Image Sensor Exposure Balancing With High-Capacity Panchromatic Pixels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensors in mobile terminals face challenges in capturing high-quality images in dark environments due to premature saturation of panchromatic pixels, leading to imbalanced exposure and reduced signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating panchromatic pixels with a greater full-well capacity than color pixels, along with independent exposure control for both types of pixels, to prevent premature saturation and achieve balanced exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If panchromatic pixels are added to improve image quality in dark environments, then sensitivity and luminance are improved, but premature saturation occurs leading to imbalanced exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the full-well capacity parameter of panchromatic pixels to be greater than that of color pixels. This parameter adjustment allows panchromatic pixels to accommodate more photons before saturation, thereby maintaining exposure balance between different pixel types in dark environments while preserving improved image quality and luminance.
2Measurement precision
If panchromatic pixels with higher sensitivity are added, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but saturation occurs prematurely reducing exposure balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the full-well capacity parameter of panchromatic pixels to exceed that of color pixels. This change enables panchromatic pixels to maintain their high sensitivity and improved signal-to-noise ratio while preventing premature saturation, thus preserving exposure balance across different pixel types.
3Measurement precision
If white pixels with higher sensitivity than color pixels are added, then image quality in dark environments is improved, but saturation occurs prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the full-well capacity parameter of panchromatic (white) pixels to be greater than that of color pixels. This parameter change allows the high-sensitivity panchromatic pixels to capture more light signals in dark environments without saturating prematurely, thereby maintaining both improved image quality and reliable saturation control.
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 image quality by allowing panchromatic pixels to capture more exposure without saturating prematurely, resulting in improved luminance and signal-to-noise ratio in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The image sensor includes panchromatic pixels and color pixels. A spectral response of each of the color pixels is narrower than a spectral response of each of the panchromatic pixels, and a full-well capacity of each of the panchromatic pixels is greater than a full-well capacity of each of the color pixels.
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor (10), a camera assembly (40) and a mobile terminal (90) are disclosed. The image sensor (10) comprises panchromatic pixels and color pixels. The color pixels have the spectral response narrower than that of the panchromatic pixels, and the panchromatic pixels have the full-well capacity greater than that of the color pixels.