Polarization Image Sensor with Optical Element Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capture devices require multiple shooting sessions with polarizers rotated to capture images based on different polarization states, which is time-consuming and limits the configuration flexibility for capturing multiple light beams in various polarization states.
Innovation Solution
An image capture device with a lens optical system and an image sensor featuring first and second pixels, along with an array of optical elements that transmit light in specific polarization axes, allowing multiple images to be captured using a single lens optical system by directing light from different polarization regions to corresponding pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a polarizer is arranged in front of the lens and rotated according to shooting conditions, then light with different polarization properties can be detected, but multiple shooting sessions are required which takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor surface is segmented into first pixels and second pixels with different polarization filter orientations. This allows simultaneous detection of light with different polarization properties in a single shooting session, eliminating the need for time-consuming polarizer rotation while maintaining full polarization detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal separation (rotating polarizer across multiple shots) to spatial separation (different pixels with different polarization filters). By distributing polarization detection across different spatial locations on the sensor, multiple polarization states are captured simultaneously in one exposure.
2Measurement precision
If polarization filters are provided for some pixels to reduce surface reflection influence, then polarization information can be captured, but the device configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures images with different polarization properties through its pixels, each equipped with specific polarization filters. This integrated approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding the need for separate optical components for each polarization channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the polarization filtering function directly into the image sensor structure by integrating polarization filters with pixel elements. This combination simplifies the overall device configuration by eliminating separate polarizing optical elements while maintaining the ability to capture polarization information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses are used to capture images with different polarization directions, then polarization state detection is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple separate lens systems, the invention segments the image sensor into pixels with different polarization filter orientations. All pixels receive light through a single lens, but the polarization information is separated at the sensor level, maintaining compact device size while achieving full polarization state detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves polarization detection from the optical path (multiple lenses) to the detection plane (image sensor pixels). By implementing polarization differentiation at the sensor level rather than through multiple optical components, the device maintains a compact single-lens configuration while achieving multi-polarization detection capability.
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
Enables the capture of multiple images based on light beams in mutually different polarization states efficiently, enhancing the capture of biometric data like skin state while maintaining practical resolution without increasing device size.
Implementation Method 1
The lens optical system has a first optical region which transmits mostly light vibrating in the direction of a first polarization axis and a second optical region which transmits mostly light vibrating in the direction of a second polarization axis
Implementation Method 2
Each of the optical elements that form the array of optical elements makes the light that has passed through the first optical region incident on the plurality of first pixels and also makes the light that has passed through the second optical region incident on the plurality of second pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device according to the present disclosure includes: a lens optical system L; an image sensor N on which light that has passed through the lens optical system L is incident and which includes at least a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels; and an array of optical elements K which is arranged between the lens optical system and the image sensor. The lens optical system has a first optical region D1 which transmits mostly light vibrating in the direction of a first polarization axis and a second optical region D2 which transmits mostly light vibrating in the direction of a second polarization axis that is different from the direction of the first polarization axis. The array of optical elements makes the light that has passed through the first optical region D1 incident on the plurality of first pixels and also makes the light that has passed through the second optical region D2 incident on the plurality of second pixels.