of photoelectric elements arranged in unit cells with pillar structures of varying sizes, capturing images in different phases using a 4-step phase-shifting holography algorithm to reconstruct images without a lens, allowing for a compact camera module design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a modular lens is used in a conventional camera, then image quality can be captured, but the camera module size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the modular lens component from the camera system entirely. Instead of using a traditional lens to focus light, the invention employs a lens-free imaging approach where light directly interacts with the photoelectric elements arranged in specific patterns, eliminating the need for the lens and significantly reducing camera module size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D image sensing to 3D phase-shifting holography by adding the temporal dimension through phase modulation. Four photoelectric elements capture light intensity variations at different phases (0, π/2, π, 3π/2), enabling reconstruction of complex amplitude information including depth, thereby achieving three-dimensional imaging without a lens
2Adaptability or versatility
If photoelectric elements with different sizes are used to capture different phases, then phase-shifting holography can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different sizes to specific photoelectric elements based on their functional requirements. Elements capturing different phases (0, π/2, π, 3π/2) have different diameters (e.g., 120nm, 180nm, 240nm, 300nm) to optimize their light collection efficiency for respective phases, while maintaining a regular 2×2 spatial arrangement that simplifies overall manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of photoelectric element size to achieve phase-shifting functionality. By varying the diameter of photoelectric elements rather than using mechanical phase shifters or complex optical components, the system achieves phase modulation through geometric parameter adjustment, which is more suitable for integrated circuit fabrication
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 the capture of high-quality images without the need for a modular lens, reducing the size and cost of camera modules while maintaining image quality, suitable for integration into portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photoelectric elements for receiving incident light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An image-sensing device includes photoelectric elements for receiving incident light. The photoelectric elements are arranged into unit cells, and each of the unit cells includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth photoelectric element. The first, the second, the third and the fourth photoelectric elements in each of the unit cells are formed of pillar structures, and the first, the second, the third and the fourth photoelectric elements are different sizes. The first photoelectric element captures a first image in a first phase, the second photoelectric element captures a second image in a second phase, the third photoelectric element captures a third image in a third phase, and the fourth photoelectric element captures a fourth image in a fourth phase. The first phase, the second phase, the third phase, and the fourth phase are different.