Merged Pixel Imaging for Low-Light Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging devices produce noisy and unclear images in low-luminance environments due to the lack of clarity in images produced by image sensors.
Innovation Solution
The imaging method involves a photosensitive pixel array with a filter cell array where each filter cell covers multiple photosensitive pixels to form merged pixels, and the outputs of these merged pixels are combined to reduce noise, resulting in higher signal-to-noise ratio, brightness, and definition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional image sensors capture images in low-luminance environments, then images can be produced, but the images have noise and lack clarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple photosensitive pixels (2x2 pixels) under a single filter cell to form a merged pixel. This combining approach increases the effective light-collecting area for each pixel, allowing more photons to be captured in low-luminance conditions. By summing the outputs of multiple pixels, the signal strength increases while noise is reduced, thereby improving image clarity and brightness in low-light environments
2Measurement precision
If multiple photosensitive pixels are merged into one merged pixel, then noise is reduced and signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the number of pixels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining 2x2 photosensitive pixels under each filter cell to form merged pixels. This reduces the total pixel count by a factor of 4 but significantly improves signal-to-noise ratio because the merged pixel collects light from a larger area, increasing the signal strength while noise increases more slowly (proportional to the square root of the number of pixels combined). The trade-off favors noise reduction for low-luminance imaging
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 approach enables the capture of images with higher signal-to-noise ratio, brightness, and definition in low-light conditions by reducing noise and improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
providing an image sensor, the image sensor comprising a photosensitive pixel array
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an imaging method. The imaging method comprises: providing an image sensor, the image sensor comprising a photosensitive pixel array and a filter arranged on the photosensitive unit array, the filter comprising a filter cell array, and each filter cell covering a plurality of photosensitive pixels to form a merged pixel; and reading outputs of the photosensitive pixel array, and adding the outputs of the photosensitive pixels of the same merged pixel to obtain a pixel value of the merged pixel, thereby producing a merged image. Images, having higher signal to noise ratio, brightness, and definition, and less noise, can be captured by using the imaging method in low light. The present disclosure also discloses an imaging device using the imaging method and an electronic device using the imaging device.