JP5524337B2 - Optical intelligent image detection device - Google Patents

Description

This application claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 2047 / CHE / 2009 filed on August 26, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incorporated. This application also claims the priority of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 648,081, filed on Dec. 28, 2009.

  Liquid crystals are a type of material having different material phases, including phases that exhibit properties between those of normal liquids and those of solid crystals. For example, liquid crystals can flow like a liquid while retaining some of the characteristics of the ordered structure of crystals. Each of these phases can be distinguished by different optical properties. Different liquid crystal phases appear to have different textures when viewed with a microscope using a polarized light source. Contrasting areas of the structure correspond to areas where the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in different directions.

  One popular liquid crystal application is a liquid crystal display (LCD), which relies on the optical properties of certain liquid crystal materials in the presence or absence of an electric field to generate a displayed image. In an ordinary liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal layer is positioned between two orthogonal polarizers, and the liquid crystal alignment is selected so that the relaxed phase is twisted. This twisted phase redirects the light that has passed through the first polarizer, allowing light to pass through the second polarizer and further allowing the light to be reflected back to the observer. To do. Under this configuration, the liquid crystal device appears clear.

  When a voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer, an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal molecules begin to be aligned parallel to the electric field, and the twist gradually returns at the center of the liquid crystal layer. In this state, the liquid crystal molecules do not change the direction of light, so that light polarized by the first polarizer is absorbed by the second polarizer, and the device accordingly loses transparency. This loss of transparency increases as the voltage across the liquid crystal layer is increased. Thus, a voltage applied across the liquid crystal layer can be used to switch the pixel between transparent and opaque. Color LCD systems follow a similar technique with color filters used to generate color pixels.

  An optically intelligent image sensing device is provided. The image detection device includes a light detection layer, a color filter layer on the light detection layer, a first glass substrate on the conductive electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer on the first glass substrate, and a second liquid crystal layer on the liquid crystal layer. A glass substrate, a transparent resistance layer, and an electrode layer are provided, and a three-dimensional electric field profile is generated in the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage between the conductive electrode layer and the electrode layer. In the present embodiment, by applying a first voltage between the conductive electrode layer and the electrode layer, the first three-dimensional electric field profile is applied to the liquid crystal layer so that light entering the liquid crystal layer is bent at a first angle. Is generated. Furthermore, by applying a second voltage between the conductive electrode layer and the electrode layer, a second three-dimensional electric field profile is generated in the liquid crystal layer so that light entering the liquid crystal layer is bent at a second angle. .

  In another embodiment, an image detection device includes a light detection layer that includes a first pixilated light detection structure and a second pixelated light detection structure, a first color filter structure and a first color filter structure. A color filter layer on the photodetection layer comprising two color filter structures, wherein the first color filter structure is matched to the first pixelated photodetection structure, and the second color filter structure is A color filter layer matched to a second pixelated photodetection structure, a transparent conductive electrode layer on the color filter layer, a first glass substrate on the transparent conductive electrode layer, and on the first glass substrate A liquid crystal layer and a spacer in the liquid crystal layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer is aligned with the first pixelated photodetection structure and the second liquid crystal layer is aligned with the second pixelated photodetection structure. Spacers to divide the liquid crystal part, and the first on the liquid crystal layer A transparent resistive layer comprising a glass substrate and a first pixelated resistor structure and a second pixelated resistor structure, wherein the first pixelated resistor structure is a first color filter structure A transparent resistance layer matched to the second color filter structure, a first pixelated electrode structure and a second pixelated electrode structure. An electrode layer comprising a first pixelated electrode structure aligned with the first color filter structure and a second pixelated electrode structure aligned with the second color filter structure and transparent An electrode layer for generating a three-dimensional electric field profile in the first liquid crystal portion by applying a voltage between the conductive electrode layer and the first pixelated electrode structure; The image detection device also includes a second spacer, the spacer and the second spacer having a liquid crystal layer aligned with the first pixelated light detection structure, a first liquid crystal portion, a second pixelated light detection structure And the photodetection layer further includes a third pixelated photodetection structure that is aligned with the third liquid crystal portion, and the color filter structure includes the first liquid crystal portion and the third liquid crystal portion. A third color filter structure matched to the third liquid crystal portion, the transparent resistance layer further comprising a third pixelated resistor structure matched to the third liquid crystal, and the electrode layer on the third liquid crystal layer A third pixelated electrode structure that is aligned is further provided, and the first liquid crystal portion is three-dimensionally applied by applying a voltage between the transparent conductive electrode layer and the first pixelated electrode structure. Generate an electric field profile.

