High Resolution Array Camera Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of manufacturing 0.8 μm color image sensors make it challenging to produce high-resolution color images efficiently, as they are more expensive than 1.12 μm color image sensors, necessitating a less expensive method to achieve similar image quality.
Innovation Solution
Combining the output of a 1.12 μm color image sensor and a 0.9 μm monochrome image sensor, both with identical lens systems, to generate a high-resolution color image that matches the quality of a 0.8 μm color image sensor, leveraging the Bayer color filter array and interpolation techniques to enhance resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a 0.8 μm color image sensor is used to achieve high resolution, then image resolution is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into two separate camera modules: one dedicated to capturing high-resolution monochrome images and another for capturing color images. By segmenting the functions, the system achieves high resolution through the monochrome sensor while using a less expensive color sensor for color information, thus resolving the contradiction between resolution and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the output images from the monochrome camera module and the color camera module through image processing. The high-resolution monochrome image is merged with the color information from the color image, producing a final high-resolution color image that achieves the resolution of expensive 0.8 μm sensors at lower cost
2Ease of manufacture
If a 1.12 μm color image sensor is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but image resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging tasks by using the 1.12 μm color sensor solely for capturing color information, while a separate monochrome sensor handles high-resolution capture. This segmentation allows the color sensor to be larger and less expensive while still contributing to the final high-resolution output
Solution Approach 2:
The monochrome image acts as an intermediary that bridges the resolution gap. The high-resolution monochrome image serves as a template that is combined with the color data from the lower-resolution color sensor, effectively upgrading the resolution of the color image without requiring an expensive high-resolution color sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating a high resolution color image includes focusing a first image onto a monochrome image sensor having a P resolution and focusing a second image onto a color image sensor having a Q resolution, where Q<P, and where the first image is a same image as the second image. P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor is generated. Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor is generated. The P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor and the Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor are combined to generate an R resolution color image, where P<R≦(P+Q).