Patent Description:
A camera may be installed in an electronic device such as a mobile phone, enabling the electronic device with an image acquisition function. The camera may be provided with a color filter array therein to acquire a color image. At present, the color filter array in the camera is usually in a form of a Bayer array. Each color filter in a Bayer color filter array allows only single-color light to pass through, so that most of the light will be filtered out, affecting the quality of the image acquired by the camera.

<CIT> discloses an imaging apparatus, including an imaging device and a signal processing unit. The imaging device includes a first pixel group and a second pixel group, and each of the first pixel group and the second pixel group includes a plurality of pixels each configured to output a pixel signal. The signal processing unit is configured to perform weighted addition for a second pixel signal output from the second pixel group by inter-frame processing, and to change a weight on each frame in the weighted addition based on an inter-frame differential of a first pixel signal.

<CIT> discloses an imaging device, and the imaging device includes pixels, and each pixel includes a holding portion, an output unit, and a control unit that controls readout of pixel signals. The pixels include first to fourth pixels that output signals based on light of first to fourth wavelength ranges. A first unit pixel includes the first and second pixels but no third pixel, which share the holding portion. A second unit pixel includes the first and third pixels but no second pixel, which share the holding portion. A third unit pixel includes the first and fourth pixels but neither second nor third pixel, which share the holding portion. The control unit reads, from the first unit pixel, a signal in which signals of the first and second pixels are added in the holding portion, and reads, from the third unit pixel, a signal in which signals of the first pixels are added in the holding portion.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an image acquisition method, a camera assembly, and a mobile terminal.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the image acquisition method, the camera assembly and the mobile terminal are provided. The pixel array is exposed to acquire the first color original image including image data of only a color channel and the second color original image including image data of both the color channel and full-color channel, and the first color original image and the second color original image are interpolated and fused to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the definition of the image with the image data of the panchromatic color channel, i.e., a transparent color channel, so that the quality of the image taken in a dark environment can be improved.

Additional aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be given in part in the following description, and become apparent in part from the following descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the disclosure.

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, in which:.

The embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where same or similar references indicate, throughout the drawings, same or similar elements or elements having same or similar functions. The embodiments described with reference to the drawings are exemplary and only used for explaining the disclosure, and should not be construed as limitations to the disclosure.

In the related art, the color filter array in the camera is usually in the form of a Bayer array. Each color filter in a Bayer color filter array allows only single-color light to pass through, so that most of the light will be filtered out, which affects a quality of the image acquired by the camera.

For the above reasons, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the disclosure provides a camera assembly <NUM>. The camera assembly <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> includes a pixel array <NUM>, the pixel array <NUM> includes multiple sub-units, each sub-unit includes at least one transparent photosensitive pixel W and at least one color photosensitive pixel, and the color photosensitive pixel has a narrower spectral response range than the transparent photosensitive pixel W. The pixel array <NUM> is exposed to acquire a first color original image and a second color original image, the first color original image is composed of multiple pieces of first color original image data, each piece of the first color original image data is generated by the at least one color photosensitive pixel of the sub-unit, the second color original image is composed of multiple pieces of second color original image data, and each piece of the second color original image data is generated by the at least one transparent photosensitive pixel W and the at least one color photosensitive pixel of the sub-unit. The processor <NUM> is electrically connected to the image sensor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is configured to perform, for each of multiple color channels, interpolation on the first color original image to acquire a first interpolated image of the color channel, and perform interpolation on the second color original image to acquire a second interpolated image of at least one color channel; fuse the second interpolated image with the first interpolated images of the multiple color channel to obtain fused images of the plurality of color channel; and acquire a target image based on the fused images of the multiple color channels.

The camera assembly <NUM> according to the embodiments of the disclosure acquires, by exposing the pixel array <NUM>, the first color original image including image data of only monochromatic color channel and the second color original image including image data of both the monochromatic color channel and panchromatic color channel, performs the interpolation on the first color original image to acquire first interpolated images of multiple color channels, performs the interpolation on the second color original image to acquire the second interpolated image of at least one color channel, and fuses the first interpolated image and the second interpolated image to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the definition of the image so that the quality of the image taken in the dark environment can be improved.

The camera assembly <NUM> according to the embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Referring to <FIG>, the image sensor <NUM> includes a pixel array <NUM>, a vertical driving unit <NUM> a control unit <NUM>, a column processing unit <NUM> and a horizontal driving unit <NUM>.

For example, the image sensor <NUM> may be adopted with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) photosensitive element or a charge-coupled device (CCD) photosensitive element.

For example, the pixel array may include multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) arranged in a two-dimensional array (i.e., arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form), and each photosensitive pixel <NUM> includes a photoelectric conversion element <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>). Each photosensitive pixel <NUM> converts light into electric charge according to an intensity of incident light.

For example, the vertical driving unit <NUM> includes a shift register and an address decoder. The vertical driving unit <NUM> includes a readout scanning function and a reset scanning function. The readout scanning function refers to sequentially scanning unit photosensitive pixels <NUM> row by row, and reading signals from these unit photosensitive pixels <NUM> row by row. For example, a signal output by each photosensitive pixel <NUM> in the selected and scanned photosensitive pixel row is transmitted to the column processing unit <NUM>. The reset scanning function is configured to reset the electric charge, and a photo-electron of the photoelectric conversion element <NUM> is discarded, such that the accumulation of new photo-electron may be started.

