IP Library Granted Patent US 9,618,390
Granted Patent B2
US 9,618,390 · App. 13/285,512 · Granted Apr 11, 2017

Optical device and electronic apparatus

Inventor: Masanori Iwasaki (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
G01J3/0294G01J3/0205G01J3/0248G01J3/0256G01J3/1804G02B27/108G02B27/1086
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,618,390
App. No.
13/285,512
Granted
Apr 11, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical device includes: an image-forming optical system forming an image of light from a subject; an imaging unit receiving light of the image formed by the image-forming optical system; a reflection spectroscopic device covering a given area in an imaging area of the imaging unit; and a spectrum detection unit detecting a spectroscopic spectrum of light reflected by the reflection spectroscopic device.

Claims (46)

1. An optical device comprising:

an image-forming optical system configured to form an image of light from a subject;

an imaging unit configured to receive the image of light formed by the image-forming optical system; wherein the image-forming optical system includes an adjustable diaphragm, the adjustable diaphragm being configured to alter an F-number of the image-forming optical system at the time of detecting the spectroscopic spectrum in relation to an F-number of the image-forming optical system at the time of imaging in the imaging unit;

a reflection spectroscopic device configured to cover a given area in an imaging area of the imaging unit and convert via reflection the image of light into a spectroscopic spectrum of light, wherein the spectroscopic spectrum of light includes a desired spectroscopic spectrum of light;

a spectrum detection unit configured to detect the desired spectroscopic spectrum of light while the image of light is received by the imaging unit; and

a waveguide unit disposed on the imaging unit, and in contact with at least a spectrum detection area of the spectrum detection unit.

2. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the waveguide unit is further configured to guide at least part of the spectroscopic spectrum of light to the spectrum detection unit.

3. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein, in the light reflected by the reflection spectroscopic device, light in shorter wavelengths than a wavelength range of the desired spectroscopic spectrum is transmitted through the waveguide unit and light in longer wavelengths than the desired spectroscopic spectrum is reflected by the waveguide unit to the outside of the spectrum detection area of the spectrum detection unit.

4. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the reflection spectroscopic device is integrally formed on a surface of the waveguide unit or the imaging unit.

5. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the imaging unit is inclined to an optical axis of the image-forming optical system.

6. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the waveguide unit is configured so that at least a part of a total reflection surface of the waveguide unit is inclined to an upper surface of the imaging area of the imaging unit.

7. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the reflection spectroscopic device is a diffraction grating, hologram device, or a prism.

8. An electronic apparatus comprising:

an optical device including

an image-forming optical system configured to form an image of light from a subject;

an imaging unit configured to receive the image of light formed by the image-forming optical system; wherein the image-forming optical system includes an adjustable diaphragm, the adjustable diaphragm being configured to alter an F-number of the image-forming optical system at the time of detecting the spectroscopic spectrum in relation to an F-number of the image-forming optical system at the time of imaging in the imaging unit;

a reflection spectroscopic device configured to cover a given area in an imaging area of the imaging unit and convert via reflection the image of light into a spectroscopic spectrum of light, wherein the spectroscopic spectrum of light includes a desired spectroscopic spectrum of light;

a spectrum detection unit configured to detect the desired spectroscopic spectrum of light while the image of light is received by the imaging unit; and

a waveguide unit disposed on the imaging unit, and in contact with at least a spectrum detection area of the spectrum detection unit.

9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8 ,

wherein the waveguide unit is further configured to guide at least part of the spectroscopic spectrum of light to the spectrum detection unit.

10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8 ,

wherein, in the light reflected by the reflection spectroscopic device, light in shorter wavelengths than a wavelength range of the desired spectroscopic spectrum is transmitted through the waveguide unit and light in longer wavelengths than the desired spectroscopic spectrum is reflected by the waveguide unit to the outside of the spectrum detection area of the spectrum detection unit.

11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8 ,

wherein the reflection spectroscopic device is integrally formed on a surface of the waveguide unit or the imaging unit.

12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8 ,

wherein the imaging unit is inclined to an optical axis of the image-forming optical system.

13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8 ,

wherein the waveguide unit is configured so that at least a part of a total reflection surface of the waveguide unit is inclined to an upper surface of the imaging area of the imaging unit.

14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8 ,

wherein the reflection spectroscopic device is a diffraction grating, hologram device, or a prism.

15. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the desired spectroscopic spectrum of light includes a set of wavelength ranges, and

wherein each wavelength range is a distinct sub-range between 620 nm to 860 nm.

16. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the reflection spectroscopic device is one of a plurality of spectroscopic devices, each spectroscopic device being configured to convert via reflection the image of light into a distinct spectroscopic spectrum of light that is received by a designated section of the spectrum detection unit that corresponds only to that spectroscopic device.

17. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the reflection spectroscopic device has a length that is longer than a wavelength of the desired spectroscopic spectrum of light.

18. The optical device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the reflection spectroscopic device is integrally formed in a cover layer of the imaging area and includes convex portions, each convex portion having a height that corresponds to the surface of the cover layer.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE ZIP CODE FROM 246-0014 TO 243-0014 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 039645 FRAME: 0019. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 13, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040894/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039645/0019 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2011
From: IWASAKI, MASANORI
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027152/0404 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-266296 · Nov 30, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120133944A1 · May 31, 2012