Lensless Imaging Pixel Array Layout for Flicker Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for reducing flicker in imaging apparatuses that do not use imaging lenses, as existing methods fail to effectively minimize flicker in such systems.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus employs an imaging device with pixels having incident angle directivity, where light-receiving sensitivity varies with the incident angle of light, allowing for the modulation of light beams from point light sources and the use of coefficient sets to restore images without the need for imaging lenses, thereby reducing flicker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light modulation is performed using a light shielding film covering the light receiving surface of each pixel, then image capture without imaging lens is enabled, but flicker occurs in the captured image
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region) with different light shielding patterns. Each region has pixels with specific incident angle directivities, allowing the system to capture light from different angles simultaneously. This segmentation enables the restoration of images without requiring an imaging lens while reducing flicker effects.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pixel array are assigned different light shielding patterns and incident angle directivities. The first region captures light from a first incident angle range, the second region from a second incident angle range, and the third region from a third incident angle range. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize for specific angular ranges, reducing overall flicker in the captured image.
2Measurement precision
If pixels with incident angle directivity are used to modulate light beams, then image restoration accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into multiple regions where each region contains pixels with specific incident angle directivities. This segmentation allows the system to capture light from different angular ranges using simpler individual pixel structures, while achieving high overall image restoration accuracy through the combined information from all regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pixel array serves multiple functions: it acts as both the light receiving element and the angular modulation element. By configuring different regions with different light shielding patterns, the same pixel array structure achieves multiple angular capture capabilities, improving image restoration accuracy without requiring additional complex components.
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
This approach effectively reduces flicker in imaging devices without lenses by varying light-receiving sensitivity based on incident angles, enabling accurate image restoration and improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
Each pixel has an incident angle directivity, and an output signal corresponding to a detection signal level is obtained from each pixel
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technology relates to an imaging device, a signal processing device, a signal processing method, a program, and an imaging apparatus that are designed to reduce flicker in the imaging apparatus that does not use any imaging lens. The imaging device includes: a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels including a pixel that receives incident light and outputs one detection signal indicating an output pixel value modulated depending on the incident angle of the incident light is arranged in a row direction and a column direction, and is sequentially exposed row by row, the incident light entering from an object via neither an imaging lens nor a pinhole; and a plurality of detection regions that are disposed in different rows in the pixel region, and are used for flicker detection. The present technology can be applied to an imaging apparatus, for example.