Imaging Device Visible Infrared Sensor Dynamic Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices struggle to maintain image quality and dynamic range under low illuminance conditions, as existing solutions either suffer from overexposure and underexposure due to narrow dynamic range or fail to incorporate infrared-sensitive imaging elements.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with both visible and infrared-sensitive elements, where the second infrared-sensitive element operates at a higher frame rate and different exposure conditions to generate a combined image signal with increased dynamic range, minimizing image quality degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single imaging element is used for visible light, then the device structure is simple, but the dynamic range is narrow causing overexposure and underexposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging elements with different spectral sensitivities (visible light and infrared light) into a single imaging device. This merging allows the device to capture a wider dynamic range by capturing both reflected visible light and emitted infrared radiation, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple structure and narrow dynamic range.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating imaging elements that can detect both visible light and infrared radiation. This universal design enables the device to handle various lighting conditions and subject types (e.g., transparent objects, low-illuminance scenes) that a single imaging element cannot handle, thus expanding dynamic range without significantly increasing complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple images with different accumulation times are combined to increase dynamic range, then the dynamic range increases, but the frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging task by using different imaging elements for different purposes: one element captures visible light information while another captures infrared light information with different accumulation times. This segmentation allows each element to optimize its accumulation time independently, enabling dynamic range enhancement without uniformly reducing the frame rate for the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by incorporating infrared-sensitive imaging elements that operate independently from visible light imaging elements. This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture multiple wavelengths of light simultaneously at different frame rates, thereby increasing dynamic range while maintaining the ability to process images at high frame rates for critical applications.
3Reliability
If infrared-sensitive imaging elements are added to capture low-illuminance images, then image quality in low light improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges visible light and infrared light imaging elements into a unified imaging device with a single optical system. This combining approach allows the device to capture both spectral ranges simultaneously, improving low-illuminance image quality by capturing emitted infrared radiation while maintaining visible light information, without requiring separate independent imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the imaging elements' spectral sensitivity characteristics. By selecting imaging elements with specific spectral response parameters (one sensitive to visible light, another to infrared light), the system optimizes its performance across different lighting conditions. This parameter-based approach enables low-illuminance imaging capability while controlling device complexity through careful selection of imaging element 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
The solution effectively increases the dynamic range of images while maintaining image quality under low illuminance without reducing the frame rate or accumulation time, ensuring clear and detailed images even in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first imaging element having sensitivity to visible light and configured to output a first image signal
Implementation Method 2
a second imaging element having sensitivity to infrared light and configured to output a second image signal
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device capable of increasing a dynamic range of an image while minimizing a decrease in image quality when capturing is performed under low illuminance. An imaging device includes: a first imaging element (103) having sensitivity to visible light and configured to output a first image signal (107); a second imaging element (104) having sensitivity to infrared light and configured to output a second image signal (108A) and a third image signal (108B) acquired under an exposure condition different from that of the second image signal (108A) at a second frame rate higher than a first frame rate of the first imaging element (103); and a combination processor configured to generate a combination including the first image signal (107) output from the first imaging element (103) and the second image signal (108A) and the third image signal (108B) output from the second imaging element (104) and generate a fourth image signal (109).