Partially Lit Image Sensor Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital camera systems in electronic devices often result in inefficient packaging due to the need for an elevated lens position over the image sensor, leading to unused space and increased size, especially in mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a partially lit image sensor with a directly illuminated area and a non-illuminated area, where the lens is only in optical communication with the directly illuminated area, allowing for reduced packaging size and flexible sensor placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the lens is centered directly on the image sensor to maximize pixel exposure, then the number of exposed pixels is increased, but the packaging efficiency deteriorates due to elevated unused space between the lens and sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is segmented into a directly illuminated area and a non-illuminated area. The lens is positioned to illuminate only the directly illuminated area, allowing the sensor to extend beyond the lens footprint without requiring additional elevation space, thus improving packaging efficiency while maintaining pixel exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor extends in the lateral dimension beyond the lens footprint rather than requiring vertical elevation. This dimensional transition allows the sensor to capture more light in the plane parallel to the lens while reducing the vertical space required for packaging.
2Reliability
If the lens is elevated over the sensor to center it, then optical alignment is improved, but the device size increases due to significant unused space
Solution Approach 1:
Optical alignment is maintained locally in the directly illuminated area where the lens focuses light onto the sensor. The non-illuminated area does not require alignment, allowing the sensor to extend laterally without compromising optical performance, thus reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor receives partial illumination rather than full illumination across its entire area. By illuminating only the directly illuminated area and leaving the non-illuminated area dark, the system achieves adequate optical alignment with reduced lens-to-sensor elevation, minimizing device size.
3Volume of stationary object
If a smaller image sensor is used to reduce device size, then packaging efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to higher per-pixel costs
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is segmented into illuminated and non-illuminated regions. A larger, less expensive sensor can be used because only the directly illuminated area requires precise optical alignment and contributes to image capture, while the non-illuminated area can be cheaper sensor material that does not require the same performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from requiring the entire sensor area to be fully illuminated and aligned to requiring only a portion (directly illuminated area) to be optimally aligned. This parameter change allows the use of larger, more cost-effective sensors while maintaining the same functional performance.
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 configuration reduces the overall size and cost of electronic devices by allowing the use of larger, less expensive image sensors while maintaining a compact form factor and enabling additional features without significant size increases.
Implementation Method 1
a lens; an image sensor defining an indirectly lit area and a directly illuminated area and in optical communication with the directly illuminated area
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensing system for an electronic device. The image sensing system includes a lens and an image sensor. The image sensor includes a indirectly lit area of pixels and a directly lit area of pixels. The lens is in optical communication with the directly lit area of pixels.