WO2023137012A1 - Imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging system is provided, the imaging system comprising at least two optical sensors, at least one deflecting element, and a carrier on which the at least two optical sensors and the deflecting element are arranged, wherein the at least two optical sensors each have a main plane of extension, the carrier has a main plane of extension, and the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors.

Description

Description Imaging System This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/298,419 filed on January 11, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. An imaging system is provided. Imaging systems for detecting images often comprise many components arranged next to each other. Thus, a lot of space is consumed. This can lead to only a given amount of components being arranged next to each other for the case that there are constraints concerning the size of the imaging system or to rather large imaging systems. It is an objective to provide an imaging system that has a compact size. This objective is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further developments and embodiments are described in dependent claims. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises at least two optical sensors. Each of the optical sensors can be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation. Each optical sensor can comprise a detector. The detector can in each case be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation. Each optical sensor can comprise one or more photodiodes. The at least two optical sensors can have the same setup. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises at least one deflecting element. The deflecting element can be configured to deflect electromagnetic radiation impinging on the deflecting element. The deflecting element can be configured to deflect electromagnetic radiation impinging on the deflecting element into at least one direction. It is also possible that the deflecting element is configured to deflect electromagnetic radiation impinging on the deflecting element into at least two different directions. The deflecting element can comprise at least one reflective surface. The deflecting element can comprise one reflective surface for each of the optical sensors, wherein for each optical sensor the corresponding reflective surface faces the respective optical sensor. The deflecting element can be arranged between the optical sensors. The imaging system can comprise at least two deflecting elements. The imaging system can comprise one deflecting element for each of the at least two optical sensors, respectively. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises a carrier on which the at least two optical sensors and the deflecting element are arranged. The carrier can comprise electrical contacts with which the optical sensors are connected. The carrier can comprise a printed circuit board and/or other electrical circuitry. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the at least two optical sensors each have a main plane of extension. The main plane of extension of an optical sensor can be the plane within which the respective optical sensor has its largest extension. Within their main plane of extension the optical sensors can each have the shape of a rectangle or a square. Within their main plane of extension the optical sensors can each have a larger extent along a first direction than along a second direction that is different from the first direction. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the carrier has a main plane of extension. The main plane of extension of the carrier can be the plane within which the carrier has its largest extension. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors. This can mean, that for each optical sensor the main plane of extension of the respective optical sensor encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of the carrier. This can mean, that for each optical sensor the main plane of extension of the respective optical sensor does not extend parallel to the main plane of extension of the carrier. For example, for each optical sensor the main plane of extension of the respective optical sensor can enclose an angle of 90° with the main plane of extension of the carrier. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises at least two optical sensors, at least one deflecting element, and a carrier on which the at least two optical sensors and the deflecting element are arranged, wherein the at least two optical sensors each have a main plane of extension, the carrier has a main plane of extension, and the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors. Optical sensors usually have a radiation receiving surface. Radiation to be detected impinges on the radiation receiving surface under an angle of approximately 90°. Thus, in imaging systems usually the radiation receiving surfaces of optical sensors face the region from which radiation is to be detected. In the imaging system described herein the optical sensors are rotated with respect to the arrangement usually employed. This means, the optical sensors are not arranged flat on the surface of the carrier but they are tilted or arranged perpendicular to the surface of the carrier. This means, for each optical sensor the main plane of extension of the respective optical sensor encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of the carrier. In this way, for each optical sensor less space is required on the carrier for the case that for each optical sensor the main plane of extension of the respective optical sensor encloses an angle of 0° with the main plane of extension of the carrier. This enables to arrange more optical sensors on the same area. Therefore, the imaging system has a compact setup. Since in the arrangement of the imaging system described herein the optical sensors do not directly face the region from which radiation is to be detected, the deflecting element is employed. The deflecting element is configured to deflect the radiation to be detected to the radiation receiving surfaces of the optical sensors. For this purpose one or more deflecting elements can be employed. The deflecting element can be arranged between the optical sensors. The optical sensors can be arranged around the deflecting element. This enables an arrangement of the optical sensors and the deflecting element on the carrier which consumes less space than an arrangement of the optical sensors next to one another and with their main planes of extension extending parallel to the main plane of extension of the carrier. In this way, a compact setup of the imaging system is achieved. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, each of the at least two optical sensors has a radiation receiving surface that faces the deflecting element. For each optical sensor its radiation receiving surface can be the surface through which radiation can enter the optical sensor for being detected. Since the radiation receiving surfaces face the deflecting element, radiation impinging on the deflecting element can be deflected towards the radiation receiving surfaces. