Optical Sensor Encoding for Combined Spectral and Spatial Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sensor devices are limited in determining both spectral and spatial information associated with light, as they can only determine spectral information for individual wavelength ranges and lack the capability to provide spatial information regarding the location of the light's origin.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor device incorporating a phase mask and an optical filter with angle-dependent wavelength characteristics, along with processors to decode an encoded light pattern, enabling the determination of both spectral and spatial information by identifying the angle of incidence and channel association of light beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical sensor devices are used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision of spectral and spatial information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase mask and optical filter into a single integrated optical system. The phase mask is positioned in the light path before the optical filter, creating a unified device that simultaneously performs spatial encoding and spectral filtering. This integration allows the system to capture both spatial and spectral information without requiring multiple separate components, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular encoding by utilizing the angle of incidence as an additional dimension for spatial information extraction. By measuring the angle at which light beams strike the optical filter and combining this with spectral data from different channels, the system retrieves both spatial location and spectral characteristics. This dimensional approach enables simultaneous capture of spatial and spectral information that conventional single-dimension systems cannot provide.
2Loss of information
If conventional optical filters are used, then device complexity is low, but loss of information regarding spatial location occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The phase mask performs preliminary spatial encoding of the light beams before they reach the optical filter. By modulating the light pattern at the input stage, the spatial information is preserved and encoded into the distribution of light across different angular directions. This preliminary encoding ensures that spatial information is not lost during subsequent spectral filtering, as the spatial pattern is already established before the light interacts with the optical filter channels.
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 device enhances the accuracy and precision of spectral information over a wider wavelength range and provides spatial information about the light's origin, surpassing the limitations of conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
a phase mask configured to distribute a plurality of light beams associated with a subject in an encoded pattern on an input surface of the optical filter
Implementation Method 2
an optical filter with an angle-dependent wavelength characteristic comprising one or more channels, wherein each channel, of the one or more channels, is configured to pass light associated with particular wavelengths to a subset of sensor elements
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical sensor device may comprise an optical sensor comprising a set of sensor elements; an optical filter comprising one or more channels, wherein each channel, of the one or more channels, is configured to pass light associated with particular wavelengths to a subset of sensor elements, of the set of sensor elements, of the optical sensor; and a phase mask configured to distribute a plurality of light beams associated with a subject in an encoded pattern on an input surface of the optical filter.