Color Filter Structure With Subdivided Bands for Richer Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image sensors in mobile devices generate single images with limited wavelength bands per color channel, restricting imaging effects and diversification, making it difficult to improve imaging quality beyond daily photographing needs.

Innovation Solution

A color filter structure with subdivided wavelength bands, allowing each color filter group to transmit light of multiple preset wavelength bands, enabling the generation of multiple sub-images per color channel, which are processed to meet diverse user requirements and enhance imaging capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each color channel corresponds to a single wavelength band, then the device structure is simple, but the imaging effects and diversification are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging effects and diversificationVSAvoidcolor filter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides each color channel's wavelength band into multiple preset wavelength bands (e.g., red channel divided into red1, red2, red3 bands). Each color filter group contains multiple color filters corresponding to different wavelength bands within the same color channel. This segmentation enables the acquisition of multiple sub-images with different wavelength information, thereby improving imaging effects and diversification without requiring completely separate color channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If multiple wavelength bands are assigned to a single color channel, then richer image information is obtained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage information richnessVSAvoidcolor filter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wavelength spectrum into multiple preset wavelength bands (e.g., 480-520nm, 520-560nm, 560-600nm for green channel). Each color filter group contains multiple color filters, where each filter transmits a specific wavelength band. This allows the system to capture multiple sub-images with different wavelength information, reducing information loss while maintaining a manageable device structure through systematic arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes each color filter group serve multiple functions by enabling it to capture multiple wavelength bands within a color channel. The same color filter group structure is used across different color channels (red, green, blue), and each channel's filters can capture multiple sub-images. This multi-functionality increases image information richness without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural pattern is reused across channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If subdivided wavelength bands are used, then more detailed image processing functions are enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength band precisionVSAvoidcolor filter assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the wavelength spectrum into discrete preset wavelength bands with specific ranges (e.g., 440-480nm for blue1, 480-520nm for blue2). Each color filter is designed to transmit a specific wavelength band with defined boundaries. This segmentation approach enables precise wavelength band control while simplifying manufacturing compared to continuous spectrum filtering, as each filter targets a specific discrete band rather than requiring precise continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution provides richer image information and more detailed image processing functions, enabling higher-quality imaging results and improved user experience through enhanced image analysis and processing.

Implementation Method 1

Each color filter group includes multiple color filters, and for each color filter group, the color filters transmit light of multiple preset wavelength bands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP3993399B1Color filter structure, related photographing method, device, terminal, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3993399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3993399B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3993399B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A color filter structure includes multiple color filter groups. Each color filter group includes multiple color filters. For each color filter group, the multiple color filters transmit light of preset wavelength bands, and each color filter corresponding to a respective preset wavelength band. At least two of the preset wavelength bands correspond to a common color channel.