  In this embodiment, a second three-dimensional electric field profile is generated in the second liquid crystal portion by applying a second voltage between the transparent conductive electrode layer and the second pixelated electrode structure, A third voltage is applied between the transparent conducting electrode layer and the third pixelated electrode structure to generate a third three-dimensional electric field profile in the third liquid crystal portion. The three-dimensional electric field profile allows light entering the first liquid crystal portion to pass through and enter the first color filter structure. Further, the second three-dimensional electric field profile bends the light entering the second liquid crystal portion towards the first spacer and enters the first color filter structure. In addition, the second three-dimensional electric field profile causes light entering the second liquid crystal portion to bend toward the second spacer and enter the third color filter structure.

  A method for image detection is also provided. The method includes receiving incident light at an electrode layer and passing light through the electrode layer to a liquid crystal layer below the electrode layer, the liquid crystal layer having a three-dimensional electric field profile, Produced by applying a voltage between the electrode layer and the conductive electrode layer below the liquid crystal layer, passing light, passing light through the color filter, and passing light from the color filter into the light detection layer. Passing through.

  The method generates a second three-dimensional electric field profile by applying a second voltage between the electrode layer and the conductive electrode layer, thereby passing the light through the second color filter and transmitting the light. It also includes passing from the second color filter into the second photodetection layer.

  The foregoing summary is exemplary only and is in no way limiting. In addition to the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

  Embodiments are further illustrated by the following description and the accompanying drawings.

It is explanatory drawing of an example of the image detection device structure where the electric potential was applied between the electrode layer and the conductive electrode layer. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the image detection device structure of FIG. 1A to which different electric potential was applied between the electrode layer and the conductive electrode layer. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the pixel structure for a three-color image detection device. It is explanatory drawing of the circuit block diagram about an example of an image detection pixel. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the array of the image detection pixel containing nine image detection pixels arranged in 3x3 format. 2 is a flow diagram for optimizing optical efficiency using an optical intelligent image detection device. FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example computing device configured to calculate and apply an appropriate potential across an electrode and conductive electrode pair to optimize optical efficiency.

  In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. In the accompanying drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure that are generally described herein and illustrated in the figures may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are described herein. It will be easily understood that they are explicitly considered.

  FIG. 1A shows an image detection device having an electrode layer 102, a resistance layer 104, a first glass substrate 106, a liquid crystal layer 108, a second glass substrate 110, a conductive electrode layer 112, a color filter layer 114, and a light detection layer 116. Structure 100 is shown. The color filter layer 114 is disposed on the light detection layer 116, the conductive electrode layer 112 is disposed on the color filter layer 114, the second glass substrate 110 is disposed on the conductive electrode layer 112, and the liquid crystal layer 108. Is disposed on the second glass substrate 110, the first glass substrate 106 is disposed on the liquid crystal layer 108, the resistance layer 104 is disposed on the first glass substrate 106, and the electrode layer 102 is disposed on the resistive layer 104.

The liquid crystal layer 108 is accommodated between the first glass substrate 106 and the second glass substrate 110. In one embodiment, the electrode layer 102, the resistive layer 104, and the conductive layer are transparent to light, and the electrode layer may be an indium tin oxide (ITO) material. A potential can be applied between the electrode layer 102 and the conductive layer 112 to control the electric field profile in the liquid crystal layer 108. In FIG. 1A, the potential applied between the electrode layer 102 and the conductive electrode layer 112 is such that light entering the image detection device 100 passes straight through the liquid crystal layer 108 without being bent and enters the light detection layer 116. Thus, an electric field profile in the liquid crystal layer 108 is generated. In one embodiment, the photodetection layer 116 may be a charge coupled device (CCD) layer. The color filter layer 114 may be a red filter, a green filter, or a blue filter.

