Image Sensor Segmentation for Infrared-Enhanced Color Reproducibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capturing systems face deterioration in color reproducibility due to the arrangement of infrared filters with color filters, leading to a reduced number of color filters and subsequent image quality issues.

Innovation Solution

An image sensor configuration that divides imaging elements into groups, each associated with optical filters and transmissive members, allowing for the calculation of luminance based on both visible and infrared rays without blocking infrared rays, thereby enhancing color reproducibility and simplifying hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If infrared filters are arranged together with color filters in a grid pattern, then the influence of infrared rays is alleviated, but the number of color filters is reduced leading to deterioration in color reproducibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared ray correction capabilityVSAvoidcolor reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging elements are divided into two distinct groups: first imaging elements with color filters for color image capture, and second imaging elements with infrared transmissive members for infrared measurement. This segmentation allows each group to specialize in its function without compromising the other's performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An infrared transmissive member is introduced as an intermediary component that allows infrared rays to pass through to the second imaging elements while not interfering with the color filters in the first imaging elements. This mediator enables separate measurement paths for visible and infrared rays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If infrared-blocking filters are used to prevent infrared ray influence, then color reproducibility is improved, but hardware complexity increases and infrared sensitivity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor reproducibilityVSAvoidhardware configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared measurement function is extracted from the color imaging path by using separate second imaging elements with infrared transmissive members. This allows infrared measurement to be performed independently without requiring infrared-blocking filters in the color imaging path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The image sensor achieves multi-functionality by capturing both color images and infrared measurements simultaneously using different imaging elements. The system can produce color images with good reproducibility while also obtaining infrared data for additional information or correction purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of color filters is reduced to accommodate infrared filters, then infrared measurement capability is gained, but color image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared measurement capabilityVSAvoidcolor image quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging elements are segmented into two functional groups with different filter configurations, allowing the first group to maintain full color filter coverage for high-quality color imaging while the second group provides infrared measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 improved color reproducibility and high sensitivity image production without the need for infrared-blocking filters, maintaining image quality while reducing hardware complexity.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of optical filters transmit visible rays having a wavelength enabling visual recognition of one of a plurality of primary colors, and block visible rays having different wavelengths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of transmissive members transmit at least infrared rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared transmission: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

A visible ray or an infrared ray enters each of the plurality of imaging elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10630952B2Image sensor

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An image sensor includes a plurality of optical filters, a plurality of transmissive members, an imaging section, and a signal processing section. The optical filters transmit visible rays having a wavelength enabling visual recognition of a primary color, and the transmissive members transmit infrared rays. A plurality of imaging elements of the imaging section are constituted by a plurality of groups. Each of the imaging elements includes optical filters or transmissive members. The signal processing section determines the luminance of each pixel of a produced image, based on measurement values measured by the imaging elements of a group corresponding to the pixel. At least one imaging element of each group is provided with a transmissive member, and the remaining one or more imaging elements are provided with the optical filters having no color or a primary color allocated to the group.