Lensless Imaging Electronic Device Using Pixel Layer Light Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices, such as mobile phones, face challenges in miniaturizing camera systems due to the complexity and size of optical lenses, leading to a need for lensless imaging methods that can integrate image capture and display functions without increasing device volume.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device incorporating a pixel layer, a photosensitive layer, and an image display control apparatus that uses a preset pattern to modulate light and capture images without a physical lens, allowing for both display and image capture functionality in a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional optical lenses are used for imaging, then image capture quality is maintained, but device volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional optical lens from the imaging system, replacing it with a lensless computational imaging approach. The pixel layer directly captures light patterns without requiring complex optical lenses, thereby reducing camera volume and optical complexity while maintaining imaging capability through computational reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical lens system with an electronic/computational system. Instead of using physical lenses to focus light, the system uses a pixel layer to capture light intensity distributions and a processor to computationally reconstruct images, substituting mechanical optical components with electronic detection and processing.
2Volume of moving object
If optical lenses are removed for miniaturization, then device volume is reduced, but imaging precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the imaging system by abandoning traditional optical focusing parameters (lens focal length, aperture) and adopting computational imaging parameters (pixel arrangement, light intensity distribution patterns, reconstruction algorithms). This parameter transformation enables lensless imaging while maintaining image accuracy through mathematical reconstruction from captured light patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a pixel layer with specific light-responsive properties and a computational processing system. The pixel layer captures light intensity distributions, and the processor applies reconstruction algorithms to generate images, creating a composite imaging system that achieves both miniaturization and imaging precision through the synergistic combination of physical detection and computational processing.
3Weight of stationary object
If lensless imaging is implemented, then device weight is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional optical lens fabrication to two-dimensional pixel layer patterning. By flattening the imaging system into a planar pixel array, the manufacturing process shifts from complex 3D optical component fabrication to 2D semiconductor-style pixel fabrication, which can be achieved with standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques and reduces overall device weight while maintaining manufacturability.
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 lensless imaging, reducing device volume and weight, improving user experience by integrating image capture and display functions while maintaining high image accuracy through the use of a preset pattern to encode and decode images.
Implementation Method 1
The photosensitive layer is configured to receive a reflected light formed after an emergent light emitted from the pixel layer when displaying one first image at each time is reflected by an object to be photographed, and to convert the reflected light received at each time into a second image signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a pixel layer, an image display control apparatus, a photosensitive layer, and a processor. The pixel layer includes a plurality of pixel units configured to display an image. The image display control apparatus is configured to control the plurality of pixel units to sequentially display at least one corresponding first image according to at least one first image signal. The photosensitive layer is configured to receive a reflected light formed after an emergent light emitted from the pixel layer when displaying one first image at each time is reflected by an object to be photographed, and to convert the reflected light received at each time into a second image signal. The processor is configured to determine an image of the object to be photographed according to the at least one first image signal and second image signals corresponding to the at least one first image signal.