For example, the signal processing performed by the column processing unit <NUM> is correlated double sampling (CDS) processing. In the CDS process, a reset level and a signal level output by each photosensitive pixel <NUM> in the selected photosensitive pixel row are taken out, and a level difference is calculated. In this way, the signals of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in a row are obtained. The column processing unit <NUM> may have an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion function for converting an analog pixel signal into a digital format.

For example, the horizontal driving unit <NUM> includes a shift register and an address decoder. The horizontal driving unit <NUM> may sequentially scan the two-dimensional pixel array <NUM> column by column. Through the selection scanning operation performed by the horizontal driving unit <NUM>, each photosensitive pixel column is sequentially processed and output by the column processing unit <NUM>.

For example, the control unit <NUM> may configure timing signals according to an operation mode, and utilize multiple types of timing signals to control the vertical driving unit <NUM>, the column processing unit <NUM>, and the horizontal driving unit <NUM> to work together.

Referring to <FIG>, the photosensitive pixel <NUM> includes a pixel circuit <NUM>, a filter <NUM>, and a microlens <NUM>. The microlens <NUM>, the filter <NUM>, and the pixel circuit <NUM> are arranged in sequence along the light-receiving direction of the photosensitive pixel <NUM>. The microlens <NUM> is configured to condense light, and the filter <NUM> is configured to pass light of a certain wavelength band and filter out the light of other wavelength bands. The pixel circuit <NUM> is configured to convert the received light into electrical signals, and provide the generated electrical signals to the column processing unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the pixel circuit <NUM> may be applied to each photosensitive pixel <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in the pixel array <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The working principle of the pixel circuit <NUM> will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the pixel circuit <NUM> includes a photoelectric conversion element <NUM> (e.g., a photodiode), an exposure control circuit (e.g., a transfer transistor <NUM>), a reset circuit (e.g., reset transistor <NUM>), an amplifier circuit (e.g., an amplifier transistor <NUM>), and a selection circuit (e.g., a selection transistor <NUM>). In the embodiments of the disclosure, the transfer transistor <NUM>, the reset transistor <NUM>, the amplifier transistor <NUM>, and the selection transistor <NUM> are, for example, MOS transistors, but are not limited thereto.

For example, the photoelectric conversion element <NUM> includes a photodiode, and the anode of the photodiode may be connected to the ground. The photodiode converts the received light into an electric charge. The cathode of the photodiode is connected to a floating diffusion unit FD through the exposure control circuit (for example, the transfer transistor <NUM>). The FD is connected to the gate of the amplifier transistor <NUM> and the source of the reset transistor <NUM>.

For example, the exposure control circuit is the transfer transistor <NUM>, and the control terminal TG of the exposure control circuit is the gate of the transfer transistor <NUM>. When a pulse of an active level (for example, a VPIX level) is transmitted to the gate of the transfer transistor <NUM> through an exposure control line, the transfer transistor <NUM> is turned on. The transfer transistor <NUM> transfers the photoconverted charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion unit FD.

For example, the drain of the reset transistor <NUM> is connected to the pixel power supply (VPIX). The source of the reset transistor <NUM> is connected to the floating diffusion unit FD. Before the charge is transferred from the photodiode to the floating diffusion unit FD, the pulse of the effective reset level is transmitted to the gate of the reset transistor <NUM> through a reset line, and the reset transistor <NUM> is turned on. The reset transistor <NUM> resets the floating diffusion unit FD to the pixel power supply VPIX.

For example, the gate of the amplifier transistor <NUM> is connected to the floating diffusion unit FD. The drain of the amplifier transistor <NUM> is connected to the pixel power supply VPIX. After the floating diffusion unit FD is reset by the reset transistor <NUM>, the amplifier transistor <NUM> outputs a reset level through an output terminal OUT through the selection transistor <NUM>. After the charge of the photodiode is transferred by the transfer transistor <NUM>, the amplifier transistor <NUM> outputs a signal level through the output terminal OUT of the selection transistor <NUM>.

For example, the drain of the selection transistor <NUM> is connected to the source of the amplifier transistor <NUM>. The source of the selection transistor <NUM> is connected to the column processing unit <NUM> in <FIG> through the output terminal OUT. When the pulse of the active level is transmitted to the gate of the selection transistor <NUM> through the selection line, the selection transistor <NUM> is turned on. The signal output by the amplifier transistor <NUM> is transmitted to the column processing unit <NUM> through the selection transistor <NUM>.

It should be noted that the pixel structure of the pixel circuit <NUM> in the embodiments of the disclosure is not limited to the structure shown in <FIG>. For example, the pixel circuit <NUM> may have a three-transistor pixel structure, in which the functions of the amplifier transistor <NUM> and the selection transistor <NUM> are performed by a transistor. For example, the exposure control circuit is not limited to a single transfer transistor <NUM>, and other electronic elements or structures with the function of controlling the conduction of the control terminal may also be implemented as the exposure control circuit in the embodiments of the disclosure. The single transfer transistor <NUM> according to the embodiments of the disclosure is simple to implement, low cost, and easy to control.