  FIG. 1B illustrates the image detection device of FIG. 1A including the same electrode layer 102, resistance layer 104, first glass substrate 106, second glass substrate 110, conductive electrode layer 112, color filter layer 114, and light detection layer 116. A second image detection device 150 having a structure similar to 100 is shown. In the second image detection device 150, however, different potentials are applied between the electrode layer 102 and the conductive electrode layer 112. Different potentials applied between the electrode layer 102 and the conductive electrode layer 112 result in the liquid crystal layer 108 'having different electric field profiles. Due to the different electric field profiles, light entering the image detection device 150 bends and does not enter the light detection layer 116. As shown, different potentials applied between the electrode layer 102 and the conductive electrode layer 112 produce different electric field profiles in the liquid crystal layer 108, thereby detecting the image as it passes through the liquid crystal layer 108. Controls how the light entering device 100 bends.

  FIG. 2 shows a pixel structure for a three-color image detection device 200. Each color component of the pixel structure 200 is similar to the image detection device 100. Pixel structure 200 includes an electrode layer having a first electrode portion 202A, a second electrode portion 202B, and a third electrode portion 202C. Pixel structure 200 includes a first resistive portion 204A aligned with first electrode portion 202A, a second resistive portion 204B aligned with second electrode portion 202B, and a third aligned with third electrode portion 202C. It further comprises a resistive layer located below the electrode layer having a resistive portion 204C. The liquid crystal layer 208 accommodated between the first glass substrate 206 and the second glass substrate 210 is located under the resistance layer. Under the second glass substrate 210, there is a conductive layer 212. Under the conductive layer 212, the first color filter portion 214A matched with the first resistance portion 204A and the second resistance portion 204B were matched. There is a color filter layer that includes a second color filter portion 214B and a third color filter portion 214C aligned with the third resistor portion 204C. Below the color filter layer is a first light detection portion 216A aligned with the first color filter portion 214A, a second light detection portion 216B aligned with the second color filter portion 214B, and a third light detection. There is a light detection layer including a third light detection portion 216C aligned with portion 214C.

The liquid crystal layer 208 can also include a first spacer 218 and a second spacer 220. The first spacer 218 can be positioned such that the first spacer 218 is aligned with the intersection between the first light detection portion 216A and the second light detection portion 216B. Similarly, the second spacer 220 can be positioned such that the second spacer 220 is aligned with the intersection between the second light detection portion 216B and the third light detection portion 216C. The arrangement of the first spacer 218 and the second spacer 220 is such that the liquid crystal layer 208 is aligned with the first light detection portion 216A, the first liquid crystal portion 208A, and the second light detection portion 216B is aligned with the second liquid crystal. A portion is divided into a portion 208B and a third liquid crystal portion 208C aligned with the third light detection portion 216C. In one embodiment, the first spacers 218 and the second spacer 220 may be convex lens shaped spacers. Similar to the image detection device structure 100 of FIG. 1A, the color filter portions 214A, 214B, and 214C may be red filters, green filters, and / or blue filters .

  As described above, each aligned portion of the three-color image detection device 200 is structurally and functionally similar to the image detection device structure 100 of FIG. 1A. In one embodiment of the three-color image detection device 200, the first spacer 218 and the second spacer 220 are convex lens shapes, and the color filter portions 214A, 214B, and 214C are a red filter, a green filter, and a blue filter, respectively. It is. As the light enters the three-color image detection device 200, all the light passes through the liquid crystal portions 208A, 208B and 208C without being bent and passes through the filters 214A, 214B and 214C to the light detection portions 216A, 216B and 216C , A default potential may be applied between each of the first electrode portion 202A, the second electrode portion 202B, and the third electrode portion 202C and the conductive electrode layer 212.

  If the light that enters the three-color image detection device 200 is green light and a default potential is applied so that the light passes through each of the liquid crystal portions 208A, 208B, and 208C, the green light is a red color. Filtered out by filter 214A and blue color filter 214C, passes only through green color filter 214B and enters second light detection portion 216B. Thus, only approximately one third of the light is passed and received by the second light detection portion 216B, and the remaining approximately two thirds of the green light is simplified by the red color filter 214A and the blue color filter 214C. To be lost.

