Light Guide Portions Split Images for Multiple Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In digital image processing, increasing image resolution or size requires larger image sensor chips, which decreases yield and significantly increases fabrication costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple light guide portions and image devices in close proximity, where an image is split into sub-images and transmitted through the light guides to multiple image sensor or display devices, allowing for increased resolution without enlarging individual image sensor chip size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the size of the image sensor chip is increased to increase image resolution, then image resolution is improved, but fabrication cost increases dramatically and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides a single large image sensor chip into multiple smaller image sensor chips (first, second, third, and fourth image sensor chips). Each chip captures a portion of the overall image, and these chips are arranged in a specific spatial configuration. By segmenting the sensing function across multiple smaller chips, the system achieves the resolution and field of view of a large chip while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of smaller individual chips, thus resolving the contradiction between image resolution and fabrication cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the output signals from multiple smaller image sensor chips to reconstruct a single comprehensive image. The processing unit integrates data from all four image sensor chips, effectively merging their individual image portions into a unified high-resolution image. This merging approach allows the system to achieve the functional equivalent of a large image sensor chip while using multiple smaller, more cost-effective chips, thereby resolving the contradiction between image resolution and fabrication cost.
2Measurement precision
If the size of the image sensor chip is increased to increase image resolution, then image resolution is improved, but yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the image sensing function across multiple smaller image sensor chips instead of using a single large chip. Each smaller chip has a higher probability of passing quality control and functioning correctly, thereby improving manufacturing yield. The segmented chips are then combined to achieve the resolution and field of view equivalent to a large chip, thus resolving the contradiction between image resolution and manufacturing yield.
Solution Approach 2:
Each image sensor chip in the plurality is designed to capture a specific portion of the image with optimized local characteristics. The first image sensor chip captures light from a first field of view, the second from a second field of view, and so on. This local quality approach allows each chip to be smaller and more manufacturable while the collective system achieves high overall resolution, resolving the contradiction between image resolution and yield.
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 enables enhanced image resolution and size without the need for larger image sensor chips, thereby maintaining yield and reducing fabrication costs.
Implementation Method 1
N light guide portions, wherein N is an integer greater than 1, wherein each light guide portion of the N light guide portions comprises a first light guide end and a second light guide end
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for operating the same. The apparatus includes N light guide portions. Each light guide portion of the N light guide portions includes a first light guide end and a second light guide end. If an image enters the N light guide portions through the N first light guide ends, then the image goes through the N light guide portions and exits through the N second light guide ends undistorted. The apparatus further includes N image devices. The N image devices are in one-to-one close proximity to the N second light guide ends. If an image exits the N light guide portions through the N second light guide ends, then the image essentially completely enters the N image devices.