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, for each of the at least two optical sensors the respective radiation receiving surface is larger than the area of the respective optical sensor that faces the carrier. For each optical sensor its respective radiation receiving surface has a size within the main plane of extension of the respective optical sensor. Furthermore, each optical sensor as a side that faces the carrier. For each optical sensor the size of the side that faces the carrier within a plane that extends parallel to the main plane of extension of the carrier can be smaller than the area of the radiation receiving surface in a plane that extends parallel to the main plane of extension of the optical sensor. This is achieved by tilting the optical sensor with respect to the carrier. It is also possible that the optical sensors have a smaller extent along a direction that extends parallel to the main plane of extension of the carrier than within their main plane of extension. Within a plane that extends parallel to the main plane of extension of the carrier the optical sensor can have a smaller extent than within a plane that extends parallel to their main plane of extension. In this way, a compact arrangement of the optical sensors on the carrier can be achieved. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises at least four optical sensors. The four optical sensors can be arranged along the sides of a rectangle or a square. The deflecting element can be arranged in the center of the rectangle or the square. At each side of the rectangle or the square exactly one optical sensor can be arranged. The rectangle or square can be arranged within a plane that extends parallel to the main plane of extension of the carrier. It is also possible that the imaging system comprises at least six optical sensors, at least eight optical sensors or more than eight optical sensors. The imaging system can comprise a plurality of optical sensors. In each case the optical sensors can be arranged in a compact way around one or more deflecting elements. In this way, a compact setup of the imaging system is achieved. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the optical sensors are arranged at sides of a polygon on the carrier. The polygon can extent within a plane that extends parallel to the main plane of extension of the carrier. The optical sensors can be arranged along the sides of the polygon. This arrangement enables a compact arrangement of the optical sensors on the carrier. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, at each side of the polygon exactly one of the at least two optical sensors is arranged. This can mean, that along each side of the polygon exactly one of the at least two optical sensors extends. This arrangement enables a compact arrangement of the optical sensors on the carrier. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises at least one optical element, wherein the deflecting element is arranged between the carrier and the at least one optical element. In a vertical direction which extends perpendicular to the main plane of extension of the carrier the optical element can be arranged above the deflecting element. The optical element can be configured to deflect radiation impinging on the optical element. The optical element can be configured to direct radiation impinging on the optical element towards the deflecting element. The optical element thus enables that the optical sensors can be tilted on the carrier and still receive the radiation to be detected. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises one optical element for each of the at least two optical sensors, respectively. This can mean that to each of the optical sensors one optical element is assigned. In the vertical direction the optical elements can be arranged above the optical sensors. For each optical sensor there can be an optical path from the respective optical element via the deflecting element towards the optical sensor. The optical elements thus enable that the optical sensors can be tilted on the carrier and still receive the radiation to be detected. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the optical element is configured to direct radiation impinging on the imaging system from different fields of view onto the at least one deflecting element. Radiation from different fields of view can be radiation originating from different regions within a region or scene to which the imaging system is exposed. Radiation from different fields of view can impinge on the optical element from different directions. Since radiation from different fields of view can be directed to the deflecting element by the optical element, this radiation from different fields of view can be detected by only one imaging system. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the at least one deflecting element is configured to deflect radiation from different fields of view to the at least two optical sensors so that each of the at least two optical sensors is provided with radiation from a different field of view, respectively. For example, the deflecting element can be configured to deflect radiation from a first field of view to one of the optical sensors. The deflecting element can also be configured to deflect radiation from a second field of view that is different from the first field of view to another one of the optical sensors. This is also possible for more than two different fields of view and more than two optical sensors. In this way, radiation from different fields of view can be detected by different optical sensors. In this way, radiation from a larger volume or space can be detected by the imaging system than for the case that only the radiation from one field of view is detected. As at least two optical sensors are employed for detecting the radiation from different fields of view, the resolution is high. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system is configured to provide an image with a field of view that is larger than the different fields of view of the radiation that the optical element is configured to direct onto the at least one deflecting element. This can mean, that each of the different fields of view of the radiation the optical element is configured to direct the deflecting element relates to a part of a total field of view of the imaging system. Each of the optical sensors can be configured to detect a part of the radiation that impinges on the imaging system. In this way, each of the optical sensors can be configured to detect a part of an image and these parts can be joined to form an image with a field of view that is larger than the different fields of view of the radiation that the optical element is configured to direct onto the at least one deflecting element. