Filter arrangement for image sensor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016269654-A1
Application number	US-201514642348-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 9, 2015
Priority date	Mar 9, 2015
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for capturing two different types of light simultaneously is described. A filter array is used for filtering light arriving at an image sensor. The filter array comprises per pixel filters arranged in rows, so if a row comprises filters, they are all of the same type. Different exposure settings may be used for rows having different filter configurations.

First claim

1 . An apparatus comprising:
an image sensor comprising an array of pixels, wherein said array comprises a plurality of rows of pixels, the plurality of rows of pixels comprising one or more odd rows of pixels and one or more even rows of pixels; a filter array comprising per pixel filters configured to filter light arriving at said array of pixels, wherein said filter array comprises a plurality of a per pixel filter being a first type of pixel filter, the plurality of the per pixel filter being the only per pixel filters arranged at the one or more odd rows of pixels; and a global filter configured to filter light arriving at said filter array.

2 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the per pixel filter in said filter array and said global filter form a band pass filter.

3 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the per pixel filter is one of an infrared filter and an ultraviolet filter.

4 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said filter array further comprises a plurality of a second pixel filter being a second type of pixel filter, the plurality of the second pixel filter being the only per pixel filters arranged at the one or more even rows of pixels.

5 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the first per pixel filter is arranged according to a predetermined pattern.

6 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a lens configured to distribute received light to said image sensor.

7 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said filter array is located on said image sensor and said global filter is located on said filter array.

8 . An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said filter array is located on said image sensor, said lens is located on said filter array, and said global filter is located on said lens.

9 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a first exposure setting is used for exposing pixels on the one or more odd rows of pixels and a second exposure setting is used for exposing pixels on the one or more even rows of pixels.

10 . An apparatus comprising:
an image sensor comprising an array of pixels, wherein said array comprises a plurality of rows of pixels, the plurality of rows of pixels comprising one or more odd rows of pixels and one or more even rows of pixels; and a filter array corresponding to said array of pixels, the filter array comprising per pixel filters configured to filter light arriving at said array of pixels, wherein said filter array comprises;
a plurality of a first per pixel filter being a first type of pixel filter, the plurality of the first per pixel filter being the only per pixel filters arranged at the one or more odd rows of pixels; and
a plurality of a second per pixel filter being a second type of pixel filter, the plurality of the second per pixel filter being the only per pixel filters arranged at the one or more even rows of pixels.

11 . An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a global filter configured to filter light arriving at said filter array.

12 . An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of the first per pixel filter in said filter array and said global filter form a band pass filter.

13 . An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the first per pixel filter is an infrared filter and the second per pixel filter is an ultraviolet filter.

14 . An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of the first per pixel filter and the plurality of the second per pixel filter are arranged according to a predetermined pattern.

15 . An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a lens configured to distribute received light to said image sensor.

16 . An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said filter array is located on said image sensor and said global filter is located on said filter array.

17 . An apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein said filter array is located on said image sensor, said lens is located on said filter array, and said global filter is located on said lens.

18 . An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein a first exposure setting is used for exposing pixels on the odd rows of pixels and a second exposure setting is used for exposing pixels on the even rows of pixels.

19 . A camera comprising:
an image sensor comprising an array of pixels, wherein said array comprises a plurality of rows of pixels, the plurality of rows of pixels comprising one or more odd rows of pixels and one or more even rows of pixels; a filter array corresponding to said array of pixels, the filter array comprising per pixel filters configured to filter light arriving at said array of pixels, wherein said filter array comprises;
a plurality of a first per pixel filter being a first type of pixel filter, the plurality of the first per pixel filter being the only per pixel filters arranged at the one or more odd rows of pixels; and
a plurality of the second per pixel filter being a second type of pixel filter, the plurality of the second per pixel filter being the only per pixel filters arranged at the one or more even rows of pixels; and
a lens for receiving light arriving at said filter array.

20 . A camera according to claim 19 , wherein the camera further comprises a global filter configured to filter light arriving at said filter array.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Pettersson Gustaf
• Windmark Johan
• Månsson Jens
• Bilcu Radu
• Linke Jörg
• Syvaenen Pasi

Classifications

• G02B5/208 Primary

  for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation · CPC title

• H04N25/135

  based on four or more different wavelength filter elements · CPC title

• H04N25/131

  including elements passing infrared wavelengths · CPC title

• H04N23/73

  by influencing the exposure time · CPC title

• H04N23/75

  by influencing optical camera components · CPC title