Image Sensor Panchromatic Color Pixel Array Light Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic image sensors with color filters have reduced light sensitivity, limiting their ability to capture images in low-light conditions or requiring longer exposure times, and existing solutions either increase complexity, size, and cost or compromise on image quality by using multiple sensors or suboptimal pixel arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional image sensor with a pattern of eight pixels per minimal repeating unit, comprising five panchromatic pixels and three color pixels, which enhances light sensitivity and allows for full-color image capture in low-light conditions by intermixing panchromatic and color pixels to improve overall sensitivity and image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color filters are applied to pixels to enable color image capture, then color sensitivity is improved, but light sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into multiple types including color pixels with filters, panchromatic pixels without filters, and pixels with different spectral sensitivities. This segmentation allows different regions to specialize in different functions, with panchromatic pixels compensating for the light sensitivity loss in color-filtered pixels
Solution Approach 2:
Different pixels are assigned different local qualities through selective application of color filters and spectral sensitivity characteristics. Some pixels have full color filtering, others have partial filtering or no filtering, creating local variations in spectral response that collectively improve both color accuracy and light sensitivity
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple sensors are used to improve light sensitivity, then photographic speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor functions are merged into a single sensor array by integrating color pixels, panchromatic pixels, and pixels with different spectral sensitivities in one device. This eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors and beam splitters while achieving comparable or superior light sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor array performs multiple functions simultaneously: capturing color information, luminance information, and spectral information across different pixel types. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple specialized sensors
3Use of energy by moving object
If panchromatic pixels are used to improve light sensitivity, then photographic speed is improved, but color image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into color pixels for accurate color measurement and panchromatic pixels for high-sensitivity luminance capture. By separating these functions spatially, the system avoids the trade-off that would occur if all pixels had to compromise between color accuracy and light sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The pixel array uses an asymmetric distribution of pixel types with different spectral sensitivities rather than a uniform arrangement. This asymmetric design allows optimization for both color accuracy and light sensitivity in different regions, achieving overall improvement in both parameters
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
The solution provides high sensitivity and effective full-color image capture in low-light conditions, reducing noise and improving image quality while maintaining a single sensor design, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a two-dimensional array of pixels having a plurality of minimal repeating unit wherein each repeating unit is composed of eight pixels having five panchromatic pixels and three pixels having different color responses
Data Source
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AI summary
An image sensor is disclosed for capturing a color image, comprising a two-dimensional array of pixels having a plurality of minimal repeating unit wherein each repeating unit is composed of eight pixels having five panchromatic pixels and three pixels having different color responses.