Image Sensor Phase Detection Pixel Color Filter Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in manufacturing CMOS image sensors is the difficulty in producing smaller pixels while maintaining the complexity of color filters, which affects the image resolution and manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an image sensor with a pixel array and a color filter array, where the color filters are arranged in an M×N matrix, allowing for efficient phase detection and image processing without the need for color filters on phase detection pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the size of each pixel is reduced to increase image resolution, then image resolution is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty of color filters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts color filters from phase detection pixels, creating a dual-array structure where color filters are only present on image capture pixels. This eliminates the manufacturing complexity of placing color filters on all pixels while maintaining image resolution benefits of smaller pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pixel array into two distinct functional groups: image capture pixels with color filters and phase detection pixels without color filters. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
2Loss of information
If color filters are placed on all pixels including phase detection pixels, then color information is captured, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing color filters only where they are needed (image capture pixels) while leaving them off where they are not needed (phase detection pixels). This localized approach reduces overall device complexity while preserving color information capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal pixel structure where both color-filtered pixels and non-color-filtered pixels serve different but complementary functions within the same sensor array, allowing the system to perform both color image capture and phase detection without requiring separate devices.
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 reduces the manufacturing complexity of the image sensor, enhances image resolution by allowing smaller pixel sizes, and improves phase detection accuracy through efficient data processing.
Implementation Method 1
An image sensor is a semiconductor device that converts optical information into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of normal pixels, a plurality of phase detection groups, and a color filter array. Each phase detection group includes a first phase detection pixel and a second phase detection pixel disposed adjacent to the first phase detection pixel. The color filter array includes a plurality of unit groups. Each unit group includes a plurality of color filters of a same color arranged in an M×N matrix on the pixel array, wherein M and N are natural numbers. A first color filter among the color filters of a first color is disposed on the first phase detection pixel of one of the unit groups and a second color filter among the color filters of a second color different from the first color is disposed on the second phase detection pixel of another one of the unit groups.