Referring to <FIG>, schematic diagrams of the arrangement of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) in the pixel array <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) according to some embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated. The photosensitive pixels <NUM> include two types, one is a transparent photosensitive pixel W, and the other is a color photosensitive pixel. The pixel array <NUM> includes multiple minimum repeating units, and each minimum repeating unit includes multiple subunits. <FIG> only illustrate the arrangements of multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> in one minimum repeating unit composed of four subunits. In other examples, the quantity of the subunits in each minimum repeating unit may also be two, three, five, ten, etc., which is not limited to these examples. The pixel array <NUM> may be formed by duplicating the minimum repeating unit composed of the four subunits, which is illustrated in <FIG>, multiple times on the rows and columns. Each subunit includes at least one transparent photosensitive pixel and at least one color photosensitive pixel. Specifically, in each sub-unit, the transparent photosensitive pixels W and the color photosensitive pixels may be alternately arranged. In at least one alternative embodiment, in each sub-unit, multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same row may have the same color channel. In at least one alternative embodiment, in each sub-unit, multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same column may have the same color channel. In at least one alternative embodiment, in each minimum repeating unit, multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same row and with the same color channel and multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same column and with the same color may be arranged alternatively. In at least one alternative embodiment, in a case where there is one transparent photosensitive pixel and multiple color photosensitive pixels in each sub-unit, the transparent photosensitive pixel W may be located at any position in the sub-unit. In at least one alternative embodiment, in a case where there are multiple transparent photosensitive pixels and one color photosensitive pixel in each sub-unit, the color photosensitive pixel may be located at any position in the sub-unit.

Specifically, for example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

where W represents the transparent photosensitive pixel W, A represents a first color photosensitive pixel in the multiple color photosensitive pixels, B represents a second color photosensitive pixel in the multiple color photosensitive pixels, and C represents a third color photosensitive pixel in the multiple color photosensitive pixels.

As illustrated in <FIG>, for each sub-unit, the transparent photosensitive pixel W and the color photosensitive pixel are arranged alternatively.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there are three types of sub-units. Specifically, a first type of sub-unit UA includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple first color photosensitive pixels A; a second type of sub-unit UB includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple second color photosensitive pixels B; and a third type of sub-unit UC includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple third color photosensitive pixels C. Each minimum repeating unit includes four subunits, i.e., one first type of sub-unit UA, two second type of sub-units UB, and one third type of sub-unit UC. Specifically, the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are arranged in a first diagonal direction D1 (for example, a direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner in <FIG>), and the two second type of sub-units UB are arranged in a second diagonal direction D2 (for example, a direction connecting the upper right corner and the lower left corner in <FIG>). The first diagonal direction D1 is different from the second diagonal direction D2. For example, the first diagonal and the second diagonal are perpendicular.

It should be noted that, in some other embodiments, the first diagonal direction D1 may also refer to the direction connecting the upper right corner and the lower left corner, and the second diagonal direction D2 may also refer to the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner. In addition, the term "direction" used herein does not refer to a single direction, but may be understood as a concept of a "straight line", that is, the term "direction" has bidirectional directions between two ends of the straight line. The explanation of the first diagonal direction D1 and the second diagonal direction D2 in <FIG> is the same as the explanation that given here.

In another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

The arrangement of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the minimum repeating unit illustrated in <FIG> is almost the same as the arrangement of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the minimum repeating unit illustrated in <FIG>. The difference is that the alternating sequence of the transparent photosensitive pixels W and the color photosensitive pixels in the second type of sub-unit UB located in the lower left corner in <FIG> is different from the alternating sequence of the transparent photosensitive pixels W and the color photosensitive pixels in the second type of sub-unit UB located in the lower left corner in <FIG>. Specifically, in the second type of sub-unit UB located in the lower left corner in <FIG>, the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the first row is the transparent photosensitive pixel W and the color photosensitive pixel (i.e., the second color photosensitive pixel B); and the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the second row is the color photosensitive pixel (i.e., the second color photosensitive pixel B) and the transparent photosensitive pixel W. In the second type of sub-unit UB located in the lower left corner in <FIG>, the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the first row is the color photosensitive pixel (i.e., the second color photosensitive pixel B) and the transparent photosensitive pixel W, and the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the second row is the transparent photosensitive pixel W, the color photosensitive pixel (i.e., the second color photosensitive pixel B).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the alternating orders of the transparent photosensitive pixels W and the color photosensitive pixels in the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are different from the alternating order of the transparent photosensitive pixels W and the color photosensitive pixels in the second type of sub-unit UB located in the lower left corner. Specifically, in the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC illustrated in <FIG>, the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the first row is the transparent photosensitive pixel W and the color photosensitive pixel, and the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the second row is the color photosensitive pixel and the transparent photosensitive pixel W. In the second type of sub-unit UB located at the lower left corner illustrated in <FIG>, the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the first row is the color photosensitive pixel (i.e., the second color photosensitive pixel B) and the transparent photosensitive pixel W, and the alternating order of the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the second row is the transparent photosensitive pixel W and the color photosensitive pixel (i.e., the second color photosensitive pixel B).

Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the minimum repeating unit, the alternating orders of the transparent photosensitive pixels W and the color photosensitive pixels in different sub-units may be the same (as illustrated in <FIG>) or different (as illustrated in <FIG>).

