Motion Coded Imaging Spatial Mask for Compact High-Resolution Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies face challenges in achieving wide field of view, high resolution, and high sensitivity using compact devices, particularly in the infrared spectrum, due to limitations in focal plane arrays and current coding techniques which often require large data storage and transfer, expensive active scanning elements, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a compact imaging device that applies different spatial filtering functions using a passive spatial mask or motion of the imaging apparatus to achieve coding diversity, allowing for high-sensitivity, low-pixel-count sensor arrays with larger pixel pitches, and reduced data storage and transfer requirements, without the need for multiple apertures or active scanning elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large pixel focal plane arrays are used, then sensitivity and quantum efficiency are improved, but system compactness is sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the scene into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) and applies different spatial filtering functions to different regions simultaneously using a single focal plane array. This segmentation allows the use of smaller pixels while maintaining sensitivity by focusing computational resources on relevant scene portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the temporal dimension by applying multiple spatial filtering functions sequentially over time to the same scene. This time-multiplexed approach enables high-resolution imaging with smaller pixels by accumulating information across multiple filtered measurements, trading time for spatial resolution without requiring larger pixels.
2Volume of moving object
If small pixel focal plane arrays are used, then system compactness is improved, but sensitivity and quantum efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial filtering functions as intermediary processing steps between light collection and detection. These filtering functions, applied through optical elements or computational algorithms, enhance the signal-to-noise ratio for small pixels by emphasizing relevant spatial frequencies and suppressing noise, effectively compensating for the lower quantum efficiency of small pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the spatial filtering parameters (such as filter orientation, frequency, and type) across multiple measurements. By varying these parameters and combining the results, the system extracts high-resolution information from multiple low-resolution measurements taken with small pixels, effectively improving sensitivity without increasing pixel size.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution imaging is achieved, then spatial resolution is improved, but data storage and transfer requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spatial filtering functions to the image data before full reconstruction and storage. By preprocessing the data with appropriate spatial filters that emphasize important features and suppress redundant information, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be stored and transferred while preserving the essential high-resolution information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards redundant information by applying spatial filtering that eliminates correlated pixel values and noise. The essential high-resolution information is recovered through computational reconstruction algorithms that combine multiple filtered measurements. This discard-and-recover approach reduces data storage requirements while maintaining spatial resolution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If active scanning micromirror arrays are used, then coding diversity is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of actively scanning micromirrors to create coding diversity, the patent inverts the approach by using fixed spatial filtering functions and relying on natural scene variations or deliberate platform motion to provide the diversity. This passive approach eliminates complex active scanning mechanisms while maintaining coding diversity through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural motion of the imaging platform (such as aircraft or satellite movement) or scene parallax to automatically provide the spatial variations needed for coding diversity. This self-service approach eliminates the need for active scanning elements, as the platform's own motion generates the necessary diversity for high-resolution reconstruction.
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple apertures are used for spatial filtering, then coding diversity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple spatial filtering functions into a single focal plane by using diffractive optical elements, holographic gratings, or computational algorithms that can implement multiple filters simultaneously or sequentially at one location. This consolidation maintains coding diversity while eliminating the need for multiple physical apertures and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a universal spatial filtering mechanism (such as a programmable spatial light modulator or configurable diffractive element) that can perform multiple different filtering functions using a single physical aperture. This multi-functional approach provides coding diversity equivalent to multiple apertures while using only one aperture location, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 the creation of high-resolution images with reduced data storage and transfer needs, using smaller, less expensive sensor arrays and eliminating the complexity of active scanning elements, while maintaining high sensitivity and wide field of view.
Implementation Method 1
The features of the mask can have a smallest pitch that is approximately equal to an optical diffraction limit of the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus and corresponding method according to an embodiment of the present invention enables high-resolution, wide-field-of-view, high sensitivity imaging. An embodiment of the invention is a camera system that utilizes motion of an optical element, such as a spatial filtering mask or of the camera itself, to apply different spatial filtering functions to a scene to be imaged. Features of a spatial filtering mask implementing the different filtering functions are adjacent along an axis of the spatial mask, and a pitch of the features of the mask is smaller than a pitch of the sensor elements. An imaging reconstructor having knowledge of the filtering functions can produce a high-resolution image from corresponding low-resolution coded imaging data captured by the imaging system. This approach offers advantages over conventional high-resolution, wide-field imaging, including an ability to use large-pitch, lower cost sensor arrays, and transfer and store much less data.