Mobile Terminal Image Sensor Segmentation for Low Light Clarity

Solution Overview

Problem

Camera-equipped mobile terminals face difficulties in capturing clear images in both low and normal illuminance conditions due to the limitations of existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an image sensor with both color sensor elements and infrared sensor elements, along with an image processing unit that produces infrared-image information, allowing the mobile terminal to capture sharp images in low illuminance conditions and clear color images in normal illuminance conditions without an infrared cut-off filter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If an infrared cut-off filter is used in front of the image sensor, then clear color images can be captured in normal illuminance conditions, but sharp images cannot be captured in low illuminance conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarity in normal illuminanceVSAvoidimage sharpness in low illuminance

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is segmented into two functional parts: color sensor elements for capturing color information in normal lighting conditions and infrared sensor elements for capturing sharp images in low illuminance conditions. This segmentation allows each part to optimize for its specific function without interference from the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image sensor is designed with multi-functionality to perform both color imaging and infrared imaging tasks. The color sensor elements and infrared sensor elements work together to provide universal imaging capability across different lighting conditions, eliminating the need for separate imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If no infrared cut-off filter is used, then sharp images can be captured in low illuminance conditions, but clear color images cannot be captured in normal illuminance conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage sharpness in low illuminanceVSAvoidcolor image clarity in normal illuminance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is segmented into two functional parts: color sensor elements for capturing color information in normal lighting conditions and infrared sensor elements for capturing sharp images in low illuminance conditions. This segmentation allows each part to optimize for its specific function without interference from the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the image sensor are assigned different functional qualities: some regions (color sensor elements) are optimized for color detection in normal lighting, while other regions (infrared sensor elements) are optimized for infrared detection in low light conditions. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to excel at its designated function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If an infrared cut-off filter is installed, then color image quality is improved in normal lighting, but the ability to capture infrared information in low light is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor image qualityVSAvoidinfrared information capture capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is designed with multi-functionality to perform both color imaging and infrared imaging tasks. The color sensor elements and infrared sensor elements work together to provide universal imaging capability across different lighting conditions, eliminating the need for separate imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the image sensor by switching between color sensor elements and infrared sensor elements based on lighting conditions. In normal lighting, color sensor elements are activated for color image capture; in low illuminance conditions, infrared sensor elements are activated for infrared information capture, thus adapting to different environmental parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of information

If no infrared cut-off filter is installed, then infrared information can be captured, but color image quality deteriorates in normal lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared information captureVSAvoidcolor image quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is segmented into two functional parts: color sensor elements for capturing color information in normal lighting conditions and infrared sensor elements for capturing sharp images in low illuminance conditions. This segmentation allows each part to optimize for its specific function without interference from the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the image sensor are assigned different functional qualities: some regions (color sensor elements) are optimized for color detection in normal lighting, while other regions (infrared sensor elements) are optimized for infrared detection in low light conditions. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to excel at its designated function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the mobile terminal to easily capture sharp images in both low and normal illuminance conditions by utilizing infrared-image information in low light and color-image information in brighter conditions, enhancing image quality across varying lighting scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

an optical section receiving optical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signal transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

color sensor elements detecting sensing-image information from a transmitted optical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

infrared sensor elements detecting infrared-image information from the transmitted optical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 4

an image processing unit producing infrared-image information of the color sensor elements, using the detected infrared-image information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentUS8412228B2Mobile terminal and photographing method for the same

Publication Date: 2013.04.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A mobile terminal and photographing method for the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes an optical section receiving optical signals, an image sensor comprising color sensor elements detecting sensing-image information from a transmitted optical signal, and infrared sensor elements detecting infrared-image information from the transmitted optical signal and an image processing unit producing infrared-image information of the color sensor elements, using the detected infrared-image information.