  In the same case as when the light entering the three-color image detection device 200 is green light, as in the case of the second image detection device 150 shown in FIG. 1B, the first potential is set to the first electrode portion 202A. And the conductive electrode 212, an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal portion 208A, and the green light passing through the liquid crystal portion 208A can be bent. However, in this case, the green light is deliberately bent in the direction of the second liquid crystal portion 208B toward the first spacer 218, thereby entering the second liquid crystal portion 208B and through the green color filter 214B. The second light detection portion 216B can be entered. Similarly, the second potential is such that green light passing through the liquid crystal portion 208C is bent toward the second spacer 220 and enters the second light detection portion 216B through the green color filter 214B. It may be applied between the third electrode portion 202C and the conductive electrode 212. By further maintaining the default potential across the second electrode portion 202B and the conductive electrode 212, all green light entering the liquid crystal layer 208 is directed toward the green color filter 214B and the second light detection Enter portion 216B. Thus, the optical efficiency of the three-color image detection device 200 for detecting green light is up to about 300% when a default potential is applied between each of the electrode portions 202A, 202B and 202C and the conductive electrode 212. To increase.

  Similarly, by applying an appropriate potential between the electrode portions 202A, 202B, and 202C and the conductive electrode 212, the optical efficiency of the three-color image detection device 200 can be reduced for detecting red light and / or blue light. Can be improved. If the first spacer 218 and the second spacer 220 are convex lens-shaped spacers, the bent light passing through the spacers can be focused to further improve the optical efficiency of the three-color image detection device 200.

  FIG. 3 shows a circuit block diagram for an example of an image detection pixel 300 that includes inputs 322, 324, 326, 328 and 330, electrodes 352A, 352B, 352C and 352D, and transistors 354A, 354B, 354C and 354D. The electrode 352A and the transistor 354A can be mounted like the first electrode portion 202A in FIG. Similarly, the electrode 352B and the transistor 354B, and the electrode 352C and the transistor 354C can be implemented as the second electrode portion 202B and the third electrode portion 202C in FIG. 2, respectively. The gates of transistors 354A, 354B, 354C, and 354D are connected to input 326, while the source of transistor 354A is connected to input 324, the drain of transistor 354A is connected to electrode 352A, and the source of transistor 354B is the input 322. The drain of transistor 354B is connected to electrode 352B, the source of transistor 354C is connected to input 328, the drain of transistor 354C is connected to electrode 352C, and the source of transistor 354D is connected to input 330. The drain of the transistor 354D is connected to the electrode 352D.

  As arranged in FIG. 3, the image detection pixel 300 can contain up to four different color portions. In one embodiment, the four color filters implemented in the image detection pixel 300 may be red, green, blue and white, and the electrode portion 202A is one of the image detection pixels 300 for detecting red light. The electrode portion 202B is a part of the image detection pixel 300 for detecting green light, and the electrode portion 202C is a part of the image detection pixel 300 for detecting blue light. 202D is a part of the image detection pixel 300 for detecting white light or all light. When green light enters the image detection pixel 300, light from the red light detection portion, the blue light detection portion, and the white light detection portion is bent toward the portion of the image detection pixel 300 for detecting green light. As such, appropriate signals may be applied to the inputs 322, 324, 326, 328 and 330. Accordingly, light loss due to color filtering in the image detection pixel 300 is reduced and optical efficiency is improved. In alternative embodiments, the image detection pixel 300 may be designed to accommodate a different number of color selections. For example, having filters for just the three primary colors red, green and blue may be sufficient to detect all color combinations.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an array of image detection pixels 400 including nine image detection pixels arranged in a 3 × 3 format. A pixel structure similar to the example of image detection pixel 300 of FIG. 3 may be used as one or more of the nine image detection pixels. Similar to image detection pixel 300, four color filters for each image detection pixel may be implemented to detect red, green, blue and white. Alternative arrangements of image detection pixels are possible and different connection and control implementations are required accordingly.

  In the image detection device embodiments described above, having preliminary information about the light entering each pixel is beneficial to improve the optical efficiency of the light detection device. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for optimizing the optical efficiency, and includes an image information acquisition step 502, a desired potential determination step 504, a predetermined potential application step 506, and an image capture step 508. The image information acquisition step 502 includes acquiring a preliminary image using an image detection device without optimization. After the information acquisition step 502, a desired potential determination step 504 includes determining how much potential should be applied to the pixel electrode in order to optimize the optical efficiency of the pixels in the image detection device. After determining the potential to be applied, a predetermined potential application step 506 is performed. When the determined potential is applied, the image detection device may be optically optimized and an image captured.

