Polarization Filter for Optical Mouse Signal Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical computer mice face challenges in achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio, especially in environments with faint features, leading to difficulties in capturing and distinguishing image data, which can increase costs and hardware requirements.
Innovation Solution
The use of a polarization filter and image sensor apparatus that filters out polarized light in specific directions, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio by separating signal and noise components, and a mosaic polarization filter that captures light with alternating polarizations to improve feature detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If brighter incident light or more sensitive image sensors are used to increase the S/N ratio, then feature detection capability is improved, but cost and operating expenses increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polarization state parameter of light to improve feature detection. By using a polarization filter to capture light in specific polarization directions and processing the difference between images captured in different polarization states, the system enhances the S/N ratio without requiring brighter light sources or more sensitive sensors, thereby avoiding the reliability issues associated with those components
2Measurement precision
If brighter incident light is used to increase the S/N ratio, then feature detection capability is improved, but operating expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes polarization state as a new parameter to differentiate signal from noise. By capturing images in different polarization directions and computing their difference, the system enhances feature detection capability without increasing light source intensity, thereby reducing energy consumption and operating expenses
3Measurement precision
If more sensitive image sensors are used to increase the S/N ratio, then feature detection capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polarization filtering to capture light in specific polarization directions and processes the difference between images captured in different polarization states. This approach enhances the S/N ratio and feature detection capability using standard image sensors, avoiding the need for expensive high-sensitivity sensors and thereby reducing manufacturing costs
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 increases the signal-to-noise ratio, making it easier to detect features and reducing noise, thereby improving image data quality and feature detection accuracy without the need for more expensive components.
Implementation Method 1
The polarization filter is adapted to filter out light polarized in a first direction from a first scene
Implementation Method 2
The image sensor is adapted to capture the filtered light, and the image sensor includes support circuits to convert the captured filtered light to image data
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including an image sensor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a polarization filter, an image sensor, and a processor connected to the image sensor. The polarization filter is adapted to filter out light polarized in a first direction from a first scene. The image sensor is adapted to capture the filtered light, and the image sensor includes support circuits to convert the captured filtered light to image data. The processor is adapted to process the image data to detect features of the first scene. The polarization filter filters out noise component of the image, thus increasing contrast. In another embodiment, a mosaic polarization filter is used to capture a scene in a first image including light from the scene having first polarity and to capture the scene in a second image including light from the scene having first polarity. The two images can be analyzed to determine various characteristics of the scene.