Sparse Polarization Pixel Sensor for Light Loss and Resolution Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color polarization image sensors use wire grid matrix filters that cover the entire sensor, leading to reduced light power signal and resolution due to the reflection of approximately 50% of light.
Innovation Solution
A polarization multi-channel sensor with sparse polarization pixels, where each macro-pixel includes a plurality of pixels to detect intensity of light in different color channels and one or more polarization pixels to detect linearly polarized light at specific orientations, allowing for efficient detection of object properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wire grid matrix filters are used to cover the entire sensor for polarization detection, then polarization information can be obtained, but light power signal is reduced and resolution is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into macro-pixels, where each macro-pixel contains multiple standard pixels and a subset of polarization pixels. This segmentation allows polarization detection functionality to be distributed across the sensor array without requiring complete coverage by polarization filters, thereby reducing overall light loss while maintaining polarization measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying polarization filters to every pixel (excessive action), the patent uses polarization pixels at selected positions within macro-pixels (partial action). This partial deployment is sufficient to extract polarization information through spatial sampling, avoiding the 50% light loss that would occur with universal filter coverage.
2Measurement precision
If wire grid matrix filters are used to cover the entire sensor for polarization detection, then polarization information can be obtained, but resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into macro-pixels, with each macro-pixel containing multiple standard pixels and polarization pixels. This hierarchical segmentation preserves high spatial resolution in standard pixels while dedicating specific polarization pixels to polarization measurement, avoiding the resolution degradation that would result from filtering every pixel.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions within each macro-pixel have different functions: standard pixels provide high-resolution intensity information, while polarization pixels provide polarization state information. This local differentiation of quality and function allows the system to maintain overall high resolution while obtaining polarization data at strategically selected locations.
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 sparse polarization pixel configuration enhances the signal-to-noise ratio and maintains higher resolution compared to conventional sensors, while effectively determining object properties such as location, shape, and material properties.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarization pixel configured to detect intensity of light in the first color channel that is linearly polarized in a first direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A polarization multi-channel sensor with sparse polarization pixels is described. The sensor has a plurality of macro-pixels. Each macro pixels includes a corresponding plurality of pixels configured to detect intensity of light in different color channels, and one or more polarization pixels. A polarization pixel may be configured to detect intensity of light in a same color channel that is linearly polarized to a particular orientation. In cases where there are multiple polarization pixels within a macro pixel, the polarization pixels may be configured to detect intensity of light in a same color channel, but at different orientations of linearly polarized light. Moreover, a number of polarization pixels within a macro pixel is sparse compared to a total number of pixels within the macro-pixel. The detected intensity information from the polarization pixels may be used to determine one or more properties of the object.