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the at least one optical element comprises at least one lens, at least one meta lens or at least one non-linear optical element. It is also possible, that the optical element comprises a plurality of lenses, a plurality of meta lenses or a plurality of non-linear optical elements. The optical element can comprise one lens, one meta lens or one non- linear optical element for each of the at least two optical sensors, respectively. In this way, radiation from different fields of view can be directed towards different optical sensors. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the at least one deflecting element comprises at least one mirror, at least one free form mirror or at least one non- linear optical element. It is also possible that the deflecting element comprises a plurality of mirrors, a plurality of free form mirrors or a plurality of non-linear optical elements. The deflecting element can comprise a metal. Radiation from different fields of view can thus be directed towards different optical sensors. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the at least one deflecting element comprises at least one mirror, at least one free form mirror or at least one non- linear optical element for each of the at least two optical sensors, respectively. Radiation from different fields of view can thus be directed towards different optical sensors. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the at least one deflecting element comprises at least one surface that encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of at least one of the at least two optical sensors. This can mean, that the deflecting element comprises at least one surface that is tilted with respect to the main plane of extension at least one of the optical sensors. The deflecting element can comprise at least one surface that encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of each of the optical sensors. The deflecting element can comprise a plurality of surfaces that enclose an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of each of the optical sensors. The deflecting element can comprise one surface that encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of each of the optical sensors for each optical sensor. In this way, the deflecting element can be configured to deflect radiation towards the optical sensor. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the at least two optical sensors all have the same size. This enables a compact arrangement of the optical sensors on the carrier. For example, the optical sensors can be arranged at the sides of a polygon. It is also possible that for all optical sensors their respective main planes of extension enclose the same angle with the main plane of extension of the carrier. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of more than 70° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors. It is also possible that the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of more than 80° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors. It is also possible that the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of 90° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors. In this way, the optical sensors each require less space on the carrier than for the case that the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of less than 70° with the main plane of extension of each of the optical sensors. Therefore, a compact arrangement of the optical sensors on the carrier can be achieved. According to at least one embodiment of the imaging system, the imaging system comprises at least two optical sensors, at least one deflecting element, and at least one optical element, wherein the at least two optical sensors each have a main plane of extension, the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors encloses an angle that is different from 90° with a main propagation direction of incoming radiation, the at least one optical element and the at least one deflecting element are configured to direct radiation from different fields of view to the at least two optical sensors so that each of the at least two optical sensors is provided with radiation from a different field of view, respectively. Once the imaging system is exposed to radiation, radiation with a main propagation direction that runs parallel to a main plane of extension of the imaging system impinges on the imaging system. The optical sensors can be tilted with respect to this main propagation direction in such a way that the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors encloses an angle that is different from 90° with the main propagation direction of incoming radiation. Each optical sensor can comprise a radiation receiving surface and for each optical sensor the respective radiation receiving surface can extend parallel to the main plane of extension of the respective optical sensor. In order to enable the detection of images by the optical sensors, the optical element and the deflecting element are employed. The optical element and the deflecting element are configured to deflect impinging radiation towards the optical sensors in such a way that radiation can impinge on the radiation receiving surfaces under an angle of 90°. The optical element and the deflecting element can further be configured to deflect radiation from different fields of view to different optical sensors. In this way, a larger image can be formed by combining the images of the different fields of view detected by the optical sensors. The tilt of the optical sensors enables a compact arrangement of the optical sensors which leads to a compact setup of the imaging system. Ultrasmall cameras for sensing and illumination in AR/VR, smartphone and other applications are enabled. For computational vision applications, detecting objects, measurements, tracking, to emotion detection: N-sensors array combined with metalenses, combined in a camera using 940nm illumination, both conventional LED/VCSEL and metalens controlled. Result is long narrow strip optical imaging device. This camera could provide game-changing optical solutions for consumer products from AR/VR glasses to ultra- small camera notches with wide field of view for face- identification, or others. Monolithic sensor design of single long-narrow sensor. Facial recognition dual sensor type (NIR image and dot sensing), including stereo variants. FacetVision-like, mirror-based design for some applications that can tolerate a larger camera, but maintain a small notch visible. Variation to add color by altering the filters used. Variation to add in optical fingerprint display cut-out or through OLED. Variation to attach arrays to flexible substrate to enable curved applications, such as eye glasses, automobile in-cabin surfaces, or other. Variation to enable full 360 stripe camera. Combining the Stripe camera concept to fit into a Smartphone cutout to either function as Face-ID or optical fingerprint recognition. For Glass mount, Depth challenge w/o metalens Add low-power ML Low-power Bluetooth Curved modules AR/VR .. Glass frames Auto/Security – 360, Concealment, aftermarket stick-on IOT - Everywhere The following description of figures may further illustrate and explain exemplary embodiments. Components that are functionally