In another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating still another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

where W represents the transparent photosensitive pixel, A represents a first color photosensitive pixel in the multiple color photosensitive pixels, B represents a second color photosensitive pixel in the multiple color photosensitive pixels, and C represents a third color photosensitive pixel in the multiple color photosensitive pixels.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there are three types of sub-units. Specifically, a first type of sub-unit UA includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple first color photosensitive pixels A; a second type of sub-unit UB includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple second color photosensitive pixels B; and a third type of sub-unit UC includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple third color photosensitive pixels C. Each minimum repeating unit includes four subunits, i.e., one first type of sub-unit UA, two second type of sub-units UB, and one third type of sub-unit UC. Specifically, the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are arranged in a first diagonal direction D1, and the two second type of sub-units UB are arranged in a second diagonal direction D2. The first diagonal direction D1 is different from the second diagonal direction D2. For example, the first diagonal and the second diagonal are perpendicular.

In yet another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

In still another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating still yet another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in each sub-unit, the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same row have the same color channel (that is, the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same row belong to the same type of photosensitive pixels <NUM>. Specifically, the same type of photosensitive pixels <NUM> includes the following conditions: (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the transparent photosensitive pixel W; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the first color photosensitive pixel A; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the second color photosensitive pixel B; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the third color photosensitive pixel C.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there are three types of sub-units. Specifically, a first type of sub-unit UA includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple first color photosensitive pixels A; a second type of sub-unit UB includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple second color photosensitive pixels B; and a third type of sub-unit UC includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple third color photosensitive pixels C. The multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> with the same color channel may be located either in the first row of the sub-unit or in the second row of the sub-unit, which are not limited herein. Each minimum repeating unit includes four subunits, i.e., one first type of sub-unit UA, two second type of sub-units UB, and one third type of sub-unit UC. Specifically, the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are arranged in a first diagonal direction D1, and the two second type of sub-units UB are arranged in a second diagonal direction D2. The first diagonal direction D1 is different from the second diagonal direction D2. For example, the first diagonal and the second diagonal are perpendicular.

Specifically, in another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating still yet another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in each sub-unit, the multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> located in the same column have the same color channel (i.e., the multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> located in the same column belong to the same type of photosensitive pixel <NUM>). Specifically, the same type of photosensitive pixels <NUM> includes the following conditions: (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the transparent photosensitive pixel W; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the first color photosensitive pixel A; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the second color photosensitive pixel B; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the third color photosensitive pixel C.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there are three types of sub-units. Specifically, a first type of sub-unit UA includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple first color photosensitive pixels A; a second type of sub-unit UB includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple second color photosensitive pixels B; and a third type of sub-unit UC includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple third color photosensitive pixels C. The multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> with the same color channel may be located either in the first column of the sub-unit or in the second column of the sub-unit, which are not limited herein. Each minimum repeating unit includes four subunits, i.e., one first type of sub-unit UA, two second type of sub-units UB, and one third type of sub-unit UC. Specifically, the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are arranged in a first diagonal direction D1, and the two second type of sub-units UB are arranged in a second diagonal direction D2. The first diagonal direction D1 is different from the second diagonal direction D2. For example, the first diagonal and the second diagonal are perpendicular.

In still yet another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating still yet another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in each sub-unit, the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same row or the same column have the same color channel (that is, the photosensitive pixels <NUM> in the same row or in same column belong to the same type of photosensitive pixels <NUM>. Specifically, the same type of photosensitive pixels <NUM> includes the following conditions: (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the transparent photosensitive pixel W; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the first color photosensitive pixel A; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the second color photosensitive pixel B; (<NUM>) all the photosensitive pixels <NUM> are the third color photosensitive pixel C.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there are three types of sub-units. Specifically, a first type of sub-unit UA includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple first color photosensitive pixels A, the multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W locate in the same column, and the multiple first color photosensitive pixels A locate in the same column. A second type of sub-unit UB includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple second color photosensitive pixels B, the multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W locate in the same row, and the multiple second color photosensitive pixels B locates in the same row. A third type of sub-unit UC includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and multiple third color photosensitive pixels C, the multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W locates in the same column, and the multiple third color photosensitive pixels C locates in the same column. Each minimum repeating unit includes four subunits, i.e., one first type of sub-unit UA, two second type of sub-units UB, and one third type of sub-unit UC. Specifically, the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are arranged in a first diagonal direction D1, and the two second type of sub-units UB are arranged in a second diagonal direction D2. The first diagonal direction D1 is different from the second diagonal direction D2. For example, the first diagonal and the second diagonal are perpendicular.

Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the same minimum repeating unit, the multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> located in the same row in some sub-units belong to the same type of photosensitive pixel <NUM>, and the multiple photosensitive pixels <NUM> located in the same column in some other sub-units belong to the same type of photosensitive pixel <NUM>.

In still yet another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating still another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there is only one photosensitive pixel among the four photosensitive pixels <NUM> of each sub-unit. In each minimum repeating unit, the color photosensitive pixel may be located at any position in the sub-unit (for example, located at the upper left position of the sub-unit as illustrated in <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, there are three types of sub-units. Specifically, a first type of sub-unit UA includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and one first color photosensitive pixel A; a second type of sub-unit UB includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and one second color photosensitive pixel B; and a third type of sub-unit UC includes multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and one third color photosensitive pixel C. Each minimum repeating unit includes four subunits, i.e., one first type of sub-unit UA, two second type of sub-units UB, and one third type of sub-unit UC. Specifically, the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are arranged in a first diagonal direction D1, and the two second type of sub-units UB are arranged in a second diagonal direction D2. The first diagonal direction D1 is different from the second diagonal direction D2. For example, the first diagonal and the second diagonal are perpendicular.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there is only one photosensitive pixel among the four photosensitive pixels <NUM> of each sub-unit. In each minimum repeating unit, the color photosensitive pixel may be located at any position in the sub-unit (for example, located at the upper left position, the lower left corner, the upper right corner, or the lower right corner of the sub-unit as illustrated in <FIG>).

