Image Sensor 3x3 White Pixel Matrix for Low-Light Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CMOS image sensors using Bayer patterns with a high density of green pixels suffer from reduced light absorption, leading to deteriorated color information and image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image sensor with a 3×3 matrix arrangement of red, blue, and white pixels, which allows for improved light absorption and image processing through demosaicing, replacing the traditional green pixel with a white pixel to enhance sensitivity and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a Bayer pattern with high density of green pixels is used, then color information for green can be directly captured, but light absorption is reduced and image quality deteriorates in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the color filter parameters by replacing green pixels with white pixels in specific positions of the Bayer pattern. This parameter change allows white pixels to absorb all wavelengths of visible light equally, thereby improving light absorption capability while maintaining color information retrieval through computational demosaicing algorithms that calculate green values from red, blue, and white pixel data.
2Illumination intensity
If green pixels are replaced with white pixels, then light absorption and sensitivity are improved, but direct green color capture is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces computational demosaicing algorithms as an intermediary process to retrieve green color information. Instead of directly capturing green light with green pixels, the system uses white pixels to capture all wavelengths and then applies computational algorithms to calculate and reconstruct green color values from the combined information of red, blue, and white pixel data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pixel arrangement parameters by replacing green pixels with white pixels in the Bayer pattern, and simultaneously changes the data processing parameters by implementing demosaicing algorithms that compute green values from red, blue, and white pixel measurements, thereby maintaining green color information capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a traditional Bayer pattern is used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but image quality and sensitivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the Bayer pattern parameters by replacing green pixels with white pixels in specific positions, creating an improved pixel arrangement that maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly enhancing image quality and sensitivity through better light absorption characteristics.
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 color information retrieval and image quality by maintaining equivalent light absorption rates for red and blue pixels while calculating green pixel values from red, blue, and white pixel data, thereby improving sensitivity and image fidelity in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An image sensor is a device that captures light from an optical image or one or more objects using photosensitive semiconductor elements and converts the captured color light into electrical signals.
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor, an image signal processor, and an image processing system including the same are disclosed. The image sensor includes an active pixel sensor (APS) block provided with a (3×3) matrix in which three red color pixels, three blue color pixels, and three white color pixels are contained, and a data generation block configured to generate pixel data of each of the red color pixels, pixel data of each of the blue color pixels, and pixel data of each of the white color pixels.