Lensless Imaging Layout With Peripheral Light Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lensless cameras suffer from image quality deterioration due to unshielded light entering the image sensor, which introduces noise and degrades the quality of the two-dimensional image.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first light shielding member flush with the optical modulation element to surround its periphery, reducing unnecessary light incidence and noise, thereby improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If no light shielding member is provided around the optical modulation element, then the device structure remains simple, but unshielded light enters the image sensor causing noise and degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding function is segmented from the main device body and implemented as a separate first light shielding member positioned around the optical modulation element. This segmentation allows the shielding function to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire device structure, thereby reducing noise while controlling complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The first light shielding member acts as an intermediary element between the optical modulation element and the image sensor. It mediates the light path by blocking stray light from reaching the image sensor, thereby eliminating noise without directly modifying the optical modulation element or image sensor themselves.
2Reliability
If a light shielding member is added to surround the optical modulation element, then image quality improves by suppressing noise, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first light shielding member is positioned locally around the periphery of the optical modulation element, providing light shielding only where needed. This local application of the shielding function improves image quality by blocking stray light paths without requiring comprehensive shielding throughout the entire device, thus limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding is implemented in the radial dimension around the optical modulation element rather than along the optical axis. By surrounding the element in plan view, the first light shielding member blocks stray light from lateral directions without interfering with the primary optical path, improving reliability while maintaining a compact structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the first light shielding member is positioned flush with the optical modulation element, then stray light from the periphery is blocked improving image quality, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first light shielding member is merged with the optical modulation element by positioning it flush with the element's periphery. This merging creates a unified structure where the shielding function is integrated into the existing component layout, blocking peripheral stray light effectively while reducing the need for separate positioning mechanisms that would increase manufacturing precision requirements.
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 implementation of the light shielding member effectively suppresses noise, enhancing the image quality of lensless cameras by ensuring only necessary light reaches the image sensor.
Implementation Method 1
the lensless camera uses a mask, instead of a lens, having a two dimensional pattern of a light transmitting region and a light non-transmitting region or a mechanism for modulating light, such as a diffraction grating, to input light through the mask to the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
The first light shielding member is located flush with the optical modulation element so as to surround the periphery of the optical modulation element in plan view
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes a solid-state imaging element, an optical modulation element, and a first light shielding member. The solid-state imaging element has an effective area in which a plurality of pixels are located in a matrix. The optical modulation element is located on a light incident side of the effective area and modulates incident light. The first light shielding member is located flush with the optical modulation element so as to surround the periphery of the optical modulation element in plan view.