Optical Sensor Column Summation for Lens Distortion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical acquisition systems, particularly those using CCD and CMOS technologies, fail to adaptively adjust the number of rows for summation based on the column location and do not effectively account for image quality variations and lens distortions, leading to suboptimal image clarity and signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
A method for real-time determination of the number of signals to be summed and the acquisition time, based on the modulation transfer function and signal-to-noise ratio, which considers the location of detectors and optical distortions, to optimize image clarity and signal quality by adjusting the number of rows and integration time for each column of the optical sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of rows summed is kept identical for all columns, then the device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but image quality variations and lens distortions cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different numbers of summed rows for different columns of the optical sensor based on their specific locations. Each column has a customized summation configuration that accounts for local image quality variations and lens distortions, rather than applying a uniform summation approach across all columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the summation configuration adaptive and variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the number of rows to sum for each column based on real-time or pre-determined optical characteristics, allowing the device to adapt to different imaging conditions and optimize performance.
2Ease of operation
If the summation time is determined from the first row detector only, then the determination process is simplified, but the image quality is degraded when the first row information is not representative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using information from multiple detectors across different rows to determine the optimal summation time. The system evaluates signals from various detectors and uses this feedback to adjust the summation time configuration, ensuring that the determination is based on representative data rather than relying solely on the first row detector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining or pre-configuring the optimal number of summed rows and summation time for each column based on their specific locations and optical characteristics. This preliminary configuration allows the system to operate optimally without requiring complex real-time adjustments during image acquisition.
3Device complexity
If the summation parameters are optimized for average or minimum image quality, then the device complexity is reduced, but the signal-to-noise ratio and modulation transfer function vary suboptimally along the detector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing summation parameters specifically for each column's location rather than using a single optimization for the entire detector array. This allows each column to have summation parameters tailored to its specific optical characteristics, resulting in improved and more consistent signal-to-noise ratio and modulation transfer function across all columns.
4Reliability
If the number of summed rows is increased, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the image clarity may be degraded due to increased integration time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting both the number of summed rows and the summation time as interconnected parameters. The system optimizes the combination of these parameters to achieve the best balance between signal-to-noise ratio and image clarity, rather than treating them as independent fixed values.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for the real-time determination of signals to be summed from signals representative of an image portion which are respectively received from detectors belonging to the same optical sensor, the detectors being organized in a matrix formed by rows and columns, the signals to be summed being received on the same column. The method also determines the time during which the detectors must acquire the signals to be summed. The method determines a value representative of a modulation transfer function of at least one lens and/or at least one mirror placed upstream of the optical sensor, and a signal-to-noise ratio of the image portion, based on a location of one of the detectors and on a signal representative of an image portion obtained from the detectors. This representative value is dependent on the number. The method searches for the number and the time maximizing the representative value.