Combined Monochrome and Color Camera Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual sensor digital cameras require significant calibration and image registration, which can lead to errors and consume processor cycles, bandwidth, and power, making them inefficient in capturing high-quality color images.
Innovation Solution
A camera sensor that includes both clear pixel sensors and color pixel sensors arranged adjacent to each other, allowing for concurrent capture and processing of monochrome and color images without the need for additional calibration and image registration, using a greater number of clear pixel sensors to enhance color image resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dual sensor digital cameras use separate monochrome and color sensors to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but calibration and image registration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines monochrome and color pixel sensors into a single integrated sensor array, where clear pixels (monochrome) and color pixels are arranged in a specific pattern within the same sensor. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensor calibration and image registration processes, as both types of pixels capture images simultaneously from the same optical path, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining high image quality.
2Measurement precision
If dual sensor digital cameras perform image registration to account for different sensor positions, then image alignment is achieved, but processor cycles and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both monochrome and color pixels in a single sensor array, the patent eliminates the need for image registration processing. Since both pixel types are positioned at identical locations in the sensor array and capture light from the same optical path, images are inherently aligned, removing the computational burden of image registration and associated power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design enables self-alignment through its physical structure. The clear pixels and color pixels are co-located within the same sensor array, automatically ensuring that captured images are aligned without requiring external processing or calibration, thus reducing processor cycles and power usage.
3Measurement precision
If dual sensor digital cameras use separate sensors for monochrome and color images, then high resolution monochrome and color images are captured, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges monochrome and color sensing capabilities into a single integrated sensor array with a specific pixel pattern. This approach maintains high resolution for both monochrome and color images while simplifying the overall sensor configuration, as both types of pixels share the same physical substrate and optical path, reducing mechanical and calibration complexity.
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 the operation of digital cameras by eliminating the need for calibration and image registration, reducing power consumption, and enhancing color image quality by utilizing more processor cycles for other operations and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
a first subset of a plurality of pixel sensors included in a camera sensor having a plurality of monochrome filters disposed over the first subset of the plurality of pixel sensors, the first subset of the plurality of pixel sensors configured to capture a monochrome image of a scene
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of monochrome filters disposed over a first subset of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a plurality of color filters disposed over a second subset of the plurality of pixel sensors
Data Source
AI summary
In general, techniques are described regarding a combined monochrome and chromatic camera sensor. A camera comprising a camera sensor and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The camera sensor may include pixel sensors, monochrome filters disposed over a first subset of the pixel sensors, and color filters disposed over a second subset of the pixel sensors. The first subset of the pixel sensors may be configured to capture a monochrome image of a scene. The second subset of the pixel sensors may be configured to capture, concurrently with the capture of the monochrome image, a color image of the scene, where a number of the first subset of the pixel sensors is greater than a number of the second subset of the pixel sensors. The processor may be configured to process the monochrome image and the color image to obtain an enhanced color image of the scene.