Image Sensor Detection Pixel for Color Mixing Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image sensor technologies face challenges in accurately correcting color mixing due to manufacturing variations, light wavelength, and angle of incidence, leading to inaccurate color mixing ratios and potential false colors in images.

Innovation Solution

An image sensor with a normal pixel group and a detection pixel within the effective pixel area, equipped with a light shielding film to prevent external light interference, allows for accurate detection and correction of color mixing by subtracting the light amount from neighboring pixels, using a subtraction unit that selects and weights detection pixel values based on positional relationships and saturation status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a color mixing detection pixel is provided at an area outside of the effective pixel, then the angle of incidence within the effective pixel is different from the angle of incidence outside of the effective pixel, but this leads to inaccurate color mixing detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor mixing detection accuracyVSAvoidangle of incidence consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel array is segmented into normal pixels for image capture and detection pixels for color mixing detection. Detection pixels are strategically placed within the effective pixel area rather than outside, allowing separate functional zones while maintaining consistent optical conditions for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Detection pixels act as intermediary elements within the effective pixel area that specifically detect color mixing light from neighboring pixels. By placing them within the effective area rather than outside, they serve as mediators that experience the same angle of incidence conditions as normal pixels, ensuring accurate color mixing detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If an OPB is provided only at a pixel of particular color, then black level and color mixing are outputted together, but this leads to inaccurate color mixing ratio calculation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical black pixel coverageVSAvoidcolor mixing ratio accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different pixels are assigned different functions based on their location and properties. Normal pixels capture image information while detection pixels specifically detect color mixing. The detection pixels are distributed across the effective pixel area to provide localized color mixing detection that accounts for spatial variations in color mixing ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If detection pixels are provided to detect color mixing, then color mixing can be corrected, but this increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor mixing correction capabilityVSAvoidpixel array structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection pixels are merged into the effective pixel area rather than being placed separately in the optical black area. This integration allows color mixing detection to be performed within the same pixel array structure used for image capture, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining correction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel array serves multiple functions: normal pixels capture image information while detection pixels detect color mixing. By integrating detection pixels within the effective pixel area, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated areas, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable color mixing correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables precise correction of color mixing, improving image accuracy and reducing false colors by accounting for varying imaging conditions such as light angle and color temperature, thereby enhancing image quality and resolution.

Implementation Method 1

each of the normal pixels having a photoelectric conversion device for photoelectrically converting an incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a light shielding film configured to shield an incident light incident upon the detection pixel from outside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9029751B2Image sensor, imaging apparatus, and imaging method

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided an image sensor including a normal pixel group composed of a plurality of normal pixels, each of the normal pixels having a photoelectric conversion device for photoelectrically converting an incident light, and a detection pixel configured to detect a light incident from a neighboring pixel by the photoelectric conversion device within an effective pixel area of the normal pixel group.