HDR Pixel Region Layout With Coincident Centers for Color Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging devices with honeycomb pixel arrangements face challenges in accurately calculating pixel values due to deviations in the central positions of main and sub-photosensitive regions, leading to false colors and artifacts in high dynamic range images.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with each pixel divided into high-sensitive, medium-sensitive, and low-sensitive regions, where the central positions of these regions coincide, allowing for accurate light collection and reduced saturation, and utilizing micro lenses for incident light, enabling precise pixel value calculation and artifact-free high dynamic range image generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sub-photosensitive region is positioned at an end portion of a hexagonal pixel to reduce saturation in high-luminance imaging, then the saturation resistance is improved, but the central position deviation between main and sub-photosensitive regions causes false colors and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel is divided into a main photosensitive region and a sub-photosensitive region, with each region having a specific geometric shape (main region as a larger polygon and sub-region as a smaller polygon at the center). This segmentation allows the sub-region to receive less light for saturation resistance while both regions image the same subject position due to their coincident centers, eliminating false colors and artifacts.
2Measurement precision
If the main photosensitive region has a large area to improve low-luminance imaging accuracy, then the light reception capability is improved, but the sub-photosensitive region becomes more difficult to saturate causing dynamic range limitations
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the pixel are assigned different sensitivities through area differentiation. The main photosensitive region has a larger area for high sensitivity in low-luminance conditions, while the sub-photosensitive region has a smaller area for reduced sensitivity to prevent saturation in high-luminance conditions. Both regions share the same central position to maintain imaging accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pixel regions with different sensitivities are combined to expand dynamic range, then the dynamic range is improved, but the central position deviation between regions causes incorrect pixel value calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel is segmented into multiple photosensitive regions with different areas and sensitivities, all sharing the same central position. This allows the system to select or combine outputs from different regions based on luminance conditions to achieve wide dynamic range while maintaining accurate pixel value calculation through the coincident centers.
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 enables the generation of high-quality high dynamic range images with accurate luminance representation from low to high luminance levels without false colors or artifacts, by ensuring all sensitive pixel regions image the same subject position and controlling output values based on luminance.
Implementation Method 1
an individual micro lens is provided for each pixel that constitutes an imaging element
Implementation Method 2
each pixel of the imaging element includes: a high-sensitive pixel region at a central portion of the pixel; and a low-sensitive pixel region surrounding the high-sensitive pixel region
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device in which each pixel of an imaging element is divided into a plurality of pixel regions with different sensitivities of which central positions coincide with each other, and a high dynamic range image is generated on the basis of an output of each region. An imaging element is included on which imaging light is incident through a micro lens corresponding to each pixel. Each pixel of the imaging element includes a high-sensitive pixel region at a central portion of the pixel and a low-sensitive pixel region configured at an inner peripheral portion near sides of the pixel and surrounding the high-sensitive pixel region, and has a configuration in which central positions of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region coincide with each other. Moreover, a medium-sensitive pixel region may be included between the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region.