Multi-Spectral Optical Sensor for Sector-Specific Color Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-sensing devices struggle to accurately compensate for varying ambient illumination conditions across different parts of a scene, leading to inconsistent color representation, as conventional white balancing methods like Gray-World Theory and White Patch Theory often produce suboptimal results.
Innovation Solution
A multi-spectral optical sensor with a monolithic semiconductor chip featuring multiple subarrays of optical detector regions, each with aligned optical filters and lens elements, allowing for sector-specific spectral analysis and gradient white balancing to adjust image colors based on varying ambient light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional white balancing methods (Gray-World Theory or White Patch Theory) are used, then the device complexity is low, but the color accuracy and measurement precision deteriorate under varying ambient illumination conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is divided into multiple subarrays, each dedicated to detecting specific wavelength ranges (e.g., blue, green, red, and extended spectral regions). This segmentation enables precise spectral measurement for accurate color constancy while maintaining a structured, manufacturable design through systematic division of functional elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different subarrays are assigned different spectral sensitivity characteristics tailored to specific detection needs. Each subarray has optimized optical filters and detector characteristics for its designated wavelength range, enabling localized spectral optimization without requiring complete redesign of the entire sensor system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-spectral optical sensor with multiple subarrays is used, then the color accuracy and spectral measurement capability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is segmented into multiple subarrays with distinct spectral functions, allowing independent optimization and testing of each subarray before integration. This modular approach simplifies manufacturing by enabling parallel production of subarrays and reduces the complexity of aligning multiple spectral channels during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design incorporates a unified optical path and shared structural elements that serve multiple spectral detection functions. Common components such as the substrate, interconnect structures, and packaging architecture support all subarrays, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the multi-functional capability.
3Measurement precision
If subarrays are arranged to detect different wavelength ranges, then the spectral information accuracy is improved, but the alignment precision and manufacturing tolerance requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Each subarray is designed as a discrete, self-contained unit with defined spectral response characteristics. This segmentation allows for independent fabrication and characterization of each subarray, reducing the cumulative alignment errors that would arise from attempting to create a fully integrated multi-spectral detector in a single fabrication process.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical filters are positioned as intermediary elements between the optical path and the detector regions of each subarray. These filters act as mediators that define the spectral content reaching each subarray, providing tolerance to minor misalignments while maintaining spectral accuracy through the filtering function.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor uses multiple optical filters and lens elements for each subarray, then the spectral resolution is improved, but the loss of light and energy efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Optical filters are applied locally to specific subarrays only where spectral discrimination is required for that wavelength range. This localized filtering approach maintains high light transmission for each subarray's designated spectral band while enabling spectral resolution, avoiding the light loss that would result from placing filters across the entire optical path.
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 sensor enables accurate reproduction of scene colors by sector, effectively compensating for different ambient light sources across a scene, enhancing image quality by aligning with human perception under varying illumination.
Implementation Method 1
each optical filter is configured to only transmit a corresponding different range of wavelengths onto a corresponding one of the optical detector regions
Implementation Method 2
light which is incident on any one of the lens elements along a direction of incidence converges through the corresponding optical filter onto a corresponding one of the optical detector regions
Implementation Method 3
a monolithic semiconductor chip defining a plurality of subarrays of optical detector regions
Data Source
AI summary
A monolithic semiconductor chip defines a plurality of subarrays of optical detector regions, wherein each subarray of optical detector regions includes a corresponding plurality of optical detector regions and wherein each subarray of optical detector regions has the same relative spatial arrangement of optical detector regions as each of the other subarrays of optical detector regions. A multi-spectral optical sensor comprises the monolithic semiconductor chip, a plurality of optical filters, and a plurality of lens elements, wherein each optical filter is aligned between a corresponding lens element and a corresponding subarray of optical detector regions such that light which is incident on any one of the lens elements along a direction of incidence converges through the corresponding optical filter onto a corresponding one of the optical detector regions of the corresponding subarray of optical detector regions, which corresponding one of the optical detector regions depends on the direction of incidence. Such a multi-spectral optical sensor may be used to measure spectral information relating to different parts or sectors of a scene captured by an image sensor or a camera. A multi-spectral optical system and an image sensing system are also disclosed which comprise the multi-spectral optical sensor.