  A digital camera is an example of an application that may benefit from this optical intelligent image detection device. Improving the optical efficiency of a digital camera allows the camera to have a larger optical zoom (as opposed to a digital zoom that utilizes various forms of interpolation) without the need for additional lenses. In one embodiment, the image information acquisition step 502 may be performed when the camera is focused on its target just prior to capturing an image.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device 600 configured to determine and apply an appropriate potential across an electrode and conductive electrode pair to optimize optical efficiency. In a very basic configuration 601, the computing device 600 typically includes one or more processors 610 and system memory 620. Memory bus 630 may be used for communication between processor 910 and system memory 620.

  Depending on the desired configuration, processor 610 may be of any type including a microprocessor (μP), a microcontroller (μC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof, It is not limited to these. The processor 610 may include a primary or higher level cache such as a primary cache 611 and a secondary cache 612, a processor core 613, and a register 614. The processor core 613 may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a floating point arithmetic unit (FPU), a digital signal processing core (DSP core), or any combination thereof. Memory controller 615 can also be used with processor 610, or in some implementations memory controller 615 can be an internal component of processor 610.

  Depending on the desired configuration, system memory 620 may be any type including volatile memory (such as RAM), non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or any combination thereof. However, it is not limited to these. The system memory 620 typically includes an operating system 621, one or more applications 622, and program data 624. Application 622 includes an image interpretation algorithm 623 that is arranged to calculate and apply an appropriate potential across the electrode and conductive electrode pair to optimize optical efficiency. Program data 624 includes image interpretation data 625 that helps calculate the appropriate potential applied between the electrode and conductive electrode pair to optimize optical efficiency, as further described below. In some example embodiments, the application 622 may execute program data on the operating system 621 so that an appropriate potential across the electrode and conductive electrode pair may be determined and applied to optimize optical efficiency. 624 may be configured to operate. This described basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 6 by these components within dashed line 601.

  The computing device 600 may have additional features or functions and additional interfaces to facilitate communication between the basic configuration 601 and any necessary devices and interfaces. For example, the bus / interface controller 640 can be used to facilitate communication between the basic configuration 601 and one or more data storage devices 650 via the storage interface bus 641. The data storage device 650 may be a removable storage device 651, a non-removable storage device 652, or a combination thereof. Examples of removable storage devices and non-removable storage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible disk drives and hard disk drives (HDD), compact disk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, to name a few. Optical disk drives, solid state drives (SSD), and tape drives. Examples of computer storage media include volatile and non-volatile removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technique for storing information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Can be included.

  The system memory 620, the removable storage 651, and the non-removable storage 652 are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), or other optical storage device, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage device Or any other magnetic storage device or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and that can be accessed by the computing device 600. Any such computer storage media may be part of device 600.

  The computing device 600 includes an interface bus 642 to facilitate communication from various interface devices (eg, output interface, peripheral interface, and communication interface) via the bus / interface controller 640 to the basic configuration 601. You can also. Examples of the output interface 660 include a graphics processing unit 661 and an audio processing unit 662, such as a display or speaker via one or more A / V ports 663. It can be configured to communicate with various external devices. Examples of the peripheral interface 660 include a serial interface controller 671 or a parallel interface controller 672, and the serial interface controller 671 or the parallel interface controller 672 includes an input device (eg, keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device). Etc.), or other peripheral devices (eg, printers, scanners, etc.), etc., may be configured to communicate via one or more I / O ports 673. An example of the communication interface 680 includes a network controller 681 that communicates with one or more other computing devices 690 via network communication via one or more communication ports 682. Can be arranged to help. A communication connection is an example of a communication medium. Typically, a communication medium may be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and any information delivery medium Including. A “modulated data signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of non-limiting example, communication media can include wired media such as wired networks or direct wired connections, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein may include both storage media and communication media.

  The computing device 600 is a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, a wireless web-watch device, a personal headset device, a special purpose device, or any of the above functions Can be implemented as part of a small form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a hybrid device including Computing device 600 may also be implemented as a personal computer that includes both laptop and non-laptop computer configurations.

