Multi-Cell Camera Module With Binning and Re-Mosaicing for Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices with unifocal cameras experience image quality degradation during zoom adjustments, and using multiple unifocal cameras increases cost and complexity without providing full zoom functionality.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a multi-cell structure and a portable communication device that utilizes a multi-cell image sensor with a control circuit to bin and re-mosaic image data, maintaining image resolution during zoom adjustments by selectively using image pixels based on ambient conditions and zoom settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a digital zoom function is provided using a single unifocal camera, then the device structure remains simple, but the image quality deteriorates after zoom adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple cells (first cell and second cell) with different focal distances, allowing selective use of pixels from different cells based on zoom requirements. This segmentation enables the system to maintain image quality during zoom operations without requiring multiple separate cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using all pixels from the entire image sensor, the system selectively uses only the necessary pixels from specific cells (first cell or second cell) based on the zoom level. This partial action approach maintains image quality by using relevant pixels while avoiding the degradation that would result from using all pixels indiscriminately.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unifocal cameras are used to provide zoom function, then the zoom function is improved, but the device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple unifocal cameras are merged into a single camera module with a multi-cell image sensor. The first cell and second cell, each with different focal distances, are integrated into one sensor array, allowing the system to achieve zoom functionality through software selection of pixels from different cells rather than requiring multiple physical cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera module with multi-cell structure serves multiple functions by providing different focal distances through its cells. The image sensor can operate in various zoom levels by selectively activating different cells, making the system universally capable of zoom functionality without requiring separate dedicated cameras for each focal length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unifocal cameras are used to provide zoom function, then the zoom capability is improved, but only the center region of the image sensor can be used
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is segmented into multiple cells (first cell and second cell) with different focal distances, allowing selective use of pixels from different cells based on zoom requirements. This segmentation enables the system to maintain image quality during zoom operations without requiring multiple separate cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using all pixels from the entire image sensor, the system selectively uses only the necessary pixels from specific cells (first cell or second cell) based on the zoom level. This partial action approach maintains image quality by using relevant pixels while avoiding the degradation that would result from using all pixels indiscriminately.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A portable communication device configured to activate an image capturing function of a camera module When the image capturing function is activated, use an image sensor to obtain first raw image data including a specified channel pattern, generated by binning image data obtained from the specified number of image pixels corresponding to the same channel. Display a first image generated based on the first raw image data on a display. While the image capturing function is activated, receive an input associated with adjustment of a zoom setting. Use the image sensor to obtain second raw image data having the specified channel pattern, generated by re-mosaicing image data obtained from some of the plurality of image pixels corresponding to a portion of the image sensor based on the input. Display a second image generated based on the second raw image data on the display.