Adaptive detection sensor array and method of providing and using the same

• US 10,180,504 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2016
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army, Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army, Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Smith, Joseph, Forsythe, Eric, Allee, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John
• Application Number:
  US15/147,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20160252632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/08 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for photometry standard sources, also using luminescent or radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/24 with semiconductor detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/002 for television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/443 by reading pixels from selected 2D regions of the array, e.g. for windowing or digital zooming

Abstract

Some embodiments include a system having a detection sensor array, which includes multiple detection sensors with each detection sensor having an enabled state and a disabled state, and having a control module configured to operate the detection sensor array. Under the enabled state, each detection sensor is configured to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation, and under the disabled state, each detection sensor is configured not to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation. Further, the detection sensor array comprises a test state and an operational state. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a detection sensor array comprising multiple detection sensors, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors comprising an enabled state and a disabled state; and

a control module configured to operate the detection sensor array;

wherein;

under the enabled state, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors is configured to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation;

under the disabled state, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors is configured not to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation;

the detection sensor array comprises a test state and an operational state;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a detecting detection sensor that detects at least a predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation; and

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state, the detection sensor array is configured such that detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors operate in the disabled state.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the detection sensor array comprises at least one detection sensor sheet, each detection sensor sheet of the at least one detection sensor sheet comprising a device substrate, and the multiple detection sensors being located over the device substrate of each detection sensor sheet of the at least one detection sensor sheet.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein:

the device substrate comprises a flexible substrate.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the control module is configured to determine when the detection sensor array operates in the test state and the operational state.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein:

the control module is configured to operate the detection sensor array in the test state and the operational state in a loop multiple times;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a first loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a first detecting detection sensor that detects at least the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a first non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation;

for the first loop of the loop multiple times, first detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the detecting detection sensors and first non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors;

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the first loop of the loop multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the first loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the first detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the first non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a second loop of the multiple loop times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a second detecting detection sensor that detects at least the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a second non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation;

for the second loop of the loop multiple times, second detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the detecting detection sensors and second non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors; and

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the second loop of the loop multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the second loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the second detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the second non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the first detecting detection sensors are different by at least one detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors than the second detecting detection sensors; and

the first non-detecting detection sensors are different by at least one detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors than the second non-detecting detection sensors.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an emitter;

wherein;

the emitter is configured to emit at least one of modulated electromagnetic radiation or x-ray electromagnetic radiation at the detection sensor array.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of:

the detection sensor array comprises a passive detection sensor array;

or

the detection sensor array is devoid of any photomultiplier tubes and silicon avalanche diodes.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of:

the control module comprises a driver module coupled to the detection sensor array;

the control module comprises a multiplexer module selectively coupled to the detection sensor array;

the system further comprises a lock-in receiver selectively coupled to the detection sensor array;

or

the multiple detection sensors each comprise a pixel comprising a thin film transistor coupled to an amorphous silicon PIN diode.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the detection sensor array comprises a passive detection sensor array;

the detection sensor array comprises at least one detection sensor sheet, each detection sensor sheet of the at least one detection sensor sheet comprising a device substrate, and the multiple detection sensors being located over the device substrate of each detection sensor sheet of the at least one detection sensor sheet;

the device substrate comprises a flexible substrate;

the control module is configured to determine when the detection sensor array operates in the test state and the operational state;

the control module is configured to operate the detection sensor array in the test state and the operational state in a loop multiple times;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a first loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a first detecting detection sensor that detects at least the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a first non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation;

for the first loop of the loop multiple times, first detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the detecting detection sensors and first non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors;

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the first loop of the loop multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the first loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the first detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the first non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a second loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a second detecting detection sensor that detects at least the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a second non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation;

for the second loop of the loop multiple times, second detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the detecting detection sensors and second non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors;

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the second loop of the loop multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the second loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the second detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the second non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state;

the control module comprises a driver module coupled to the detection sensor array;

the control module comprises a multiplexer module selectively coupled to the detection sensor array;

the system further comprises a lock-in receiver selectively coupled to the detection sensor array; and

the multiple detection sensors each comprise a pixel comprising a thin film transistor coupled to an amorphous silicon PIN diode.