  While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the appended claims.

  The present disclosure is not limited to the aspects of the specific embodiments described in the present application, but is intended to exemplify various aspects. Many modifications and variations as will be apparent to those skilled in the art can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatus within the scope of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, in addition to those listed herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure should be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents, to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reactants, compounds, compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

  For the use of substantially all plural and / or singular terms herein, those skilled in the art will recognize from the plural to the singular and / or singular as appropriate to the situation and / or application. You can convert from shape to plural. Various singular / plural permutations can be clearly described herein for ease of understanding.

  In general, terms used herein, particularly in the appended claims (eg, the body of the appended claims), are intended throughout as “open” terms. Will be understood by those skilled in the art (eg, the term “including” should be construed as “including but not limited to” and the term “having”). Should be interpreted as “having at least,” and the term “includes” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”. ,Such). Where a specific number of statements is intended in the claims to be introduced, such intentions will be explicitly stated in the claims, and in the absence of such statements, such intentions It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that is not present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims use the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to guide the claim description. May include that. However, the use of such phrases may be used even if the same claim contains indefinite articles such as the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and “a” or “an”. Embodiments in which the introduction of a claim statement by the indefinite article "a" or "an" includes any particular claim, including the claim description so introduced, is merely one such description. (Eg, “a” and / or “an” should be construed to mean “at least one” or “one or more”). Should be). The same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Further, even if a specific number is explicitly stated in the description of the claim to be introduced, it should be understood that such a description should be interpreted to mean at least the number stated. (For example, the mere description of “two descriptions” without other modifiers means at least two descriptions, or two or more descriptions). Further, in cases where a conventional expression similar to “at least one of A, B and C, etc.” is used, such syntax usually means that one skilled in the art would understand the conventional expression. Contemplated (eg, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” means A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together And / or systems having both A, B, and C together, etc.). In cases where a customary expression similar to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, such syntax is usually intended in the sense that one skilled in the art would understand the customary expression. (Eg, “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” includes A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, And / or systems having both A, B, and C together, etc.). Any disjunctive word and / or phrase that presents two or more alternative terms may be either one of the terms, anywhere in the specification, claims, or drawings. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that it should be understood that the possibility of including either of the terms (both terms), or both of them. For example, it will be understood that the phrase “A or B” includes the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

  Further, where a feature or aspect of the disclosure is described in terms of a Markush group, the disclosure is also described thereby in terms of any individual element or subgroup of a plurality of elements of the Markush group. Those skilled in the art will understand that.

  As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, including any point of description, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of any and all possible subranges and portions thereof. Also includes combinations of target ranges. Any given range fully explains that the same range will be broken down into at least two equal parts, three equal parts, four equal parts, five equal parts, ten equal parts, etc. It can be easily recognized as something to do. By way of non-limiting example, each range described herein can be easily broken down, such as one-third lower, one-third center, one-third upper, and so forth. Also, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all terms such as “up to”, “at least”, “greater than”, “less than”, etc. include the stated numbers and follow the subranges above. It indicates the range that can be disassembled. Finally, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a range includes each individual element. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1 to 5 cells refers to a group having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 cells, and so forth.

  While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the appended claims. .

Claims (12)

