Imaging Element Low-Pass Filter Diffracting Structures Wavelength Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging apparatuses face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and resolution while maintaining normal color reproduction, particularly when using color filters or polarizers, which often result in reduced light reception and aliasing noise due to differences in light amounts received by pixels with and without filters.
Innovation Solution
An imaging element with a low-pass filter device that focuses predetermined light on specific pixels, utilizing diffracting structures on the low-pass filter to selectively transmit and diffract light based on wavelength or polarization, allowing for increased pixels without filters and improved light distribution across the imaging surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If color filters are provided on each pixel to obtain color images, then color information can be obtained, but the light amount received by each pixel is reduced to one-third
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is divided into two types of pixels: color pixels with color filters for capturing color information and brightness pixels without filters for capturing brightness information. This segmentation allows each pixel type to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between obtaining color information and maintaining sufficient light reception.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the imaging element have different properties: color pixels have color filters for color capture, while brightness pixels have no filters for maximum light reception. This local differentiation allows the system to obtain both color information and sufficient brightness information without compromising overall light reception.
2Reliability
If pixels without filter are added to increase brightness information, then sensitivity is improved, but aliasing noise occurs due to sampling period differences
Solution Approach 1:
A low-pass filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens and the imaging element. This low-pass filter suppresses high-frequency components in the optical image before they reach the sensor, preventing aliasing noise from occurring in the first place. This allows brightness pixels to be used without generating aliasing artifacts.
3Loss of information
If a large difference exists between receiving light amount of pixels with and without filters, then brightness information is improved, but normal color reproduction cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the outputs of color pixels and brightness pixels through image processing. The brightness information from brightness pixels is combined with the color information from color pixels, and the luminance and chrominance components are integrated to produce a final image with both high brightness fidelity and accurate color reproduction.
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 high-resolution and sensitive imaging while maintaining normal color reproduction by uniformly distributing light across pixels, reducing aliasing noise and enhancing image quality compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a low-pass filter device (14) configured to focus predetermined light on a predetermined pixel of the pixels of the light-receiving surface
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging element includes a light receiving surface having pixels, and a low-pass filter device configured to focus predetermined light on a predetermined pixel of the pixels of the light-receiving surface.