Synchronized Directable Beam Light Source and Photosensor for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computational imaging systems are inefficient in power consumption due to the constant operation of light sources and inefficient use of controllable light-blocking masks, which waste energy by blocking generated photons.
Innovation Solution
An energy-optimized imaging system that synchronizes a directable beam light source with an active pixel selectable photosensor, using a synchronizing controller to maximize energy efficiency by selectively illuminating specific areas and blocking unnecessary light paths, allowing for advanced imaging techniques with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light source is always turned on to ensure sufficient illumination, then the image brightness and quality are improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The light source operates in periodic pulses rather than continuously, with each pulse synchronized to illuminate only during the specific time window when the corresponding sensor pixels are active. This temporal gating ensures illumination is provided only when needed, dramatically reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sufficient brightness during active capture periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-synchronizes the light source activation with the sensor readout timing before the actual image capture begins. The controller prepares the illumination schedule in advance, activating light source regions only when their corresponding sensor pixels are ready to receive photons, eliminating wasted illumination during inactive periods.
2Measurement precision
If the controllable light-blocking mask is used to selectively light the scene, then the imaging precision is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to blocking generated photons
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a light-blocking mask to selectively block photons, the invention inverts the approach by using a directly addressable sensor array that selectively detects photons only from regions of interest. The light source illuminates the entire scene uniformly, but the sensor mask activates only specific pixels to record light from specific spatial locations, eliminating energy waste from blocking photons while maintaining precise selective imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the selective imaging function from the illumination path and relocates it to the detection path. Rather than blocking unwanted light with a mask in the optical path, the system extracts only the necessary photon detection events by activating specific sensor pixels, allowing all photons to reach the sensor plane but recording only those from regions of interest.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional imaging systems use multiple optical components to achieve selective illumination and detection, then the imaging capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The directly addressable sensor array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the image detector and the spatial selection mask, eliminating the need for separate mask components. The light source also serves dual purposes as both illumination and the reference for synchronization timing. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining versatile imaging capabilities including selective region capture, temporal gating, and synchronized illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the light-blocking mask and the sensor array into a single integrated system where the sensor's electronic addressing provides the selective detection function. The controller combines the timing control of the light source with the pixel activation control, consolidating multiple control functions into a unified synchronization mechanism that reduces overall system 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
Enables the capture of high-quality images in challenging lighting conditions, such as bright scenes and 3D shape measurement, with reduced power usage and minimal ambient light interference, and allows for unique imaging capabilities like live structured-light video and dual photography.
Implementation Method 1
a light source having the ability to illuminate a specific area(s)
Implementation Method 2
a photosensor having a configurable mask having the ability to mask specific pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An energy optimized imaging system that includes a light source that has the ability to illuminate specific pixels in a scene, and a sensor that has the ability to capture light with specific pixels of its sensor matrix, temporally synchronized such that the sensor captures light only when the light source is illuminating pixels in the scene.