identical or have an identical effect are denoted by identical references. Identical or effectively identical components might be described only with respect to the figures where they occur first. Their description is not necessarily repeated in successive figures. Figure 1 shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the imaging system. Figure 2 shows a cross section through an exemplary embodiment of the imaging system. With figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 an exemplary embodiment of the imaging system is described. With figures 7, 8 and 9 another exemplary embodiment of the imaging system is described. With figures 10, 11 and 12 another exemplary embodiment of the imaging system is described. Figure 1 shows a top view on an exemplary embodiment of the imaging system 20. The imaging system 20 comprises four optical sensors 21 that are arranged at sides of a square. At each side of the square exactly one optical sensor 21 is arranged. The optical sensors 21 all have the same size. Each optical sensor 21 has a radiation receiving surface 24. The imaging system 20 further comprises a deflecting element 22 and a carrier 23 on which the optical sensors 21 and the deflecting element 22 are arranged. The deflecting element 22 is arranged at the center of the square. Figure 2 shows a cross section through the exemplary embodiment of the imaging system 20 shown in figure 1. In the cross section only two of the optical sensors 21 that are arranged at opposite sides of the square are shown. The optical sensors 21 each have a main plane of extension. In figure 2 for the two optical sensors 21 that are visible the main planes of extension extend along the y-direction. The carrier 23 as well has a main plane of extension. In figure 2 the main plane of extension of the carrier 23 extends along the x-direction. The main plane of extension of the carrier 23 encloses an angle of 90° with the main plane of extension of each of the optical sensors 21. The deflecting element 22 comprises four reflective surfaces 26. In the side view of figure 2, two of these reflective surfaces 26 are shown. Each reflective surface 26 faces one of the optical sensors 21. In particular, each reflective surface 26 faces one radiation receiving surface 24. On the reflective surfaces 26 a mirror, a free-form mirror or a non- linear optical element can be arranged, respectively. In the cross section shown in figure 2 each reflective surface 26 extends under an angle of more than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the main plane of extension of the neighboring optical sensor 21, respectively. The imaging system 20 further comprises four optical elements 25. In the cross section in figure 2, two of these optical elements 25 are shown. The optical elements 25 are arranged above the deflecting element 22. Each optical element 25 can comprise a lens, a meta lens or a non-linear optical element. With figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 the setup of the exemplary embodiment of the imaging system 20 shown in figures 1 and 2 is described. In figure 3 a top view on optical sensors 21 arranged on the area of a square is shown. In figure 4 it is shown that four optical sensors 21 are arranged on the area of the square. In the top view, each optical sensor 21 has the shape of a square. In figure 5 it is shown that the four optical sensors 21 shown in figure 4 are arranged in a different way. Therefore, the optical sensors 21 are shown in a top view and the optical sensors 21 are arranged as shown in figure 1. In the arrangement of figure 5, the area that is required for the arrangement of the four optical sensors 21 is reduced by approximately 75 % in comparison to the area shown in figure 3. This means, the optical sensors 21 can be arranged in a compact way in comparison to the arrangement shown in figure 3. Figure 6 shows a cross-section through the arrangement shown in figure 5 with the deflecting element 22. This setup is also shown in figure 2. With figures 7, 8 and 9 the setup of another exemplary embodiment of the imaging system 20 is described. Figure 7 shows a top view on an area in the shape of a rectangle. On this area six optical sensors 21 are arranged. Each of the optical sensors 21 has the shape of a rectangle. In figure 8 it is shown that the six optical sensors 21 shown in figure 7 are arranged in a different way. Therefore, the optical sensors 21 are shown in a top view. The optical sensors 21 are tilted with respect to the main plane of extension of the carrier 23. For each optical sensor 21 the main plane of extension of the optical sensor 21 encloses an angle of 90° with the main plane of extension of the carrier 23. The six optical sensors 21 are arranged at sides of a hexagon. At each side of the hexagon one of the optical sensors 21 is arranged. This arrangement of the optical sensors 21 requires significantly less space on the carrier 23 than the arrangement shown in figure 7. Figure 9 shows a cross section through an exemplary embodiment of the imaging system 20. The optical sensors 21 are arranged as shown in figure 8. The deflecting element 22 can comprise six reflective surfaces 26 and the imaging system 20 can comprise six optical elements 25. With figures 10, 11 and 12 the setup of another exemplary embodiment of the imaging system 20 is described. Figure 10 shows a top view on an area in the shape of a rectangle. On this area eight optical sensors 21 are arranged. Each of the optical sensors 21 has the shape of a rectangle. In figure 11 it is shown that the eight optical sensors 21 shown in figure 10 are arranged in a different way. Therefore, the optical sensors 21 are shown in a top view. The optical sensors 21 are tilted with respect to the main plane of extension of the carrier 23. For each optical sensor 21 the main plane of extension of the optical sensor 21 encloses an angle of 90° with the main plane of extension of the carrier 23. The eight optical sensors 21 are arranged at sides of an octagon. At each side of the octagon one of the optical sensors 21 is arranged. This arrangement of the optical sensors 21 requires significantly less space on the carrier 23 than the arrangement shown in figure 10. Figure 12 shows a cross section through the arrangement of the optical sensors 21 shown in figure 11. It will be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, features recited in separate dependent claims or in the description may advantageously be combined. Furthermore, the scope of the disclosure includes those variations and modifications, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The term "comprising", insofar it was used in the claims or in the description, does not exclude other elements or steps of a corresponding feature or procedure. In case that the terms "a" or "an" were used in conjunction with features, they do not exclude a plurality of such features. Moreover, any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. This patent application claims priority from US provisional application 63/298,419, the disclosure content of which is hereby included by reference.

