Pixel Unit With RGB Optical Splitting to Eliminate False Color

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photoelectric sensors in cameras produce false color effects due to each pixel acquiring only one of R, G, or B signals, mimicking human cone cells' distribution, leading to color fringing and other artificial traces.

Innovation Solution

A pixel unit design where light is split into three beams by an optical splitter to simultaneously enter red, green, and blue photodiodes, allowing simultaneous acquisition of R, G, and B signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If each pixel acquires only one of R, G, or B signals using a color filter array, then the photoelectric sensor structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but false color effects such as color fringing occur in the generated image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotoelectric sensor structure simplicityVSAvoidimage color accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical path into three separate beams using beam splitting elements, with each beam directed to a dedicated photodiode for a specific color channel (R, G, or B). This segmentation allows each pixel to simultaneously capture all three color signals without using a color filter array, thereby eliminating false color effects while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces beam splitting elements as intermediary components between the lens and photodiodes. These intermediaries split the incoming light into three separate beams and direct them to appropriate photodiodes, enabling simultaneous acquisition of R, G, and B signals at each pixel location without requiring complex color filter arrays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a color filter array is used to simulate human cone cells, then the device complexity is reduced, but color fringing and false color effects are produced in the image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotoelectric sensor structureVSAvoidfalse color effects and color fringing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical path is segmented into three separate beam paths using beam splitting elements, with each path leading to a dedicated photodiode for a specific color channel. This segmentation enables simultaneous capture of R, G, and B signals at each pixel, eliminating the need for color filter arrays and the associated false color effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar color filter array approach to a three-dimensional optical path splitting architecture. By utilizing spatial separation of light beams in multiple dimensions and directing them to vertically stacked or laterally arranged photodiodes, the system achieves simultaneous multi-color detection without the artifacts of traditional CFA methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design effectively eliminates false color effects by enabling simultaneous acquisition of RGB signals, improving image quality and reducing distortion.

Implementation Method 1

an optical splitter, the optical splitter being installed on the base, at least part of the optical splitter being located in the installation space, the optical splitter having a light-in surface, a first light-out surface, a second light-out surface and a third light-out surface, and the optical splitter being configured to disperse light entering the light-in surface and then emit the light from the first light-out surface, the second light-out surface and the third light-out surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical splitting: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a photodiode, the photodiode being installed in the installation space, and the photodiode including a red photodiode, a green photodiode, and a blue photodiode that are spaced from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4161052B1Pixel unit, photoelectric sensor, camera module, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4161052B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4161052B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4161052B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pixel unit, a photoelectric sensor, a camera module, and an electronic device. The pixel unit includes a base, the base being provided with an installation space; a photodiode, the photodiode being installed in the installation space, and the photodiode including a red photodiode, a green photodiode, and a blue photodiode that are spaced from each other; and an optical splitter, the optical splitter being installed on the base, at least part of the optical splitter being located in the installation space, the optical splitter having a light-in surface, a first light-out surface, a second light-out surface and a third light-out surface, and the optical splitter being configured to disperse light entering the light-in surface and then emit the light from the first light-out surface, the second light-out surface and the third light-out surface, where the first light-out surface faces the red photodiode, the second light-out surface faces the green photodiode, and the third light-out surface faces the blue photodiode.