Auto-Focus Image Sensor Color Correction Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital image processing devices require additional focus detecting devices and optical lenses, increasing costs and size, and existing auto-focus image sensors do not efficiently correct pixel values for color correction, leading to inefficiencies in image processing.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that includes a memory and a color correction circuit to store and apply pre-generated correction information for pixel values from auto-focus image sensors, allowing for conversion of pixel values from one color to another, reducing calculation and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional focus detecting devices and optical lenses are used, then focus detection capability is improved, but device cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the focus detection function with the image sensor by integrating phase difference detection pixels directly into the sensor array. This merging eliminates the need for separate focus detecting devices and additional optical lenses, thereby reducing device size and complexity while maintaining focus detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously captures images and detects phase differences for focus control. The sensor array includes both regular image pixels and phase difference detection pixels, allowing a single device to serve dual purposes without requiring additional specialized components.
2Measurement precision
If pixel values from auto-focus image sensor are corrected using conventional methods, then color accuracy is improved, but calculation time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates correction values for pixel color conversion during a calibration phase and stores these values in memory. During actual image processing, the system simply retrieves and applies these pre-computed correction values rather than performing complex real-time calculations, significantly reducing calculation time and power consumption while maintaining color accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If real-time color correction calculations are performed, then color accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs color correction calculations in advance during manufacturing or initial calibration, storing the correction parameters in memory. During normal operation, only simple lookup and application of these pre-computed values is required, dramatically reducing real-time power consumption while preserving color accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a memory and a color correction circuit. The memory stores first correction information that used for correcting first pixel values among a plurality of pixel values. The plurality of pixel values are received from an auto-focus image sensor including first pixels configured to detect a phase difference and second pixels configured to detect an image. The first pixel values are obtained from the first pixels and correspond to a first color. The first correction information is used for correcting the first pixel values to correspond to a second color different from the first color. The color correction circuit receives first image frame data including the plurality of pixel values from the auto-focus image sensor, loads the first correction information from the memory, and generates first corrected image frame data by correcting the first pixel values included in the first image frame data to correspond to the second color based on the first correction information.