For still yet another example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating still another arrangement of photosensitive pixels <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in a minimum repeating unit in the pixel array according to some embodiment of the disclosure. The minimum repeating unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> which are arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and each sub-unit is composed of <NUM> photosensitive pixels <NUM> arranged in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. The arrangement is:.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there is only one transparent photosensitive pixel W among the four photosensitive pixels <NUM> of each sub-unit. In each minimum repeating unit, the transparent photosensitive pixel W may be located at any position in the sub-unit (for example, located at the upper left position of the sub-unit as illustrated in <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, there are three types of sub-units. Specifically, a first type of sub-unit UA includes one transparent photosensitive pixel W and multiple first color photosensitive pixels A; a second type of sub-unit UB includes one transparent photosensitive pixel W and multiple second color photosensitive pixels B; and a third type of sub-unit UC includes one transparent photosensitive pixel W and multiple third color photosensitive pixels C. Each minimum repeating unit includes four subunits, i.e., one first type of sub-unit UA, two second type of sub-units UB, and one third type of sub-unit UC. Specifically, the first type of sub-unit UA and the third type of sub-unit UC are arranged in a first diagonal direction D1, and the two second type of sub-units UB are arranged in a second diagonal direction D2. The first diagonal direction D1 is different from the second diagonal direction D2. For example, the first diagonal and the second diagonal are perpendicular.

As illustrated in <FIG>, there is only one transparent photosensitive pixel W among the four photosensitive pixels <NUM> of each sub-unit. In each minimum repeating unit, the transparent photosensitive pixel W may be located at any position in the sub-unit (for example, located at the upper left position, the lower left position, the upper right position or the lower right position of the sub-unit as illustrated in <FIG>).

In some embodiments, in the minimum repeating unit illustrated in <FIG>, the first color photosensitive pixel A may be the red photosensitive pixel R; the second color photosensitive pixel B may be a green photosensitive pixel G; and the third color photosensitive pixel C may be the blue photosensitive pixel Bu.

In some embodiments, in the minimum repeating unit illustrated in <FIG>, the first color photosensitive pixel A may be the red photosensitive pixel R; the second color photosensitive pixel B may be a yellow photosensitive pixel Y; and the third color photosensitive pixel C may be the blue photosensitive pixel Bu.

In some embodiments, in the minimum repeating unit illustrated in <FIG>, the first color photosensitive pixel A may be the magenta photosensitive pixel R; the second color photosensitive pixel B may be a cyan photosensitive pixel Cy; and the third color photosensitive pixel C may be the yellow photosensitive pixel Y.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the response band of the transparent photosensitive pixel W is a visible light band (for example, <NUM>-<NUM>). For example, the transparent photosensitive pixel W is provided with an infrared filter for filtering out infrared light. In some other embodiments, the response band of the transparent photosensitive pixel W includes the visible light wavelength band and a near-infrared wavelength band (for example, <NUM>-<NUM>), in which the response band matches the response band of the photoelectric conversion element <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) in the image sensor <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>). For example, the transparent photosensitive pixel W may not be provided with a filter or may be provided with a filter that allows all wavelengths of light to pass through, and the response wavelength band of the transparent photosensitive pixel W is determined based on the response wavelength band of the photoelectric conversion element <NUM>, that is, the two response wavelength bands are matched. The embodiments of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, the above-mentioned waveband ranges.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, the control unit <NUM> controls the pixel array <NUM> to be exposed to thereby acquiring a first color original image and a second color original image. Specifically, the first color original image is composed of multiple pieces of first color original image data, each piece of first color original image data is generated by the at least one color photosensitive pixel of the sub-unit, the second color original image is composed of multiple pieces of second color original image data, and each piece of second color original image data is generated by the at least one transparent photosensitive pixel and the at least one color photosensitive pixel in the sub-unit.

Referring to <FIG>, in an example, each sub-unit of the pixel array <NUM> includes the multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and the multiple color photosensitive pixels (as illustrated in <FIG>). After the control unit <NUM> controls the pixel array <NUM> to be exposed, a sum or an average of multiple electrical signals, which are generated by the multiple color photosensitive pixels in the sub-unit in response to receiving light, is taken as a piece of the first color original image data, and the multiple pieces of the first color original image data of all sub-units in the pixel array <NUM> compose the first color original image; a sum or an average of multiple electrical signals, which are generated by the multiple transparent photosensitive pixels W and all the multiple color photosensitive pixel in the sub-unit in response to receiving light, is taken as a piece of the second color original image data, and the multiple pieces of the second color original image data of all sub-units in the pixel array <NUM> compose the second color original image.

