Dual-Camera Pixel Layout for Fast Focus and IR Distance Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image sensor technologies in mobile terminals are limited in detecting object distance and focusing speed, especially under natural light conditions, which affects the user's photographing experience and scenario diversity.

Innovation Solution

A dual-camera module setup is implemented, where one camera module uses a full-pixel dual-core focus (2PD) pixel array with RGB subpixels and the other uses an RGB-IR pixel array with an infrared subpixel, enabling fast focusing and distance detection using infrared light, and stereoscopic imaging through triangulation ranging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the image capturing unit is disposed to protrude from the mobile terminal to increase shooting distance, then the shooting distance is increased, but the portability is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshooting distanceVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device is designed to be movable relative to the terminal body through a driving mechanism. The projection unit can extend outward to increase shooting distance when needed, and retract into the terminal body when not in use, thus maintaining portability. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between two states: extended for long-distance shooting and retracted for compact portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of moving object

If the projection unit is retracted to improve portability, then portability is improved, but the image capturing capability is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidimage capturing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the projection unit's position based on operational needs. When image capturing is required, the driving mechanism extends the projection unit to the shooting position. When not in use, it retracts to improve portability. This dynamic switching ensures that image capturing capability is maintained when needed without permanently compromising portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The projection unit is pre-configured within the terminal body in a retracted state that optimizes portability. Before image capturing operations, the system preliminarily positions the projection unit by extending it to the appropriate shooting distance, ensuring both portability and capturing capability are optimized at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Length of moving object

If the image capturing unit is disposed to protrude to increase shooting distance, then the shooting distance is increased, but the structural complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshooting distanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A driving mechanism is introduced to enable dynamic extension and retraction of the projection unit. This mechanical system, while adding some complexity, allows the projection unit to achieve extended shooting distance when needed and return to a compact state otherwise, balancing the trade-off between shooting distance and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures fast focusing, enhances image quality, and provides a stereoscopic photographing function, improving user experience and functionality by allowing imaging in various light conditions and background blurring.

Implementation Method 1

a second pixel array corresponding to the second image sensor includes a preset quantity of second pixel units arranged in a second predetermined manner, and the second pixel unit includes a first pixel, a second pixel and a third pixel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

enabling fast focusing and distance detection using infrared light, and stereoscopic imaging through triangulation ranging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriangulation ranging:

Implementation Method 3

A pixel array arrangement mode of a full-pixel dual-core focus ( full-pixel dual-core focus, 2PD) technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase detection:

Implementation Method 4

a phase detection auto focus (Phase Detection Auto Focus, PDAF) technical solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3826292B1Mobile terminal and image capturing method
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3826292B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3826292B1 patent drawingFigure 1d~2
  • EP3826292B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4c

AI summary

This disclosure provides mobile terminal and image photographing method. The mobile terminal includes first camera module and second camera module. First pixel array corresponding to first image sensor of the first camera module includes preset quantity of first pixel units arranged in first predetermined manner, and the first pixel unit includes first and second pixels. Second pixel array corresponding to the second image sensor includes preset quantity of second pixel units arranged in second predetermined manner, and the second pixel unit includes first pixel. The first pixel includes red, green, and blue subpixels. The second pixel includes the green subpixel and infrared subpixel, and at least one of the red subpixel and the blue subpixel. The first pixel and the second pixel are full-pixel dual-core focus pixels, and each of the first pixel and the second pixel includes four full-pixel dual-core focus subpixels.