Image Sensor Focus Detection Pixel Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image signal calculation for focus detection pixels in image-capturing apparatuses often requires interpolation from distant imaging pixels, leading to poorer image quality, especially when blue edges are detected, as existing technologies rely on significant distances for pixel signal generation.
Innovation Solution
Focus detection pixels are alternately disposed with blue and green pixels in image sensor arrays, allowing for more accurate pixel signal interpolation using nearby imaging pixels, reducing interpolation errors and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If focus detection pixels are disposed in a standard Bayer array position, then the image sensor can maintain a regular pixel structure, but pixel signals for focus detection pixels must be interpolated from distant imaging pixels, resulting in significant interpolation errors and poorer image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized pixel arrangement where focus detection pixels are surrounded by a dedicated ring of auxiliary imaging pixels at adjacent positions. This local restructuring ensures that each focus detection pixel has nearby reference pixels for accurate interpolation, while the rest of the image sensor maintains the standard Bayer array structure. The auxiliary pixels are specifically positioned to provide color information from all three color channels (red, green, blue) at adjacent locations, enabling accurate signal generation without significant interpolation errors.
2Ease of operation
If pixel interpolation is performed using distant imaging pixels, then focus detection pixels can be positioned in standard array locations, but the interpolation error increases significantly, especially for blue edges and fine details
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging auxiliary imaging pixels in specific positions around each focus detection pixel before the actual focus detection process. These auxiliary pixels are positioned in advance to ensure they are adjacent to the focus detection pixels, creating a ready-made interpolation framework. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when focus detection is performed, the required pixel signals can be immediately obtained from nearby auxiliary pixels without needing to perform long-distance interpolation, thereby ensuring high signal accuracy for focus detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image sensor includes: a plurality of imaging pixel rows, which include a plurality of types of imaging pixels with varying spectral sensitivity characteristic that are arrayed two-dimensionally based upon a first spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern; and at least one non-imaging pixel row, which includes a plurality of non-imaging pixels that are disposed in place of some of the pluralityof types of imagingpixels in the plurality of imaging pixel rows. The plurality of imaging pixel rows include adj acent imaging pixel rows made up with the plurality of types of imaging pixels and set adjacent to the non-imaging pixel row; and the adjacent imaging pixel rows assume a second spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern different from the first spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern, so that spectral sensitivity characteristics different from spectral sensitivity characteristics achieved in conformance to the first spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern are achieved via specific imaging pixels making up part of the adjacent imaging pixel rows.