Thin Plate Imaging Device Using Total Internal Reflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical imaging systems struggle to image objects at different distances on different spots of the sensor, requiring lens or sensor movement and failing to directly determine object distances from image signals.
Innovation Solution
A thin plate imaging device utilizing a guide light plate with an imaging unit and photosensitive unit for total internal reflection or reflection propagation, allowing objects at various distances to be imaged on different spots without moving the lens or sensor, with the photosensitive unit integrated or attached to the guide light plate and capable of determining relative distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical imaging systems are used to image objects at different distances, then the lens or sensor must be moved back and forth, but this increases device complexity and loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement system (actuator moving lens or sensor) with an optical system using a guide light plate that utilizes total internal reflection. Light from objects at different distances undergoes different numbers of reflections within the guide light plate, creating distinct image positions on the sensor without requiring any mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide light plate acts as an intermediary element between the objects and the sensor. It mediates the light paths from objects at different distances by introducing variable reflection counts, which encode distance information into spatial positions on the sensor plane, eliminating the need for direct mechanical adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If conventional optical imaging systems are used, then clear images can be obtained, but objects at different distances cannot be imaged on different spots of the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the one-dimensional focus adjustment problem into a two-dimensional spatial encoding problem. By using the guide light plate to create different reflection paths, distance information is encoded into the lateral position dimension on the sensor, allowing simultaneous imaging of objects at different distances at different spots rather than requiring focus adjustment in the optical axis dimension.
3Measurement precision
If the lens or sensor is moved back and forth to image objects at different distances, then clear images can be obtained, but this increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The guide light plate is pre-configured with specific reflection surfaces and angles that encode distance-to-position mapping. This preliminary optical path design allows the system to directly map objects at different distances to different sensor positions without requiring real-time adjustment or movement, achieving instant distance encoding when light enters the system.
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 clear imaging of objects at different distances on different spots of the photosensitive unit without lens or sensor movement, allowing direct determination of object distances from image signals, improving upon the limitations of conventional optical imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a guide light plate, at least an imaging unit and at least an photosensitive unit are utilized to cause the light to conduct the total internal reflection (TIR) or reflection propagation
Implementation Method 2
the light to conduct the total internal reflection (TIR) or reflection propagation in one dimension
Implementation Method 3
a refractive or reflective imaging light path is formed in one dimension
Implementation Method 4
the photosensitive unit is placed in the path of the total internal reflection or the reflection propagation and located at the image focus position of the imaging unit
Data Source
AI summary
A thin plate imaging device in accordance with the present invention comprises a guide light plate, at least an imaging unit, at least a photosensitive unit and at least a reflection lens; the guide light plate and the imaging unit are utilized to allow lights to conduct total internal reflection or reflection propagation in one dimension, the photosensitive unit is placed in the path of the total internal reflection or reflection propagation and disposed at the image focus position of the imaging unit; clear images can be obtained without moving the imaging unit or the photosensitive unit back and forth, and objects with different object distances can be imaged on different spots of the photosensitive unit such that relative distances of the objects can be determined by image signals obtained via the photosensitive unit directly.