Heterogeneous Image Sensor Preprocessing Circuit Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensing devices face compatibility issues between image data acquired using heterogeneous image sensors and image signal processors, particularly due to differences in optical paths and intensities between single-color and multi-color image sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image sensing device with a single-color image sensor and a multi-color image sensor, where preprocessing circuitry corrects optical path differences and merges image data to align pixel streams, generating third image data in formats like Bayer or Bayer+ that are compatible with image signal processors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heterogeneous image sensors (single-color and multi-color) are used together, then image quality and resolution are improved, but compatibility issues arise between image data and image signal processor
Solution Approach 1:
A preprocessing circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the heterogeneous image sensors and the image signal processor. This preprocessing circuit performs optical path correction and data merging operations to transform data from different sensor types into a unified format that is compatible with standard image signal processors, thereby resolving the compatibility issue without sacrificing the benefits of heterogeneous sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system is divided into distinct functional segments: the heterogeneous image sensors (single-color and multi-color), the preprocessing circuit (which handles optical path correction and data merging), and the image signal processor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while ensuring overall system compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single-color and multi-color image sensors with different resolutions are used, then image data compatibility is improved, but optical path differences cause misalignment between pixel streams
Solution Approach 1:
The preprocessing circuit performs preliminary optical path correction before the image data is processed further. By correcting the optical path differences in advance and aligning the pixel streams from single-color and multi-color sensors, the system ensures proper alignment is established before subsequent processing steps occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The preprocessing circuit merges the pixel streams from single-color and multi-color image sensors into a unified aligned image data format. This merging process combines data from sensors with different resolutions and characteristics while maintaining proper spatial alignment through optical path correction.
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensing device includes a single-color image sensor and a multi-color image sensor having resolutions different from each other; image data receiving circuitry configured to receive first image data from the single-color image sensor and second image data from the multi-color image sensor; first preprocessor circuitry configured to generate first aligned image data and second aligned image data based on the first image data and the second image data, respectively, by correcting an optical path difference between a pixel stream of the first image data and a pixel stream of the second image; and second preprocessor circuitry configured to generate third image data by merging the first aligned image data and the second aligned image data.