Image Sensor Phase Detection Pixel Groups High Dynamic Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems with phase detection capabilities require complex arrangements, such as multiple image sensors and camera lenses, leading to reduced spatial resolution, increased cost, and complexity, while also suffering from artifacts due to low dynamic range, especially in scenes with both bright and dark portions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of image sensors with phase detection pixel groups, where pairs or triples of pixels with asymmetric angular responses and microlenses focus light differently based on incident angles, allowing for phase difference calculation to determine lens movement for focusing, and varying integration times and color filters to enhance dynamic range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image sensors and camera lenses are used for phase detection, then phase detection capability is improved, but spatial resolution is reduced and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phase detection pixels and imaging pixels within a single integrated sensor array, eliminating the need for separate sensors. The phase detection pixels are interspersed among imaging pixels, allowing both functions to coexist in one device without requiring multiple separate image sensors and camera lenses, thereby maintaining spatial resolution while enabling phase detection
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor array serves dual purposes: imaging pixels capture standard images while phase detection pixels simultaneously provide phase detection information for autofocus and 3D imaging. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform both high-resolution imaging and phase detection without requiring separate specialized components
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image sensors and camera lenses are used for phase detection, then phase detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates phase detection pixels directly into the imaging sensor array, combining what would traditionally require separate sensors and lens arrays into a single unified device. This integration eliminates the need for additional external components and simplifies the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The phase detection pixels utilize the same optical path and light gathering capabilities as the imaging pixels, allowing the sensor array to serve its own phase detection needs without requiring separate dedicated optical components. The system uses its existing imaging infrastructure to provide phase detection functionality
3Device complexity
If conventional image sensors are used for high dynamic range scenes, then imaging is simplified, but image quality deteriorates due to overexposure and underexposure artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into different pixel types with different integration times. Some pixels capture light for short durations while others capture for longer periods, allowing the system to represent both bright and dark regions of the scene without overexposure or underexposure artifacts, thereby improving image quality in high dynamic range scenes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the integration time parameter across different pixels within the same sensor array. By adjusting exposure duration as a variable parameter rather than using a fixed integration time for all pixels, the system can adapt to different light intensities and maintain image quality across a wide dynamic range
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 improved phase detection capabilities without the need for additional sensors or complex lens arrays, maintaining high spatial resolution and reducing artifacts, while allowing for effective automatic focusing and high dynamic range imaging.
Implementation Method 1
Each pixel receives incident photons (light) and converts the photons into electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
Each pixel receives incident photons (light) and converts the photons into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor may include a pixel array with high dynamic range functionality and phase detection pixels. The phase detection pixels may be arranged in phase detection pixel groups. Each phase detection pixel group may include three adjacent pixels arranged consecutively in a line. A single microlens may cover all three pixels in the phase detection pixel group, or two microlenses may combine to cover the three pixels in the phase detection pixel group. The edge pixels in each phase detection pixel group may have the same integration time and the same color. The middle pixel in each phase detection pixel group may have the same or different color as the edge pixels, and the same or different integration time as the edge pixels. Phase detection pixel groups may also be formed from two pixels that each are 1.5 times the size of neighboring pixels.