References 20 imaging system 21 optical sensor 22 deflecting element 23 carrier 24 radiation receiving surface 25 optical element 26 reflective surface

Claims

Claims 1. An imaging system comprising: - at least two optical sensors, - at least one deflecting element, and - a carrier on which the at least two optical sensors and the deflecting element are arranged, wherein - the at least two optical sensors each have a main plane of extension, - the carrier has a main plane of extension, and - the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors.

2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two optical sensors has a radiation receiving surface that faces the deflecting element.

3. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein for each of the at least two optical sensors the respective radiation receiving surface is larger than the area of the respective optical sensor that faces the carrier.

4. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, the imaging system comprising at least four optical sensors.

5. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical sensors are arranged at sides of a polygon on the carrier.

6. The imaging system according to claim 5, wherein at each side of the polygon exactly one of the at least two optical sensors is arranged.

7. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, the imaging system comprising at least one optical element, wherein the deflecting element is arranged between the carrier and the at least one optical element.

8. The imaging system according to claim 7, the imaging system comprising one optical element for each of the at least two optical sensors, respectively.

9. The imaging system according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the optical element is configured to direct radiation impinging on the imaging system from different fields of view onto the at least one deflecting element.

10. The imaging system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one deflecting element is configured to deflect radiation from different fields of view to the at least two optical sensors so that each of the at least two optical sensors is provided with radiation from a different field of view, respectively.

11. The imaging system according to claim 10, the imaging system being configured to provide an image with a field of view that is larger than the different fields of view of the radiation that the optical element is configured to direct onto the at least one deflecting element.

12. The imaging system according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the at least one optical element comprises at least one lens, at least one meta lens or at least one non-linear optical element.

13. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one deflecting element comprises at least one mirror, at least one free form mirror or at least one non-linear optical element.

14. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one deflecting element comprises at least one mirror, at least one free form mirror or at least one non-linear optical element for each of the at least two optical sensors, respectively.

15. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one deflecting element comprises at least one surface that encloses an angle of more than 0° with the main plane of extension of at least one of the at least two optical sensors.

16. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two optical sensors all have the same size.

17. The imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main plane of extension of the carrier encloses an angle of more than 70° with the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors.

18. An imaging system comprising: - at least two optical sensors, - at least one deflecting element, and - at least one optical element, wherein - the at least two optical sensors each have a main plane of extension, - the main plane of extension of each of the at least two optical sensors encloses an angle that is different from 90° with a main propagation direction of incoming radiation, - the at least one optical element and the at least one deflecting element are configured to direct radiation from different fields of view to the at least two optical sensors so that each of the at least two optical sensors is provided with radiation from a different field of view, respectively.