RGBW Sensor Pre-processor for Legacy ISP Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional image signal processors are not compatible with RGBW sensors, requiring modification or replacement, which increases hardware costs and slows down product upgrades.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method that includes an RGBW sensor, a pre-processor, and an image signal processing module, where the pre-processor converts the raw RGBW image into a raw RGB image, allowing the image signal processing module to process the raw RGB image and obtain a target image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional image signal processors are used to process raw RGBW images, then processing capability is maintained, but compatibility is poor and hardware modification or replacement is required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidhardware modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A pre-processor module is introduced as an intermediary between the RGBW sensor and the traditional image signal processor. The pre-processor converts the raw RGBW image into a raw RGB image format that the traditional processor can handle, enabling compatibility without modifying the existing image signal processor hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The image processing system is divided into two separate functional modules: a pre-processor responsible for RGBW to RGB conversion, and the traditional image signal processor responsible for further image processing. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in its function while maintaining overall system compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If image signal processors are modified or replaced to support RGBW sensors, then compatibility improves, but hardware costs increase and product upgrades slow down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor compatibilityVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-processor is designed as a universal solution that can work with traditional image signal processors, allowing the same pre-processor module to support multiple sensor types (RGB and RGBW) without requiring custom modifications to the main image signal processing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the original image signal processor to handle RGBW data, the system creates a copy of the standard RGB processing pipeline through the pre-processor, which transforms RGBW data into the standard RGB format that existing processors are designed to handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pre-processor converts raw RGBW image to raw RGB image, then compatibility with traditional processors is achieved, but processing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-processor performs the RGBW to RGB conversion in advance, before the image enters the main signal processing pipeline. This preliminary action ensures that all subsequent processing steps can proceed using standard RGB processing algorithms without requiring additional RGBW-specific processing stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12299935B2Image processing method, and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 FUZHOU ROCKCHIP SEMICON

AI summary

An image processing method, and electronic device are provided. The image processing method includes: obtaining a raw RGBW image by an RGBW sensor; processing the raw RGBW image by a pre-processor to obtain a raw RGB image; processing the raw RGB image by an image signal processor to obtain a target image. By adopting the image processing method of the present disclosure, conventional image processing modules are compatible with RGBW sensors without modification, and thus do not need to be replaced in practical applications, which saves hardware costs and facilitates product upgrades.