Image Sensor Polarizing Filter Pixels for Reflection Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging apparatuses face challenges in capturing clear object images when reflection light from transparent plates, such as glass windows or windshields, introduces noise, degrading image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup element with a polarizing filter on the image sensor that includes at least two kinds of pixels with different transmission and polarization properties, allowing for the acquisition of both polarized and regular luminance images, which are then processed to reduce noise from reflection light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polarizing filter is used to reduce reflection light noise, then image quality is improved, but the ability to capture regular luminance images is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel types, with some pixels equipped with polarizing filters and others without. This segmentation allows different pixel groups to capture different types of light information simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between capturing polarized light images (for reducing reflection noise) and regular luminance images (for general imaging).
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: capturing both polarized light images and regular luminance images using the same sensor structure. By incorporating both polarizing-filter-equipped pixels and non-polarizing pixels within the same sensor, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate imaging devices.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polarized light imaging is used to eliminate reflection noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polarizing filter function directly into the image sensor structure by equipping specific pixels with polarizing filters during manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for separate external polarizing filter assemblies and complex mechanical switching mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still achieving effective reflection noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor itself provides the polarizing function through its integrated pixel structure, eliminating the need for additional external polarizing devices. The sensor performs both regular imaging and polarized light imaging functions through its own built-in pixel differentiation, achieving self-service capability.
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
The solution enables the simultaneous capture of polarized and regular luminance images, effectively reducing noise from reflection light and improving image quality, particularly in scenarios where transparent plates are involved.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizing filter that includes at least two kinds of pixels having different transmission and polarization properties from each other
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor, images an image of an object to be imaged onto a light-receiving surface of the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
To achieve an image pickup element that can utilize polarized light as well as non-polarized light to image or capture an object, an image pickup element is provided to an imaging apparatus that forms an image of an object to be imaged onto a light-receiving surface of an image sensor, acquires a polarized filter image together with a regular luminance image, and executes image processing on the acquired images. The image pickup element includes, on a light-receiving surface LRS of the image sensor IMS, a polarizing filter PFL including at least two kinds of pixels having different transmission and polarization properties from each other.