Optical Filter Subarrays for Local Spectral White Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital imaging systems face challenges in accurately compensating for light source distortion, particularly when multiple light sources are present or when a scene is dominated by a single object, as they can only compensate for the average illumination, leading to inaccurate color representation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of spectral image sensors with interference-based filters, such as Fabry-Perot filters, which provide spatially separated light spectra across different areas of the image sensor, allowing for precise white-balance correction by determining the spectral response for each spatial area of the scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spectral image sensors with interference-based filters are integrated to provide spatially separated light spectra, then measurement precision of spectral response is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into multiple optical sensors, each associated with specific interference filters that segment the spectral range. Each sensor-filter pair captures a specific wavelength range, and the processor combines these segmented spectral measurements to reconstruct the full spectral response, improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from capturing only intensity information to capturing spectral information by adding the wavelength dimension. Interference filters enable the system to measure light properties across different wavelengths, transforming a 2D image sensor into a 3D spectral sensor that captures intensity, position, and wavelength information simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spectral image sensors with interference-based filters are integrated to provide spatially separated light spectra, then adaptability to different lighting conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing standard images, measuring spectral response for white balance correction, and adapting to various lighting conditions. The same optical sensors and interference filters used for spectral measurement also contribute to image capture, making the system universal and adaptable to different lighting scenarios without requiring entirely separate dedicated hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to different lighting conditions by measuring and analyzing changes in spectral parameters. The processor detects variations in the spectral response across different wavelength ranges and adjusts white balance settings accordingly, enabling the system to adapt to incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and natural lighting conditions through parameter-based adjustment rather than requiring hardware changes.
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 more accurate color representation by compensating for light source distortion at a local level, improving the accuracy of color imaging across various lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sets of interference filters, each set of interference filters including a plurality of interference filters arranged in a pattern, where each interference filter of the plurality of filters is configured to pass light in a different wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
Interference-based filters, such as Fabry-Perot filters, when used in conjunction with spectral sensors have been shown to be capable of providing information that can be used in a camera system to improve automated white balancing
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor system includes a plurality of sets of optical sensors implemented on a substrate, with a plurality of sets of optical filters, wherein a set of optical filters of the plurality of sets of optical filters is associated with a set of optical sensors and a set of optical filters of the plurality of sets of optical filters includes a plurality of optical filters that are arranged in a pattern, with each optical filter of the plurality of optical filters configured to pass light in a different wavelength range of a predefined spectral range. Each set of optical filters operates to provide a bandpass response corresponding to the predefined spectral range and a set of optical filters is located atop an associated set of optical sensors, where at least two sets of optical filters of the plurality of sets of optical filters are configured to provide different bandpass responses. An optical element is associated with a corresponding set of optical sensors, with each rejection filter configured to pass light wavelengths in a predefined spectral range.