Multispectral Optical Filter for White Balance Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture devices struggle with inaccurate white balance estimation due to insufficient illumination sensing, 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 accurately determine white balance information, allowing for precise color correction by processing spectral data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for both imaging and illumination sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of white balance information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into two distinct sensors: a first sensor dedicated to capturing image data and a second sensor dedicated to capturing illumination data. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function, with the second sensor having enhanced sensitivity to illumination characteristics, thereby resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision by separating the measurement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the first sensor and the second sensor. The optical filter includes multiple channels that can selectively pass different spectral ranges to different sensors, enabling a single optical component to support multiple sensing functions simultaneously, thus addressing the contradiction by providing universal optical path management.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical channels are added to the optical filter, then measurement precision of spectral data is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter is designed with local quality variations through its multiple channels, where each channel has specific spectral transmission characteristics optimized for particular wavelength ranges. This allows different regions of the optical filter to have different functional properties, enabling precise spectral measurement while maintaining a compact filter structure rather than requiring complex external spectral decomposition systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter utilizes the spectral dimension by incorporating multiple channels that respond to different wavelength ranges. This dimensional approach to light filtering allows the system to extract spectral information without adding mechanical or spatial complexity, transforming the problem from a spatial arrangement of components to a spectral domain solution.
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 accurate white balance estimation and color correction by utilizing the multispectral sensor's spectral data to enhance image processing, 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
Implementation Method 4
the image sensor is configured to generate image data based on second light that originates from 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.