Digital Camera Photo Detector Arrays Eliminate Color Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital cameras face challenges in achieving smaller size, lower cost, and higher performance due to the complexity of lens systems and color separation methods, which often compromise image quality and size constraints, especially in applications like cell phones.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple arrays of photo detectors and signal processing circuitry to combine signals from each array, optimizing them for specific colors or wavelengths, and integrating these elements with tailored lenses and signal processing techniques to produce a composite image, reducing the need for traditional color filter arrays and complex lens systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional color filter arrays and complex lens systems are used, then color separation and image quality are improved, but device size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color separation function from traditional optical components (lenses and color filter arrays) and relocates it to the digital domain through signal processing circuitry. Multiple arrays of photo detectors capture different color information independently, and the color separation is performed electronically by combining signals from these arrays, eliminating the need for physical color filters and complex lens systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical color separation system (lenses with color filters) with an electronic signal processing system. Instead of using physical color filter arrays that require complex optical paths and multiple lens elements, the invention uses multiple photo detector arrays with associated signal processing circuitry that performs color separation through electronic signal combination, substituting mechanical/optical complexity with electronic processing.
2Measurement precision
If traditional color filter arrays and complex lens systems are used, then color separation capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color separation function from expensive optical components and relocates it to the digital domain. By using multiple arrays of photo detectors with independent signal processing circuitry, the invention performs color separation electronically, eliminating the need for costly color filter arrays and complex lens assemblies, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining color separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive mechanical/optical color separation system with an electronic signal processing system. Multiple photo detector arrays capture color information, and the signal processing circuitry combines these signals to achieve color separation, substituting costly optical components with more economical electronic processing while improving manufacturability.
3Device complexity
If multiple arrays of photo detectors with signal processing circuitry are used, then device size is reduced, but image quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capture function into multiple independent arrays of photo detectors, each optimized for specific color detection. By dividing the overall imaging function across multiple specialized arrays rather than using a single complex system, the invention achieves compact size while maintaining image quality through the combined output of these segmented detectors and their associated signal processing circuitry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the creation of compact digital cameras with improved image quality, reduced physical thickness, and increased functionality by optimizing each array for specific color detection, eliminating the need for complex lens systems and color filter arrays, thus addressing the size and cost constraints while enhancing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a first wavelength... and a second array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a second wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes sampling a first intensity of light with a first array of photo detectors of a digital camera. A second intensity of light is sampled with a second array of photo detectors of the digital camera. A first channel processor coupled to the first array of photo detectors generates a first image using first array data which is representative of the first intensity of light sampled by the first array of photo detectors. A second channel processor coupled to the second array of photo detectors generates a second image using second array data which is representative of the second intensity of light sampled by the second array of photo detectors. The first array of photo detectors, the second array of photo detectors, the first channel processor, and the second channel processor are integrated on or in a semiconductor substrate.