Image Sensor Color Splitting Element Low Luminance Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors struggle to effectively recognize objects in low luminance environments, particularly in applications requiring color information for safe vehicle operation and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor incorporates a color splitting structure with unit pixels comprising multiple sub-pixels, including color sub-pixels with a color splitting element and clear sub-pixels, which absorb specific infrared wavelengths and enhance light component separation, increasing optical absorption and purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a monochrome sensor or red-clear sensor is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the recognition rate of objects in low luminance environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each pixel is divided into multiple sub-pixels (e.g., red, green, blue, and clear sub-pixels), allowing the sensor to capture different wavelength components separately. This segmentation enables color information acquisition in low luminance conditions without requiring a completely complex sensor architecture, thus improving recognition rate while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spectral dimension by capturing light at different wavelengths through multiple sub-pixels with different color filtering characteristics. This dimensional expansion from single-channel (monochrome) to multi-channel (color) sensing improves object recognition capability in low luminance environments while managing system complexity through integrated circuit design.
2Loss of information
If color filtering is added to capture color information, then the color information capture capability is improved, but the light absorption efficiency in low luminance environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different sub-pixels within the same pixel are assigned different color filtering characteristics (red, green, blue, or clear) to selectively capture specific wavelength ranges. This local differentiation allows the sensor to maintain color information capture capability while optimizing light absorption efficiency for each sub-pixel according to its specific function, particularly preserving more light for clear sub-pixels in low luminance conditions.
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 configuration enhances the recognition rate and visibility of objects in low luminance environments by increasing the intensity and purity of light components, allowing for improved color information capture.
Implementation Method 1
a color splitting element that has a first refractive index greater than a second refractive index of a material that surrounds the first color splitting element
Implementation Method 2
The first and the second color sub-pixels may have a relatively high optical absorption rate with respect to light in an infrared wavelength band, compared to light having a wavelength outside the infrared wavelength band
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor including a color splitting element and a method of operating the image sensor are provided. The image sensor may include a plurality of unit pixels, and each pixel of the plurality of unit pixels may include a plurality of color sub-pixels. At least one color sub-pixel of the plurality of color sub-pixels may include a color splitting element that has a first refractive index greater than a second refractive index of a material that surrounds the first color splitting element.