Color Filter Array Infrared Signal Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color image sensing apparatuses require separate infrared (IR) blocking filters, increasing production costs and complicating the technology, while also struggling to accurately capture images in varying illumination levels and dark environments.
Innovation Solution
A color image sensing apparatus with a color filter array that includes red-, green-, and blue-pass filters capable of passing infrared rays, combined with an image sensor and processor that corrects visible light signals based on IR signals, eliminating the need for a separate IR blocking filter and enhancing image precision across different illumination levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate IR blocking filter is used to prevent infrared-ray infiltration, then measurement precision of color is improved, but production cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the IR blocking function into the existing color filter array by making the red-pass filter transparent to IR while keeping green and blue filters opaque to IR. This integration eliminates the need for a separate IR blocking filter, reducing device complexity while maintaining color measurement precision through software-based IR compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral transmission parameters of the color filters, specifically making the red-pass filter transparent to IR wavelengths while maintaining its red light transmission properties. This parameter change allows IR signals to reach specific photodiodes for separate detection and compensation, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a separate IR blocking filter is stacked on the photodiode to block infrared-rays, then measurement precision is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the IR blocking function with the color filter array structure, eliminating the need for separate IR blocking filter stacking processes. This merging approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise color measurement through selective filter transparency and software compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the IR blocking requirement from the physical filter stacking approach and implements it through a combination of selective filter transparency and digital signal processing. This extraction eliminates expensive manufacturing steps while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If the color filter array passes infrared-rays through red-, green- and blue-pass filters, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to IR influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the red-pass filter transparent to IR wavelengths while keeping green and blue filters opaque to IR. This localized transparency allows IR signals to reach only specific photodiodes, enabling precise IR compensation without affecting overall manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral transmission parameters of individual color filters, specifically adjusting the red-pass filter to be transparent to IR while maintaining standard transmission characteristics for green and blue filters. This parameter change enables easy manufacturing with standard filters while improving color measurement precision through controlled IR transmission.
4Measurement precision
If infrared-ray signal is used to compensate color at high illumination level, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using IR signal measurements from specific photodiodes to calculate and apply compensation factors to the red, green, and blue color signals. This feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts color values based on IR content, improving precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through software-based processing.
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 solution reduces production costs, improves image precision by compensating for IR influence at high illumination levels, and enables image capture in dark environments by reinforcing color using IR signals, providing images suitable for varying brightness levels.
Implementation Method 1
a red-light photodiode formed in a semiconductor substrate and accumulating charges corresponding to light passing through a red-pass filter which passes infrared-rays as well as red light
Data Source
AI summary
A color image sensing apparatus and a method of processing an infrared-ray signal are provided. The image sensing apparatus includes: a color filter array including a plurality of color filter units, each color filter unit including a red-pass filter, a preen-pass filter, and a blue-pass filter, and at least one of the red-, green- and blue-pass filters passing infrared-rays; an image sensor for providing an image signal corresponding to light passing through the color filter array, the image signal including a red light signal, a green light signal, a blue light signal, and an infrared-ray signal; and an image signal processor for correcting and processing at least one of the red light signal, the green light signal and the blue light signal in response to the infrared-ray signal.