Multispectral Optical Filter Layout for Accurate White Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture devices struggle with inaccurate white balance estimation due to ambient light estimation techniques that do not accurately represent the scene's illumination, leading to incorrect color correction in captured images.
Innovation Solution
An optical system combining a multispectral sensor, optical filter, and image sensor, where the optical filter includes multiple channels to pass or block specific spectral ranges, allowing for accurate white balance information generation, which is used to improve color correction in image data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ambient light estimation techniques are used for white balance, then the image capture device can process images, but the white balance estimation is inaccurate and color correction is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter is divided into multiple optical channels (first, second, third, and fourth channels), each capturing light from different spectral ranges. This segmentation allows the system to separately measure illumination information across different wavelengths, enabling accurate white balance estimation by comparing the spectral characteristics captured by each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multispectral sensor as an intermediary component between the scene and the image sensor. This multispectral sensor captures spectral data that serves as a mediator to determine accurate scene illumination characteristics, which then informs the white balance processing of the main image sensor without interfering with the primary imaging function.
2Measurement precision
If a multispectral sensor with multiple optical channels is added, then spectral data for accurate white balance can be obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the multispectral sensing functionality with the existing image capture device by integrating the optical filter and multispectral sensor into the same optical path. The optical filter with multiple channels is positioned to work in conjunction with the image sensor, combining spectral measurement and imaging functions into a unified system rather than separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both a spectral separation element for the multispectral sensor and a filtering element for the image sensor. The same optical filter architecture enables both accurate spectral measurement for white balance and maintains the primary imaging capability, making the system multi-functional without requiring entirely separate optical paths.
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
The system provides more accurate white balance estimation and color correction in images by using spectral data from a multispectral sensor to determine scene illumination, resulting in improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an optical filter including a plurality of optical channels that is disposed over the multispectral sensor... the optical filter is configured to pass one or more portions of the first light to the multispectral sensor
Implementation Method 2
a lens that is disposed over the optical filter... the lens is configured to direct first light that originates from a scene to the optical filter
Implementation Method 3
the multispectral sensor is configured to generate, based on the one or more portions of the first light, spectral data associated with the scene
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system includes a multispectral sensor; an optical filter including a plurality of optical channels that is disposed over the multispectral sensor; and a lens that is disposed over the optical filter. The lens is configured to direct first light that originates from a scene to the optical filter. The optical filter is configured to pass one or more portions of the first light to the multispectral sensor. The multispectral sensor is configured to generate, based on the one or more portions of the first light, spectral data associated with the scene.