Referring to <FIG>, for example, a piece of first color original image data is acquired by calculating a sum or an average of two electrical signals generated by two first color photosensitive pixels A in the first type of sub-unit UA in response to receiving light. For each of the two second type of sub-units UB, a piece of first color original image data is acquired by calculating a sum or an average of two electrical signals generated by two second photosensitive pixels B in the second type of sub-unit UB in response to receiving light, thereby acquiring the two pieces of first color original image data. For the third type of sub-unit UC, a piece of first color original image data is acquired by calculating a sum or an average of two electrical signals generated by two third color photosensitive pixels C in the third type of sub-unit UC in response to receiving light. The four pieces of first color original image data together compose a first image unit in the first color original image, and multiple pixels in the first image unit are arranged in the form of ABBC. For the first type of sub-unit UA, a piece of the second color original image data is acquired by calculating a sum or an average of two electrical signals, which are generated by the two transparent photosensitive pixels W in response to receiving light, and two electrical signals, which are generated by the two first color photosensitive pixels A in response to receiving light. For each of the two second type of sub-units UB, a piece of the second color original image data is acquired by calculating a sum or an average of two electrical signals, which are generated by the two transparent photosensitive pixels W in the second type of sub-unit UB in response to receiving light, and two electrical signals, which are generated by the two second color photosensitive pixels B in the second type of sub-unit UB in response to receiving light, thereby acquiring two pieces of the second color original image data. For the third type of sub-unit UC, a piece of the second color original image data is acquired by calculating a sum or an average of two electrical signals, which are generated by the two transparent photosensitive pixel W in response to receiving the light, and two electrical signals, which are generated by the two third color photosensitive pixels C in response to receiving light. The four pieces of the second color original image data together compose a second image unit in the second color original image, and multiple pixels in the second image unit are arranged in the form of ABBC.

It should be noted that, in another example, when each sub-unit includes a transparent photosensitive pixel, an electrical signal generated by the transparent photosensitive pixel in response to receiving light is taken as a piece of the first color original image data, and a sum or an average of an electrical signal generated by the color photosensitive pixel in response to receiving light and all electrical signal generated by all the transparent photosensitive pixel in response to receiving light is taken as a piece of the second color original image data. In still another example, when each sub-unit includes a transparent photosensitive pixel W, a sum or an average of an electrical signal generated by the transparent photosensitive pixel W in response to receiving light and all electrical signal generated by all the color photosensitive pixel in the sub-unit in response to receiving light is taken as a piece of the second color original image data.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, after acquiring the first color original image and the second color original image, the image sensor <NUM> performs, for each color channel, the interpolation on the first color original image to acquire the first interpolated image of the color channel, and performs the interpolation on the second color original image to acquire the second interpolated image of at least one color channel.

In an example, a reference area <NUM> for the interpolation processing of the first color original image may be an area of size <NUM>×<NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>), where A represents the first color photosensitive pixel in the first color original image; B represents the second color photosensitive pixel in the first color original image; C represents the third color photosensitive pixel in the first color original image. Based on the principles that local color difference is constant and the interpolation of adjacent pixels along the interpolation direction is constant, a demosaicing algorithm may be used to perform the interpolation on the first color original image to thereby acquire the first interpolated image of the second color channel. When the pixel in the first color original image has image data of the second color channel, the image data of the second color channel of the pixel in the first color original image is taken as image data of the second color channel of the pixel in the first interpolated image. For example, B <NUM>'=B <NUM>. It requires performing the interpolation, when the pixel in the first color original image has image data of the first color channel or image data of the third color channel. For example, the interpolation is performed on a pixel C44 in the first color original image that has the image data of the third color channel, and a missed second color photosensitive pixel B44' corresponding to the C44 may be acquired through the following two equations, and the missed pixel is filled by the interpolation to obtain the first interpolated image of the second color channel. <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> and <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>.

The missed second color photosensitive pixel B44' corresponding to C44 may be acquired through the two equations.

The interpolation, which is performed on the pixel in the first color original image that has the image data of the first color channel to acquire the first interpolated image of the second color channel, is similar to the interpolation that is performed on the pixel having the image data of the third color channel to acquire the first interpolated image of the second color channel. Details are not repeated herein.

In another example, a reference area <NUM> for the interpolation processing of the first color original image may be an area of size <NUM>×<NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>), where A represents the first color photosensitive pixel in the first color original image; B represents the second color photosensitive pixel in the first color original image; C represents the third color photosensitive pixel in the first color original image. Based on the principles that the local color difference is constant and the interpolation of adjacent pixels along the interpolation direction is constant, the demosaicing algorithm may be used to perform the interpolation on the first color original image to thereby acquire a first interpolated image of the first color channel. When the pixel in the first color original image has the image data of the first color channel, the image data of the first color channel of the pixel in the first color original image is taken as the image data of the corresponding pixel in the first interpolated image of the first color channel. For example, A11'=A11. It requires performing the interpolation, when the pixel in the first color original image has image data of the third color channel. For example, the interpolation is performed on a pixel C44, and a missed second color photosensitive pixel A44' corresponding to the C44 may be acquired through the following two equations, and the missed pixel is filled by the interpolation to obtain the first interpolated image of the first color channel. Specifically, image data of pixels B33', B35', B44', B53' and B55' may be acquired according to the calculation manner illustrated in <FIG>. <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> and <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>.

The missed second color photosensitive pixel A44' corresponding to C44 may be acquired through the two equations.

Referring to <FIG>, the interpolation is performed on the first color original image to acquire the first interpolated image of the first color channel. It requires to perform the interpolation, when the pixel in the first color original image has image data of the second color channel. For example, the interpolation is performed on a pixel B34, and a missed first color photosensitive pixel A34' corresponding to the B34 may be acquired through the following two equations, and the missed pixel is filled by the interpolation to obtain the first interpolated image of the first color channel. <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>.

