Polarization Sensor Signal Processing Circuit Scale Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of a polarization sensor with two-dimensionally arranged pixels that receive light of different polarization angles leads to increased circuit scale and memory size in signal processing due to the application of signal processing methods designed for widely-used image sensors like RGB sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image organizing unit that extracts light reception values from pixels receiving light of the same polarization angle to organize polarization-angle-specific images, which are then processed by a signal processing unit, reducing the size requirements of the line buffer and image filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If signal processing for widely-used image sensors such as RGB sensors is applied to an image captured by the polarization sensor, then the signal processing can be performed using existing methods, but the circuit scale and the memory size will become larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polarization sensor data into multiple polarization-angle-specific images by extracting pixels with the same polarization angle. This segmentation allows standard RGB signal processing methods to be applied to each polarization channel independently, avoiding the need for a completely new processing architecture while managing circuit complexity through structured data organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new organizational dimension by arranging polarization-angle-specific images in a predetermined pattern (e.g., vertical stacking). This dimensional reorganization transforms the two-dimensional pixel array into a structured multi-channel format that is compatible with conventional image processing circuits, thereby reducing the required circuit scale while maintaining processing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If signal processing for widely-used image sensors such as RGB sensors is applied to an image captured by the polarization sensor, then the signal processing can be performed using existing methods, but the memory size will become larger
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the polarization sensor output into separate polarization-angle-specific images, the patent enables the use of efficient memory access patterns from conventional image processing. Each polarization channel can be processed independently with optimized memory usage, avoiding the need to store and process all polarization angles simultaneously in a single large buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of polarization-angle-specific images in a predetermined pattern during the image capture stage. This preliminary action structures the data before it reaches the signal processing unit, allowing for more efficient memory access and processing, thereby reducing the overall memory size requirement while maintaining compatibility with existing processing methods.
3Productivity
If RAW image data is subjected to signal processing without organizing polarization-angle-specific images, then the processing can be performed directly on the captured image, but the line buffer and the image filter become larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the preliminary organization of polarization-angle-specific images during the image capture and buffer stage. By pre-organizing the data in a predetermined pattern before signal processing begins, the system avoids the need for large line buffers during processing, as the data is already structured for efficient access and processing.
4Productivity
If RAW image data is subjected to signal processing without organizing polarization-angle-specific images, then the processing can be performed directly on the captured image, but the image filter become larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image data into polarization-angle-specific channels, allowing standard image filters to be applied to each channel independently. This segmentation enables the use of smaller, optimized filters for each polarization angle rather than requiring a single large filter that must handle all polarization angles simultaneously, thereby reducing the overall filter size while maintaining processing efficiency.
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 reduces the circuit scale and memory size required for signal processing, allowing for more efficient processing of images captured by polarization sensors while maintaining effective signal processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization sensor for obtaining a polarization image that is an image indicating polarization information for each pixel
Data Source
AI summary
For signal processing to be performed on a captured image by a polarization sensor, the circuit scale of the signal processing circuit, and the size of the memory to be used in the signal processing are made smaller. A signal processing device according to the present technology includes: an image organizing unit that receives an input of a captured image obtained by a polarization sensor, and extracts a light reception value of pixels that receive light of the same polarization angle from the captured image to organize polarization-angle-specific images that are images for respective polarization angles, the polarization sensor having polarization pixel units formed by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of types of pixels that selectively receive light of different polarization angles in a predetermined pattern, the polarization pixel units being two-dimensionally arranged in the polarization sensor; and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the polarization-angle-specific images obtained by the image organizing unit.