  A photodetection layer comprising a first pixelated photodetection structure and a second pixelated photodetection structure;
  A color filter layer on the photodetection layer comprising a first color filter structure and a second color filter structure, wherein the first color filter structure is integrated into the first pixelated photodetection structure. A color filter layer that is matched and the second color filter structure is matched to the second pixelated photodetection structure;
  A transparent conductive electrode layer on the color filter layer;
  A first glass substrate on the transparent conductive electrode layer;
  A liquid crystal layer on the first glass substrate, the liquid crystal layer being aligned with the first pixelated photodetection structure, and the second pixelated photodetection. A liquid crystal layer including a second liquid crystal portion that matches the structure;
  A second glass substrate on the liquid crystal layer;
  An electrode layer comprising a first pixelated electrode structure and a second pixelated electrode structure, wherein the first pixelated electrode structure is aligned with the first color filter structure; An electrode layer, wherein the second pixelated electrode structure is matched to the second color filter structure;
  By applying a first voltage between the transparent conducting electrode layer and the first pixelated electrode structure, a first light enters a first liquid crystal portion with a first three-dimensional electric field profile. An image detection device that generates the first three-dimensional electric field profile in the first liquid crystal portion so as to bend into the second color filter structure.   The image detection device according to claim 1,
  The photodetection layer further comprises a third pixelated photodetection structure;
  The liquid crystal layer includes a third liquid crystal portion that matches the third pixelated photodetection structure;
  The color filter structure includes a third color filter structure matching the third liquid crystal portion;
  The electrode layer includes a third pixelated electrode structure aligned with the third liquid crystal portion;
  By applying a second voltage between the transparent conducting electrode layer and the third pixelated electrode structure, a second light enters a third liquid crystal portion with a second three-dimensional electric field profile. An image detection device that generates the second three-dimensional electric field profile in the third liquid crystal portion so as to bend into the second color filter structure.   The image detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
  Third light is applied to the second liquid crystal portion by applying a third voltage between the transparent conductive electrode layer and the second pixelated electrode structure. An image detection device that generates the third three-dimensional electric field profile in the second liquid crystal portion so as to allow entry into the second color filter structure.   The image detection device according to claim 3,
  The image detecting device, wherein the second color filter structure transmits the third light.   The image detection device according to claim 4,
  The image detection device, wherein the first color filter structure or the second color filter structure does not transmit the third light.   The image detection device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
  An image detection device in which any one of the first, second, and third color filter structures transmits red light, green light, or blue light.   A method for image detection using an image detection device, comprising:
  The image detection device includes:
  A photodetection layer comprising a first pixelated photodetection structure and a second pixelated photodetection structure;
  A color filter layer on the photodetection layer comprising a first color filter structure and a second color filter structure, wherein the first color filter structure is integrated into the first pixelated photodetection structure. A color filter layer that is matched and the second color filter structure is matched to the second pixelated photodetection structure;
  A transparent conductive electrode layer on the color filter layer;
  A first glass substrate on the transparent conductive electrode layer;
  A liquid crystal layer on the first glass substrate, the liquid crystal layer being aligned with the first pixelated photodetection structure, and the second pixelated photodetection. A liquid crystal layer including a second liquid crystal portion that matches the structure;
  A second glass substrate on the liquid crystal layer;
  An electrode layer comprising a first pixelated electrode structure and a second pixelated electrode structure, wherein the first pixelated electrode structure is aligned with the first color filter structure; An electrode layer, wherein the second pixelated electrode structure is matched to the second color filter structure;
  The method
  The transparent conductive electrode layer and the first liquid crystal portion are formed such that a first three-dimensional electric field profile that bends the first light entering the first liquid crystal portion to the second color filter structure is generated in the first liquid crystal portion. Applying a first voltage to one pixelated electrode structure;
  Detecting the first light using the second pixelated light detection structure;
  A method comprising:   The method of claim 7, comprising:
  The photodetection layer further comprises a third pixelated photodetection structure;
  The liquid crystal layer includes a third liquid crystal portion that matches the third pixelated photodetection structure;
  The color filter structure includes a third color filter structure matching the third liquid crystal portion;
  The electrode layer includes a third pixelated electrode structure aligned with the third liquid crystal portion;
  The method
  The transparent conductive electrode layer and the second liquid crystal portion are formed such that a second three-dimensional electric field profile that bends the second light entering the third liquid crystal portion to the second color filter structure is generated in the third liquid crystal portion. Applying a second voltage between the three pixelated electrode structures;
  Detecting the second light using the second pixelated light detection structure;
  A method further comprising:   A method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein
  Generating a third three-dimensional electric field profile in the second liquid crystal portion that allows third light entering the second liquid crystal portion to enter the second color filter structure. Applying a third voltage between the transparent conductive electrode layer and the second pixelated electrode structure;
  Detecting the third light using the second pixelated light detection structure;
  A method further comprising:   The method of claim 9, comprising:
  The method, wherein the second color filter structure transmits the third light.   The method of claim 10, comprising:
  The method wherein the first color filter structure or the second color filter structure does not transmit the third light.   A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, comprising
  The method wherein any one of the first, second, and third color filter structures transmits red light, green light, or blue light.

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