Peripheral 3A-Control Sensors for Image Sensor Artifact Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors in high-volume consumer products like mobile devices suffer from pixels not contributing valid pixel values, leading to image artifacts despite interpolation from neighboring pixels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a separate 3A-control sensor for auto-white balance and exposure control, and a PDAF sensor for auto-focus, which are communicatively connected to the control circuitry and positioned in a plane parallel to the primary pixel array, to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If selected pixels in the pixel array are dedicated to 3A-control functions, then auto exposure control, auto white balance, and auto focus capabilities are provided, but those pixels do not contribute valid pixel values for image data resulting in image artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into two separate components: a primary pixel array for capturing image data and a separate 3A-control sensor for providing auto exposure, auto white balance, and auto focus control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its dedicated function without compromise - the primary pixels all contribute to image data while the separate sensor provides control signals, eliminating the conflict where dedicated control pixels would create artifacts in the final image.
2Reliability
If a separate 3A-control sensor is used, then image quality is improved by providing accurate control signals, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the primary pixel array and the 3A-control sensor into a single integrated image sensor device with a unified substrate and shared control circuitry. This merging approach allows the separate functional components to work together as one cohesive unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the benefits of having dedicated control functionality. The integrated design enables efficient space utilization and simplified manufacturing compared to using completely separate components.
3Loss of information
If interpolation of pixel values from neighboring pixels is used to remedy missing values, then some image data can be recovered, but the resulting image still has artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the 3A-control function from the primary pixel array and places it in a separate dedicated sensor. This extraction ensures that all pixels in the primary array contribute valid image data without any pixels being sacrificed for control functions. The separate 3A-control sensor provides the necessary control signals without interfering with the integrity of the image data captured by the primary pixel array, thereby eliminating the need for problematic interpolation methods.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a primary imager and plurality of 3A-control sensors. The primary imager has a first field of view and includes a primary image sensor and a primary imaging lens with a first optical axis. The primary image sensor has a primary pixel array and control circuitry communicatively coupled thereto. The plurality of 3A-control sensors includes at least one of a peripheral imager and a 3A-control sensor. The peripheral imager, if included, has a second field of view including (i) at least part of the first field of view and (ii) a phase-difference auto-focus (PDAF) sensor and a peripheral imaging lens, the PDAF sensor being separate from the primary image sensor. The 3A-control sensor, if included, is separate from the primary pixel array and communicatively connected to the control circuitry to provide one of auto-white balance and exposure control for the primary pixel array.