Photodiode Pair Array Imaging for Fine Light Difference Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Near-infrared spectroscopy scanners are limited to fixed locations due to the need for high-powered light sources, restricting their use in flexible and mobile implementations, and existing methods struggle to achieve desirable imaging resolution.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a light detector array with photodiodes arranged in pairs, employing different measurement modes to measure light intensity differences between adjacent detectors, allowing for improved imaging resolution by detecting small light intensity variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-powered light sources are used to achieve desirable imaging resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light detector array is divided into multiple groups of proximate light detectors, where each group contains light detectors arranged in pairs. This segmentation allows the system to process light intensity differences at a local level, improving measurement precision without requiring high-powered light sources across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures light intensity differences between adjacent light detectors rather than absolute light intensity. This partial measurement approach focuses on detecting small variations in light intensity locally, which improves imaging resolution while reducing the overall power requirements and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If high-powered light sources are used to achieve desirable imaging resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and mobility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light detector array into groups of proximate detectors and measuring local light intensity differences, the system achieves high imaging resolution without requiring high-powered light sources, thereby enabling more flexible and mobile implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from absolute light intensity to light intensity difference between adjacent detectors. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high measurement precision with lower power requirements, improving mobility and ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If light intensity differences between adjacent detectors are measured, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light detectors into pairs within groups of proximate detectors. By merging the detection function at the pair level and measuring the difference between paired detectors, the system improves light intensity detection accuracy while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The light detector array serves multiple functions: individual light detection, paired light intensity difference measurement, and group-level imaging. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware structure to achieve high measurement precision without proportionally increasing 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
Enhances imaging resolution by accurately detecting small light intensity differences, enabling higher density photodiode arrays and generating composite imaging data with fine detail and large difference representation.
Implementation Method 1
each light detector of the plurality of light detectors arranged to generate an output corresponding to an intensity of incident light. The light detectors comprise photodiodes.
Implementation Method 2
controlling the light detector array to generate a first plurality of output signals, each output signal of the first plurality of output signals generated by one of a plurality of groups of proximate light detectors of the light detector array, each group of proximate light detectors comprising a first light detector and second light detector forming a light detector pair, each output signal of the first plurality of output signals corresponding to a difference between the light intensity detected by the light detectors of the group of proximate light detectors
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of measuring light intensity for imaging using a light detector array comprising a plurality of light detectors, each light detector of the plurality of light detectors arranged to generate an output corresponding to an intensity of incident light. The method comprises, in a first measurement mode: controlling the light detector array to generate a first plurality of output signals, each output signal of the first plurality of output signals generated by one of a plurality of groups of proximate light detectors of the light detector array, each group of proximate light detectors comprising a first light detector and second light detector forming a light detector pair, each output signal of the first plurality of output signals corresponding to a difference between the light intensity detected by the light detectors of the group of proximate light detectors, and generating a light intensity measurement for each group from each received output signal of the first plurality of output signals, the method further comprising, in a second measurement mode: controlling the light detector array to generate a second plurality of output signals, each output signal of the second plurality of output signals generated by one of the light detectors, and generating a light intensity measurement for each light detector from each received output signal of the second plurality of output signals.