In the above examples, the interpolation, which is weighted with both left and right directions, is performed on the pixel in the first color original image that has the image data of the second color channel to acquire the interpolated image of the first color channel. For example, the interpolation direction of the missed first color photosensitive A34' corresponding to the B34 is to perform the weighting with both the left and right directions. In at least one alternative embodiment, the interpolation, which is weighted by both up and down directions is performed on the pixel in the first color original image that has the image data of the second color channel to acquire the interpolated image of the first color channel. For example, the interpolation direction for calculating the missed first color photosensitive A45' corresponding to the B45 is to weight with both up and down directions. The calculation method of weighting with the left and right directions is similar to the calculation method of weighting with the upper and lower directions, and details are not described here.

Based on the principles that local color difference is constant and the interpolation of adjacent pixels along the interpolation direction is constant, the demosaicing algorithm may be used to perform the interpolation on the first color original image to thereby acquire a first interpolated image of the third color channel. When the pixel in the first color original image has image data of the third color channel, the image data of the third color channel of the pixel in the third color original image is taken as image data of a pixel in the first interpolated image of the third color channel. It requires to perform the interpolation when the pixel in the first color original image has the data map of the first color channel or the second color channel. The interpolation, which is performed on the pixel in the first color original image that has the image data of the first color channel to acquire the first interpolated image of the third color channel, is similar to the interpolation that is performed on the pixel having the image data of the third color channel to acquire the first interpolated image of the first color channel. Details are not repeated herein. The interpolation is performed on the pixel in the first color original image that having the image data of the second color channel, so as to acquire the first interpolated image of the third color channel, which is similar to the interpolation that is performed on the pixel having the image data of the second color channel to acquire the first interpolated image of the first color channel. Details are not repeated herein.

In the embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may adopt the demosaicing algorithm to perform the interpolation on the second color original image, so as to acquire a second interpolated image of at least one color channel. The processor <NUM> performs the interpolation on the second color original image in a manner similar to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> to obtain the second interpolated image of the first color channel, the second interpolated image of the second color channel, and the second interpolated image of the second color channel. Details will not be described here.

In some embodiments, a shape of a window formed by the reference area for the interpolation performed on the first color original image and the second color original image may be a square, or other shapes such as a rectangle, which are not limited thereto. Size of the reference area for the interpolation performed on the first color original image and the second color original image may be 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 3x5, 5x7, 7x7, 9x5, etc., which is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the interpolation method of the first color original image and the second color original image may also be other commonly used demosaicing algorithms, such as nearest neighbor interpolation, linear interpolation, cubic interpolation, high-quality linear interpolation method, smooth hue transition interpolation, pattern recognition interpolation, adaptive color plane interpolation, interpolation algorithm based on orientated weighted gradient, etc..

In some embodiments, after acquiring the first interpolated image and the second interpolated image, the image sensor <NUM> fuses, for each color channel, the second interpolated image with the first interpolated image of the color channel to obtain a fused image of the color channel, thereby obtaining the fused images of the multiple color channels. In an example, the second interpolated image of the second color channel is fused with the first interpolated image of each color channel to obtain the fused image of each color channel. The second interpolated image of the second color channel is fused with the first interpolated image of the first color channel to obtain the fused image of the first color channel. The second interpolated image of the second color channel is fused with the first interpolated image of the second color channel to obtain the fused image of the second color channel. The second interpolated image of the second color channel is fused with the first interpolated image of the third color channel to obtain the fused image of the third color channel. A target image is obtained based on the fused images of the multiple color channel.

In some embodiments, after the first interpolated image of the multiple color channel and the second interpolated image of the at least one color channel are acquired, the first interpolated image of the multiple color channel and the second interpolated image of the at least one color channel may be processed by the operation as follows. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may filter, for each of the multiple color channels, the first interpolated image of the color channel to obtain a first filtered image of the color channel; and the first filtered image is composed of multiple pieces of first filtered image data. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may filter the second interpolated image of the at least one color channel to obtain a second filtered image; and the second filtered image is composed of multiple pieces of second filtered image data.