11. A method of providing a system, the method comprising:

providing a detection sensor array comprising multiple detection sensors;

providing a control module;

configuring each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors to comprise an enabled state and a disabled state; and

configuring the detection sensor array to comprise a test state and an operational state;

wherein;

under the enabled state, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors is configured to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation;

under the disabled state, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors is configured not to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a detecting detection sensor that detects at least a predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation; and

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state, the detection sensor array is configured such that detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors operate in the disabled state.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein:

providing the detection sensor array comprises providing at least one detection sensor sheet, each detection sensor sheet of the at least one detection sensor sheet comprising a device substrate, and the multiple detection sensors being located over the device substrate of each detection sensor sheet of the at least one detection sensor sheet.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein:

providing the at least one detection sensor sheet comprises forming the multiple detection sensors over the device substrate of each detection sensor sheet of the at least one detection sensor sheet.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein:

providing the at least one detection sensor sheet comprises providing the device substrate, the device substrate comprising a flexible substrate.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein:

providing the control module comprises configuring the control module to determine when the system operates in the test state and the operational state.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein:

configuring the control module to determine when the system operates in the test state and the operational state comprises configuring the control module to operate the detection sensor array in the test state and the operational state multiple times;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a first loop of the multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a first detecting detection sensor that detects at least the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a first non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation;

for the first loop of the multiple times, first detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the detecting detection sensors and first non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors;

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the first loop of the multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the first loop of the multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the first detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the first non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a second loop of the multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a second detecting detection sensor that detects at least the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a second non-detecting detection sensor that detects less than the predetermined amount of electromagnetic radiation;

for the second loop of the multiple times, second detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the detecting detection sensors and second non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors; and

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the second loop of the multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the second loop of the multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the second detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the second non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein:

the first detecting detection sensors are different by at least one detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors than the second detecting detection sensors; and

the first non-detecting detection sensors are different by at least one detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors than the second non-detecting detection sensors.

18. A system comprising:

a detection sensor array comprising multiple detection sensors, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors comprising an enabled state and a disabled state; and

a control module configured to operate the detection sensor array;

wherein;

under the enabled state, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors is configured to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation;

under the disabled state, each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors is configured not to detect and identify electromagnetic radiation;

the detection sensor array comprises a test state and an operational state;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a detecting detection sensor that detects modulated electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a non-detecting detection sensor that does not detect modulated electromagnetic radiation; and

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state, the detection sensor array is configured such that detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors operate in the disabled state.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the control module is configured to operate the detection sensor array in the test state and the operational state in a loop multiple times;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a first loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a first detecting detection sensor that detects modulated electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a first non-detecting detection sensor that does not detect modulated electromagnetic radiation;

for the first loop of the loop multiple times, first detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the detecting detection sensors and first non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors;

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the first loop of the loop multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the first loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the first detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the first non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state;

when the detection sensor array is in the test state during a second loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that all of the multiple detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the control module is configured to determine for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors;

(a) whether such detection sensor is a second detecting detection sensor that detects modulated electromagnetic radiation or (b) whether such detection sensor is a second non-detecting detection sensor that does not detect modulated electromagnetic radiation;

for the second loop of the loop multiple times, second detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise detecting detection sensors and the second non-detecting detection sensors of the multiple detection sensors comprise the non-detecting detection sensors; and

when the detection sensor array is in the operational state during the second loop of the loop multiple times, and after the detection sensor array is in the test state during the second loop of the loop multiple times, the detection sensor array is configured such that the second detecting detection sensors operate in the enabled state and the second non-detecting detection sensors operate in the disabled state.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein at least one of:

the control module is configured to determine when the detection sensor array operates in the test state and the operational state;

the control module is further configured so that determining for each detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors whether such detection sensor is the first or the second detecting detection sensor further comprising determining for each sensor of the multiple detection sensors whether such detection sensor detects at least a predetermined amount of modulated electromagnetic radiation;

or

the first detecting detection sensors are different by at least one detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors than the second detecting detection sensors, and the first non-detecting detection sensors are different by at least one detection sensor of the multiple detection sensors than the second non-detecting detection sensors.