Image Sensor Color Deviation Suppression via Temperature and Exposure Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capturing apparatuses fail to correct color deviation caused by noise due to temperature and exposure time, resulting in images with colors different from the actual object.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus and method that includes an image sensor, exposure time control unit, gain control unit, temperature detection unit, and color suppression or white balance processing unit, which determine and adjust noise levels based on exposure time and temperature to reduce color deviation by applying appropriate color suppression or white balance corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional noise suppression techniques are applied, then noise due to gain is suppressed, but color deviation caused by noise due to temperature and exposure time is not corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing temperature and exposure time as additional parameters for noise level determination. The system calculates noise levels based on these parameters using predetermined relationships, and adjusts color suppression accordingly. This resolves the contradiction by expanding the parameter space from just gain to include temperature and exposure time, enabling comprehensive noise suppression that corrects color deviation while maintaining noise suppression effectiveness.
2Illumination intensity
If exposure time is increased to improve image brightness, then more light is captured, but noise due to exposure time increases causing color deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring exposure time and temperature parameters, determining the corresponding noise level, and dynamically adjusting color suppression strength based on the calculated noise level. This feedback loop ensures that when exposure time increases causing more noise, the system automatically increases color suppression to compensate, maintaining color accuracy while allowing flexible exposure time adjustment for brightness control.
3Reliability
If temperature increases during image capture, then sensor performance may improve in some aspects, but noise due to temperature increases causing color deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the relationship between temperature, exposure time, and noise levels through predetermined relationships or lookup tables. Before actual image capture and processing, the system has already determined how noise levels vary with temperature and exposure time parameters. This allows the color suppression function to immediately apply appropriate correction based on current conditions without real-time calculation delays, effectively compensating for temperature-induced noise while maintaining sensor performance benefits.
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 effectively reduces color deviation caused by noise, improving color reproducibility regardless of temperature and exposure time, leading to more accurate and reliable image capture.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert incident light into an image signal and to output the image signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert incident light into an image signal and to output the image signal; an exposure time control unit configured to control exposure time when an image is sensed by the image sensor; a gain control unit configured to control a gain to be applied to the image signal; a temperature detection unit; and a color suppression unit configured to determine, from at least one of the exposure time and the temperature, a noise level that changes with the exposure time and the temperature and to suppress, on the basis of a level of color deviation that corresponds to the determined noise level and of the gain, a color component of the image signal so that the color deviation is reduced.