Extended dynamic range image capture device based on a coded spatial light transmittance modulator
A high dynamic range sensor, comprising a pixel array, having a plurality of pixels, a spatial light transmittance modulator, the spatial light transmittance modulator having a plurality of pre-defined shadings, the plurality of pre-defined shadings are fixed with respect to the plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of pre-defined shadings is located above the plurality of pixels and a micro-lens array, having a plurality of micro-lens aligned to at least one of the plurality of pixels, wherein the micro-lens array is located above the plurality of pixels.
1. A high dynamic range sensor, comprising:
a pixel array, having a plurality of pixels;
a spatial light transmittance modulator, the spatial light transmittance modulator having, a plurality of pre-defined shadings,
the plurality of pre-defined shadings are fixed with respect to the plurality of pixels, wherein
the plurality of pre-defined shadings is located above the plurality of pixels; and
a micro-lens array, having a plurality of micro-lens aligned to at least one of the plurality of pixels, wherein the micro-lens array is located above the plurality of pixels, wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator is located above the micro-lens array.
2. The high dynamic range sensor of claim 1 , wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator is a twisted nematic.
3. The high dynamic range sensor of claim 1 , wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator is located below the micro-lens array.
4. The high dynamic range sensor of claim 1 , wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator is coded.
5. The high dynamic range sensor of claim 1 , wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator the pre-defined shadings includes varying grayscale.
6. The high dynamic range sensor claim 1 , wherein the pixel array is mapped to the plurality of pre-defined shadings.
7. The high dynamic range sensor of claim 1 , wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator effects regions of the pixel array.
8. The high dynamic range sensor of claim 1 , wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator effects individual pixels within the pixel array.
9. A method of high dynamic range sensing, comprising:
receiving from a pixel array a pixel array signal;
determining within the pixel array signal an at least one overexposed pixel;
determining a drive voltage of the spatial light transmittance modulator the at least one overexposed pixel; and
modulating at least one grayscaling of a spatial light transmittance modulator to decrease an exposure of the at least one overexposed pixel.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the spatial light transmittance modulator utilizes a twisted nematic effect to implement the at least one grayscaling.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising mapping the pixel army to the spatial light transmittance modulator.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising determining at least one address of the at least one overexposed pixel.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising determining a transmittance mapping of the at least one overexposed pixel.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining, a drive voltage of the spatial light transmittance modulator to the at least one overexposed pixel.