Coded Infrared Cut Filter for RGB and NIR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing devices face challenges in achieving high-resolution RGB and NIR image capture while maintaining compactness and cost-effectiveness, as they require multiple optical paths and specialized image sensors, which increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A coded infrared cut filter with an infrared cut unit and a transmissive unit is integrated into a general image capturing device, allowing for image processing of both visible light and near-infrared regions by separating incident light into multiple colors and using image processing to acquire and interpolate pixel information, thereby generating RGB and NIR signals without the need for multiple optical paths or specialized sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a general image capturing device is used without an infrared cut filter, then near-infrared light can be captured for sensitive imaging, but color reproduction deteriorates due to interference from near-infrared light
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple regions with different infrared transmittance characteristics (first region with first transmittance, second region with second transmittance) to simultaneously achieve color reproduction accuracy and light sensitivity through spatial segmentation of filtering functions
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter are assigned different local properties (varying infrared transmittance values) to optimize both color reproduction in some regions and light sensitivity in other regions, rather than applying a uniform filtering characteristic across the entire filter
2Manufacturing precision
If an infrared cut filter is added to eliminate near-infrared light, then color reproduction improves, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a color separation filter and an infrared management filter with varying transmittance characteristics, eliminating the need for separate infrared cut filters and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared filtering function is merged with the existing color filter structure by incorporating regions of different infrared transmittance directly into the filter design, rather than adding a separate infrared cut filter component
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple optical paths and specialized sensors are used to capture high-resolution RGB and NIR images, then image quality improves, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing both visible light and near-infrared light simultaneously through the coded filter, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors and reducing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The RGB imaging function and NIR imaging function are merged into a single optical path and sensor system through the use of a coded filter with varying infrared transmittance, rather than requiring separate optical paths and sensors
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 configuration enables efficient image processing of visible light and near-infrared regions using a standard image capturing device, reducing production costs and minimizing device failures, while maintaining high image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a coded infrared cut filter which is provided in front of the color filter in the light traveling direction or between the color filter and the photo sensor, and which includes an infrared cut unit which cuts a near infrared light and an infrared transmissive unit which passes the near infrared light
Implementation Method 2
a photo sensor which converts the plurality of colors which the color filter has separated into data representing image signals
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image capturing device that can easily perform image processing of visible light region and that of near infrared region, while utilizing a general image capturing device structure. The image capturing device comprises: a color filter that divides an incident light into a plurality of color lights; a photo sensor that converts the plurality of color lights as divided by the color filter to data representing image signals; a coded infrared cut filter that is placed before the color filter in the light proceeding direction or between the color filter and the photo sensor and that has infrared cut parts for cutting off near infrared lights and infrared passage parts for allowing near infrared lights to pass therethrough; and an image processing means that acquires a plurality of pieces of color information and a piece of near infrared information for each of a plurality of pixels on the basis of a plurality of image signals related to the lights having passed through the infrared cut parts and an image signal related to the light having passed through the infrared passage part for each of the pixel and adjacent pixels.