Color filter array and manufacturing method thereof

• US 9,787,952 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2015
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corporation (Novatek Microelectronics Corp Limited)
• Original Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corporation (Novatek Microelectronics Corp Limited)
• Inventors: Hsu, Wei, Tsai, Shen-Fu, Chen, I-Hsiu
• Primary Examiner(s): LAM, HUNG H
• Application Number:
  US14/738,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20160119559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 849 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/133 including elements passing panchromatic light, e.g. filters passing white light
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/134 based on three different wavelength filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/135 based on four or more different wavelength filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/585 with pixels having different sensitivities within the sensor, e.g. fast or slow pixels or pixels having different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/702 SSIS architectures characterised by non-identical, non-equidistant or non-planar pixel layout

Abstract

A color filter array for an image sensing device is disclosed. The color filter array includes a plurality of pixels and a control unit. The plurality of pixels is utilized for generating a plurality of pixel data of an image. The control unit is utilized for controlling the plurality of pixels. In addition, each of the plurality of pixels is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels corresponding to the same color. When outputting the plurality of pixel data, each of the plurality of pixels accumulates pixel value of at least one of the plurality of sub-pixels in each of the plurality of pixels as the pixel data outputted by each of the plurality of pixels.

Claims

1. A color filter array for an image sensing device, the color filter array comprising:

a plurality of pixels, for generating a plurality of pixel data of an image; and

a control unit, for controlling the plurality of pixels;

wherein each of the plurality of pixels is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels corresponding to the same color;

wherein each of the plurality of pixels accumulates pixel value of at least one of the plurality of sub-pixels in each of the plurality of pixels as the pixel data outputted by each of the plurality of pixels;

wherein the plurality of sub-pixels in a first pixel of the plurality of pixel is corresponding to a first pixel color, and at least one of the plurality of sub-pixels in the first pixel is altered to be corresponding to a second pixel color;

wherein the first color is different from the second pixel color.

2. The color filter array of claim 1, wherein the pixel data outputted by each of the plurality of pixels is smaller than a saturated threshold.

3. The color filter array of claim 1, wherein the second pixel color is white.

4. The color filter array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-pixels in each pixel is arranged as a strip.

5. The color filter array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-pixels in each pixel is arranged as a rectangle.

6. The color filter array of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of repeated pattern, wherein each of the plurality of repeated pattern comprises a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel and a fourth pixel of the plurality of pixels;

wherein the second pixel is adjacent to a first side of the first pixel, the third pixel is adjacent to a second side of the first pixel and the fourth side is adjacent to the second pixel and the third pixel;

wherein the first pixel, the second pixel, the third pixel and the fourth pixel are respectively corresponding to a first pixel color, a second pixel color, the second pixel color and a third pixel color.

7. The color filter array of claim 6, wherein the first pixel color, the second pixel color and the third pixel color are red, green and blue, respectively.

8. A method of manufacturing a color filter array, which is used for generating a plurality of pixel data of an image, the method comprising:

arranging a repeated pattern, repeatedly, for forming a color filter array comprising a plurality of pixels;

dividing each of the plurality of pixels into a plurality of sub-pixels with the same pixel color; and

altering at least one of the sub-pixels corresponding to a first pixel color in a first pixel of the plurality of pixel to a second pixel color;

wherein each of the plurality of pixels accumulates pixel value of at least one of the plurality of sub-pixels in each of the plurality of pixels as the pixel data outputted by each of the plurality of pixels;

wherein the first pixel color is different from the second pixel color.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pixel data outputted by each pixel is smaller than a saturated threshold.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second color is white.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sub-pixels of each of the plurality of pixels is arranged as a strip.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sub-pixels of each of the plurality of pixels is arranged as a rectangle.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of repeated pattern comprises a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel and a fourth pixel of the plurality of pixels;

wherein the second pixel is adjacent to a first side of the first pixel, the third pixel is adjacent to a second side of the first pixel and the fourth side is adjacent to the second pixel and the third pixel;

wherein the first pixel, the second pixel, the third pixel and the fourth pixel are respectively corresponding to a first pixel color, a second pixel color, the second pixel color and a third pixel color.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first pixel color, the second pixel color and the third pixel color are red, green and blue, respectively.