Color Separation Lens Array Imaging for Blur and Color Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors with color separation lens arrays suffer from reduced spatial resolution due to blur, grid artifacts, and color mixing, despite increasing light utilization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor incorporates a color separation lens array with a microstructure that concentrates light of different wavelengths in adjacent light sensing cells, accompanied by a signal processor that adjusts and combines red and blue signals based on green signal changes, and employs edge detection and filtering to enhance spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a color separation lens array is used to concentrate light of different wavelengths in adjacent light sensing cells, then light utilization efficiency is increased, but spatial resolution is reduced due to blur, grid artifacts, and color mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the color separation process into distinct segments by using separate color filters for different wavelength ranges. The first color filter separates short wavelengths (blue light) while the second color filter separates long wavelengths (red light), allowing each filter to specialize in a specific wavelength range and reduce interference between colors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different color filters with different spectral characteristics to different regions or layers of the image sensor. The first color filter is optimized for blue light separation while the second color filter is optimized for red light separation, creating local optimization of light separation quality for different wavelength ranges
2Loss of information
If color filters are used in a Bayer pattern structure, then color imaging is achieved, but light utilization efficiency is reduced because each filter absorbs light of remaining colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color filtering function into two separate layers: the first color filter layer handles short wavelength separation and the second color filter layer handles long wavelength separation. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for specific wavelength ranges, reducing the light absorption losses inherent in single-layer Bayer pattern filters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane color filter arrangement to a multi-layer stacked structure. By adding the vertical dimension with multiple color filter layers, the system can separate different wavelength ranges in sequence, allowing more efficient use of incident light across the visible spectrum
3Quantity of substance
If a color separation lens array concentrates light in adjacent light sensing cells, then additional light is received through optical paths of peripheral pixels, but blur and color mixing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light detection function by using different color filters for different wavelength ranges. The first color filter detects short wavelengths while the second color filter detects long wavelengths, allowing the system to receive additional light through peripheral pixels without significant color mixing because each pixel type is optimized for specific wavelength detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces color filters as intermediary elements between the color separation lens array and the light sensing cells. These filters act as mediators that selectively transmit or block specific wavelength ranges, preventing unwanted color mixing while still allowing the color separation lens array to concentrate light from peripheral pixels
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 improves spatial resolution while utilizing additional light through peripheral pixels, reducing blur and color mixing, thereby enhancing image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
a color separation lens array which is formed to have a phase distribution that concentrates light of different wavelengths in light sensing cells, among a plurality of light sensing cells, adjacent to each other
Implementation Method 2
the color separation lens array may be on the sensor substrate and includes a microstructure that forms a phase distribution configured to concentrate light of different wavelengths in light sensing cells
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for obtaining an image includes an image sensor and a signal processing unit that includes a demosaicing unit configured to reconstruct a green signal to have a full pixel resolution by using the input image, a sharpening filter unit configured to generate a first image by sharpening the reconstructed green signal for each preset direction, a direction image generation unit which generates a second image by removing a base band and extracting only a detail band, a gray detection unit configured to detect a gray region of the white balance-processed input image, an edge detection unit configured to detect an edge direction of the white balance-processed input image, and a selection unit configured to generate a third image by blending the first image and the second image, based on the detected gray region and the detected edge direction.