Thin Lens Image Sensor for Low-Light High-Resolution Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors face challenges in capturing high-resolution images in low illuminance environments due to the decrease in light incidence with smaller sensor sizes, leading to reduced image quality and increased difficulty in volume reduction of image capturing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor employs a combination of thin lens elements and a micro lens array, each configured to concentrate specific wavelength bands of light, with scatterers that delay light phases to enhance light concentration, and a processor to obtain chrominance and luminance information, enabling the generation of high-resolution images even in low light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the sensor is decreased to reduce the volume of the image capturing apparatus, then the volume is reduced, but the amount of light incident on the sensor decreases leading to reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor surface is divided into multiple regions, each covered by lens elements of different focal lengths. This segmentation allows different portions of the sensor to capture light from different angles and focal distances, improving light collection efficiency across the entire sensor area while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor are assigned different optical characteristics through the use of lens elements with varying focal lengths. This local differentiation optimizes light concentration in specific areas, ensuring that each region of the sensor receives adequate light intensity despite the reduced overall sensor size.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of the sensor is decreased to reduce the volume of the image capturing apparatus, then the volume is reduced, but the resolution of the image decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is segmented into multiple sensing regions, each corresponding to a lens element with a specific focal length. This segmentation enables each region to capture high-resolution data from its designated field of view, and the processor synthesizes these regional high-resolution images into a complete high-resolution image, thereby maintaining overall image resolution despite the reduced sensor size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the dimensional aspect of light propagation by employing lens elements with different focal lengths to capture image data from multiple focal planes. The processor then synthesizes this multi-dimensional optical information to reconstruct a high-resolution two-dimensional image, effectively transitioning from a single-plane capture limitation to a multi-plane synthesis approach that preserves resolution.
3Device complexity
If conventional lens structures are used in small sensors, then the device complexity is low, but the image sensitivity in low illuminance environments is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system is segmented into multiple lens elements with different focal lengths, each optimized for specific viewing conditions. This segmentation allows the system to capture more light across different angles and focal distances, improving sensitivity in low illuminance environments while keeping each individual lens element relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focal length parameter of the lens elements to optimize light concentration for different sensing regions. By using lens elements with varying focal lengths, the system can adjust light concentration dynamically across different areas of the sensor, improving image sensitivity in low light conditions without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
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 solution allows for improved image sensitivity and resolution in low illuminance environments by effectively concentrating and processing light across various wavelength bands, enhancing image quality while maintaining a compact sensor size.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of thin lens elements including a plurality of scatterers configured to concentrate light of a partial wavelength band among light incident on the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
scatterers configured to concentrate light of a partial wavelength band
Implementation Method 3
a micro lens array configured to concentrate light of another wavelength band wider than the partial wavelength band
Implementation Method 4
a sensing element configured to sense light passing through the plurality of thin lens elements and the micro lens array
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a plurality of thin lens elements, each of the plurality of thin lens elements including a plurality of scatterers configured to concentrate light of a partial wavelength band among light incident on the image sensor. The image sensor further includes a micro lens array configured to concentrate light of another wavelength band wider than the partial wavelength band, and a sensing element configured to sense light passing through the plurality of thin lens elements and the micro lens array.