Movable Color Filter Grouping for Low Profile Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for image capture units with lower profiles to reduce the overall size of electronic systems while maintaining optical image quality, as existing technologies compromise on resolution and sharpness to achieve a lower profile.
Innovation Solution
A low profile image capture unit is achieved by using a movable color filter grouping with multiple color filters over a single lens structure and image sensor partition, allowing for repositioning of color filters between exposures to capture images with the same resolution as traditional units but with a reduced lens and sensor size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional array of multiple lenses and sensors is used to achieve high resolution, then image quality is improved, but device profile and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple color filter arrays and sensor arrays into a single integrated sensor structure. The stacked configuration combines multiple sensing layers vertically, allowing high-resolution color imaging to be achieved within a compact footprint, thereby reducing device profile while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of multiple lenses and sensors to a three-dimensional stacked architecture. By stacking sensor layers and color filter arrays vertically, the system achieves high resolution in the lateral dimensions while minimizing the vertical profile, effectively using the third dimension to resolve the contradiction
2Measurement precision
If multiple lenses and sensors are used to capture high quality images, then image sharpness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements (lenses, color filters, sensors) into a single integrated stacked sensor module. This merging eliminates the need for separate lens arrays and multiple sensor boards, reducing mechanical complexity and assembly steps while maintaining image sharpness through the integrated optical path
Solution Approach 2:
The stacked sensor structure performs multiple functions within a single device: it captures color information, focuses light, and detects images all within the stacked layers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining imaging 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
This approach enables the creation of low profile image capture units with the same resolution as traditional units, improving lens performance, reducing volume and cost, and maintaining optical image quality by using a single lens structure instead of an array, while allowing for efficient image capture with a reduced footprint.
Implementation Method 1
A low profile image capture unit includes a movable color filter grouping having a plurality of colors disposed over a single lens structure on a single image sensor
Implementation Method 2
The imaging lens focuses light onto the image sensor to form an image, and the image sensor converts the light into electric signals
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture unit includes an image sensor and a lens structure disposed proximate to the image sensor to focus an image onto the image sensor. A movable color filter grouping is disposed over the lens structure. The movable color filter grouping includes a plurality of N color filters arranged therein such that all light that is incident upon the image sensor through the lens structure is directed through only one of the plurality of N color filters of the movable color filter grouping per each exposure of the image sensor. A positioning device is attached to the movable color filter grouping to reposition the movable color filter grouping such that substantially all of the light that is incident upon the image sensor through the lens structure is directed through a different one of the plurality of N color filters for each successive exposure of the image sensor.