Imaging Device Pixel Segmentation for Color Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in maintaining high color reproducibility and sensitivity due to the necessity of infrared cut filters, which reduce light incidence and lead to image quality deterioration, and previous solutions either result in black-white images or inefficient use of pixels.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device configuration with a pixel for the entire wavelength band and specific color pixels, along with a filter that allows the entire wavelength band to pass and reflects specific colors, calculates signal values by subtracting pixel-specific signals from the entire wavelength band signal, generating color-difference and brightness signals without infrared component inclusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an infrared cut filter is arranged on the front of the imaging element to improve color reproducibility, then color reproducibility is improved, but the amount of light incident on the pixel decreases and sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is segmented into two types of pixels: color pixels with color filters (R, G, B) and white pixels without color filters. This segmentation allows different pixels to serve different functions - color pixels for color information and white pixels for high-sensitivity luminance information, thereby resolving the contradiction between color reproducibility and light sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the imaging element have different optical properties. Color pixels have color filters for accurate color reproduction, while white pixels have no color filters for maximum light sensitivity. This local differentiation allows each pixel type to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
2Illumination intensity
If the infrared cut filter is removed to increase light incidence and sensitivity, then sensitivity is improved, but the infrared component is included in incident light and color reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is segmented into two types of pixels: color pixels with color filters (R, G, B) and white pixels without color filters. This segmentation allows different pixels to serve different functions - color pixels for color information and white pixels for high-sensitivity luminance information, thereby resolving the contradiction between color reproducibility and light sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
White pixels act as intermediaries that capture all wavelengths including infrared without color filters, providing high-sensitivity luminance information. The signal processing unit then combines this luminance information with color information from color pixels, achieving both high sensitivity and color reproducibility without needing an infrared cut filter.
3Reliability
If signal processing is used to remove noise from minimized pixels, then noise is reduced, but noise and signal cannot be completely separated and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
White pixels create a high-quality luminance signal copy that is free from color filter limitations. This luminance copy is then combined with color information in signal processing, providing a clean signal basis that improves overall image quality without requiring aggressive noise filtering that would degrade image quality.
4Measurement precision
If the pixel size is minimized to increase the number of pixels, then resolution is improved, but the saturation charge amount of each pixel becomes smaller and S/N ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is segmented into two types of pixels: color pixels with color filters (R, G, B) and white pixels without color filters. This segmentation allows different pixels to serve different functions - color pixels for color information and white pixels for high-sensitivity luminance information, thereby resolving the contradiction between color reproducibility and light sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the imaging element have different optical properties. Color pixels have color filters for accurate color reproduction, while white pixels have no color filters for maximum light sensitivity. This local differentiation allows each pixel type to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
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 eliminates the need for infrared cut filters, increasing light incidence and sensitivity while maintaining high color reproducibility by ensuring the infrared component is not included in color signals, preventing coloration and improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a filter which reflects wavelength bands of corresponding specific colors
Implementation Method 2
an imaging element obtained by repeatedly arranging a pixel for entire wavelength band and three types of pixels for specific color
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device (100) includes: an imaging element (103) obtained by repeatedly arranging a pixel W for entire wavelength band, a W-R pixel for R, a W-G pixel for G, and a W-B pixel for B; a filter (102) configured such that a portion corresponding to the pixel W allows the entire wavelength band of a wavelength band within a certain range to pass and portions corresponding to the W-R pixel, the W-G pixel, and the W-B pixel reflect wavelength bands of corresponding colors, respectively; a reflection amount calculating unit (113) for calculating signal values of R, G, and B by subtracting a value of an image reading signal of each of the W-R pixel, the W-G pixel, and the W-B pixel from a value of an image reading signal of the pixel W.