Image Sensor Ambient Light Compensation via Segmented Photosensitive Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensors are prone to poor imaging quality due to the influence of ambient light, as they often rely on photodiodes that are easily affected by such interference factors.
Innovation Solution
An image sensing apparatus is designed with a substrate featuring a pixel array and an environment sensor, where each pixel includes a first photosensitive element generating a signal with both signal light and ambient light information, and a second photosensitive element generating ambient light information, which is used to correct the imaging results by an external control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If photodiodes are used as photoelectric conversion elements in image sensors, then the device structure is simple and cost is low, but the imaging quality deteriorates due to sensitivity to ambient light and interference factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel structure into two distinct photosensitive elements: a first photosensitive element for capturing signal light and an environment sensor (second photosensitive element) for capturing ambient light. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each element's function, enabling the main pixel array to maintain simple photodiode structure while adding dedicated ambient light sensing capability to improve imaging quality through subsequent processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The environment sensor acts as an intermediary that separately measures ambient light conditions and provides this information to the processing unit. This intermediary element enables the system to compensate for ambient light interference without fundamentally changing the structure of the main image sensing elements, thus improving imaging quality while preserving the simplicity of the primary photodiode-based pixel array.
2Measurement precision
If ambient light compensation is implemented using separate environment sensors, then imaging quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing ambient light sensing only in specific regions where it is most needed, rather than adding complex compensation mechanisms to every pixel. The environment sensors are strategically positioned to capture ambient light characteristics, and the processing unit applies compensation selectively to relevant portions of the image data, thereby improving imaging quality without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ambient light compensation function with the existing image processing pipeline. The processing unit integrates environment sensor data with pixel array output through software-based compensation algorithms, combining multiple functions (image capture, ambient light sensing, and compensation) into a unified processing flow. This merging approach improves imaging quality while avoiding the need for separate complex hardware compensation circuits.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple photosensitive elements are integrated into each pixel, then ambient light influence is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses alignment precision challenges by transitioning from a planar two-dimensional pixel structure to a three-dimensional stacked architecture. The first photosensitive element and environment sensor are positioned at different vertical levels (depth dimensions) within the sensor stack, allowing ambient light compensation without requiring extremely precise lateral alignment between elements. This dimensional change relaxes manufacturing precision requirements while effectively reducing ambient light influence.
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 solution effectively eliminates the impact of ambient light on image capturing, improving imaging quality by using the ambient light information to correct the signals, thereby enhancing the compatibility and reducing implementation costs.
Implementation Method 1
each pixel includes a first photosensitive element and a pixel switch, and the first photosensitive element is configured to generate a first electrical signal including signal light information and ambient light information
Implementation Method 2
an environment sensor including at least one second photosensitive element, wherein the at least one second photosensitive element is configured to generate a second electrical signal including ambient light information
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an image sensing apparatus, including: a substrate; a plurality of pixels disposed in an array on the substrate, wherein each pixel includes a first photosensitive element and a pixel switch, and the first photosensitive element is configured to generate a first electrical signal including signal light information and ambient light information; and an environment sensor including at least one second photosensitive element, wherein the at least one second photosensitive element is configured to generate a second electrical signal including ambient light information. The image sensing apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively eliminate the influence of ambient light on the image capturing and improve the imaging quality.