Image Pickup System White Spot Detection via Dual Optical Disparity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup systems struggle to effectively detect and correct white spot pixels that occur after the manufacturing stage due to crystal defects, which can degrade over time or increase with temperature changes, as the detection methods are limited to the manufacturing stage and cannot cope with changes post-shipping.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup system that generates two optical images with disparity or different luminance, stores their formation position and disparity/luminance information, and uses image processing units to compare luminance values and detect white spots, allowing for accurate detection and correction of pixel defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional detection methods are used during manufacturing stage, then detection process is simple, but white spot pixels generated after shipping cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic detection capability by enabling the system to perform white spot detection at multiple time points (manufacturing stage and post-shipping stage). The detection system transitions from a static manufacturing-only approach to a dynamic multi-stage approach, allowing the device to adaptively detect white spots regardless of when they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing initial white spot detection during manufacturing stage and storing the results. This preliminary detection establishes a baseline that can be compared against future detections, enabling the system to identify new white spots that develop after shipping without requiring complete re-detection of all pixels.
2Measurement precision
If detection is performed only during manufacturing stage, then detection cost is low, but detection accuracy for time-dependent defects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary white spot detection during manufacturing stage and stores the results for later comparison. This preliminary action captures early defects while minimizing initial detection time, and the stored data enables efficient post-shipping detection without requiring full re-scanning of all pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the detection results from manufacturing stage and stores it in memory. This copied data serves as a reference for post-shipping comparisons, allowing the system to efficiently detect new white spots by comparing current images against the stored reference without repeating the entire detection process.
3Reliability
If conventional correction methods are used, then correction of pre-existing white spots is effective, but correction of newly generated white spots is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring for white spots and comparing current detection results against previously stored results. When new white spots are detected, the system provides feedback to update the correction data, ensuring that correction algorithms remain adaptive to newly generated defects rather than relying solely on pre-shipping correction information.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction system transitions from a static pre-programmed approach to a dynamic adaptive approach. The correction data is updated based on ongoing detection results, allowing the system to adapt to new white spots that develop after shipping rather than being limited to correcting only pre-existing defects.
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
Enables accurate detection and correction of white spot pixels in real-time, improving the reliability of image pickup systems by addressing the limitations of conventional methods that only detect defects during manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
perform photoelectric conversion on a first optical image and a second optical image formed on the image pickup unit to respectively output the first optical image and the second optical image as a first image pickup signal and a second image pickup signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup system including an optical system configured to generate a first optical image and a second optical image having disparity, of an object, includes a storage unit configured to store in advance image formation position information and disparity information of the first optical image and the second optical image, and an image processing unit configured to generate a first image signal and a second image signal for display by respectively cutting out a first region corresponding to the first optical image and a second region corresponding to the second optical image, and the image processing unit includes a luminance value comparing unit configured to compare luminance values of respective pixels in the first image signal and the second image signal, and a detecting unit configured to detect a pixel defect based on the comparison result of the luminance value comparing unit.