Intensity estimation using binary sensor array with spatially varying thresholds
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of sub-diffraction limit light sensors wherein each sensor has an associated activation threshold for switching an output state of the sensor from a first state to a second state and wherein the activation thresholds of at least some of the sensors are defined by different numbers of photons;
a processor; and
a memory including computer program code,wherein the memory and computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform estimating light incident on the plurality of sensors by interpreting the output states of the plurality of sensors in dependence upon a distribution of different activation thresholds of the sensors, wherein the different activation thresholds are defined by different numbers of photons.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes an array containing N sub-diffraction limit light sensors each having an associated light absorption activation threshold for switching from a reset state to an activated state, where the light absorption activation values lie within a range of values. The apparatus further includes a processor connected with a memory including computer program code, where the memory and computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform estimating an intensity of light that illuminates the array based on electrical outputs of the array.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of sub-diffraction limit light sensors wherein each sensor has an associated activation threshold for switching an output state of the sensor from a first state to a second state and wherein the activation thresholds of at least some of the sensors are defined by different numbers of photons; a processor; and a memory including computer program code, wherein the memory and computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform estimating light incident on the plurality of sensors by interpreting the output states of the plurality of sensors in dependence upon a distribution of different activation thresholds of the sensors, wherein the different activation thresholds are defined by different numbers of photons. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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providing a plurality of sub-diffraction limit light sensors wherein each sensor has an associated activation threshold for switching an output state of the sensor from a first state to a second state and wherein the activation thresholds of at least some of the sensors are defined by different numbers of photons; and estimating light incident on the plurality of sensors by interpreting the output states of the plurality of sensors in dependence upon a distribution of different activation thresholds of the sensors, wherein the different activation thresholds are defined by different numbers of photons. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, at least perform estimating light incident on a plurality of sensors by interpreting output states of the plurality of sensors in dependence upon a distribution of different activation thresholds of the sensors, wherein the different activation thresholds are defined by different numbers of photons, and each sensor has an associated activation threshold for switching an output state of the sensor from a first state to a second state.
Specification