In some embodiments, the processor may filter the first interpolated image of each color channel to obtain the first filtered image of each color channel in a manner as follows. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may determine a first to-be-filtered pixel and a first to-be-filtered area in the first interpolated image of the first color channel, and the first to-be-filtered pixel is located in the first to-be-filtered area. The processor <NUM> may determine a first reference pixel and a first reference area in the second interpolated image, where the first reference pixel corresponds to the first to-be-filtered pixel, and the first reference area corresponds to the first to-be-filtered area. For example, with regard to the processor <NUM> filtering the first interpolated image of the first color channel (as illustrated in <FIG>), the processor <NUM> determines a pixel A44' as the first to-be-filtered pixel, and then the processor <NUM> may determine the first to-be-filtered area <NUM> according to the first to-be-filtered pixel A44', and then the processor <NUM> may determine the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' and the first reference area <NUM> in the second interpolated image, in which the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' corresponds to the first to-be-filtered pixel A44', and the first reference area <NUM> corresponds to the first to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the first color channel. It should be noted that, the first to-be-filtered pixel A44' of the first color channel may be located at any position in the first to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the first color channel; a shape of a window formed by the first reference area <NUM> may be a square, or other shapes such as a rectangle, which is not limited thereto. The size of the first reference area <NUM> may be 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 3x5, 5x7, 7x7, or 9x5, etc., which is not limited thereto. In an illustrated embodiment, the first reference area <NUM> is an area of size <NUM>×<NUM>. Multiple first pixels in the first reference area <NUM> include B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>'. For each of the multiple first pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>, in the first reference area <NUM>, the processor <NUM> calculates a weight for the first pixel relative to the first reference pixel B'<NUM>', and the weight includes a weight in a spatial domain and a weight in a range domain. A pixel value of the first to-be-filtered pixel of the first color channel is corrected to obtain one piece of the first filtered image data of the first color channel, according to the weights for the multiple first pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>, and pixel values of pixels corresponding to the first to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the first color channel.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may calculate the weights in the spatial domain for the multiple first pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>', relative to the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' according to a weight function f(∥p - q∥), where p represents the coordinates of the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' in the first reference area <NUM>, q represents the coordinates of the multiple first pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', in the first reference area <NUM>, and f represents the weight function in the spatial domain. Specifically, for each of the multiple first pixels, the smaller the coordinate difference between the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' and the first pixel (that is, the closer the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' is to the first pixel), the higher the weight in the spatial domain for first reference pixel B'<NUM>' relative to the first pixel. The processor <NUM> may calculate the weights in the range domain for the multiple first pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>', relative to the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' according to a weight function g(∥Ĩp - Ĩq∥), where Ĩp represents first interpolated image data (may also be understood as a pixel value) of the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' in the first reference area <NUM>, and Ĩq represents first interpolated image data (may also be understood as pixel values) of the multiple first pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', in the first reference area <NUM>, and g represents the weight function in the range domain. Specifically, for each of the multiple first pixels, the larger the difference between the first interpolated image data of the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' and the first interpolated image data of the first pixel, the smaller the weight in the range domain.

After acquiring the weights for the multiple first pixels, the processor <NUM> may correct, according to the weights for the multiple first pixels and the pixel values of pixels corresponding to the first to-be-filtered area of the first color channel, a pixel value of the first to-be-filtered pixel of the first color channel to obtain one piece of the first filtered image data of the first color channel. Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may calculate according to the equation <MAT>, where kp = Σq∈Ωf(∥p - q∥)g(∥Ĩp - Ĩq∥), Jp is the first filtered image data (i.e., an output pixel value) of the first color channel, kp is a sum of the weights for the first reference area <NUM>, Ω is the filter window, Iq is the pixel value of the pixel, i.e., A33', A34', A35', A43', A44', A45', A53', A54', and A55', corresponding to the first to-be-filtered area <NUM>. As such, through the calculation, the processor <NUM> may acquire the first filtered image data, i.e., A33", A34", A35", A43", A44", A45", A53", A54", and A55" of respective first to-be-filtered pixels, i.e., A33', A34', A35', A43', A44', A45', A53', A54', and A55', in the first to-be-filtered area <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may traverse each pixel in the first interpolated image of the first color channel to obtain the multiple pieces of first filtered image data of the first color channel. In other words, the processor <NUM> may determine each pixel in the first interpolated image of the first color channel as the first to-be-filtered pixel and filter each pixel in a manner of the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, thereby obtaining the first filtered image data of the first color channel corresponding to the pixel. After acquiring the multiple pieces of the first filtered image data of the first color channel, the multiple pieces of the first filtered image data of the first color channel may compose the first filtered image of the first color channel.

It can be understood that, the first filtered images of the multiple color channels are obtained by filtering the first interpolated images of the multiple color channels, respectively. Specifically, the first filtered image is composed of multiple pieces of first filtered image data, the first filtered image data may be obtained by performing the correction based on the weights for the first pixels in the second interpolated image and the pixel values of the pixels corresponding to the first to-be-filtered area. The second interpolated image is acquired by performing the interpolation on the second color original image having the transparent photosensitive pixel W and at least one color channel. Thus, the weights for the first pixels in the second interpolated image are used to filter the first interpolated image of each color channel, which can make the first filtered image of each color channel have high light intake and sharpness, while the first filtered image data can be calculated precise.

Similarly, the processor <NUM> may also filter the first interpolated image of the second color channel. For example, the processor <NUM> takes the pixel B44' as a first to-be-filtered pixel, and the processor <NUM> may determine a first to-be-filtered area <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) of the second color channel according to the first to-be-filtered pixel B44'. The processor <NUM> may determine a first reference pixel B'<NUM>' and a first reference area <NUM> in the second interpolated image. Specifically, the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' corresponds to the first to-be-filtered pixel B44' of the second color channel; and the first reference area <NUM> corresponds to the first to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel. For each of the multiple first pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>, in the first reference area <NUM>, the processor <NUM> calculates a weight for the first pixel relative to the first reference pixel B'<NUM>', and the weight includes a weight in a spatial domain and a weight in a range domain. A pixel value of the first to-be-filtered pixel of the second color channel is corrected to obtain a piece of the first filtered image data of the second color channel, according to the weights for the multiple first pixels and pixel values of pixels corresponding to the first to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel. The processor may filter the first interpolated image of the second color channel to obtain a first filtered image of the second color channel like the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>. Details are not described here.

Similarly, the processor <NUM> may also filter the first interpolated image of the third color channel. For example, the processor <NUM> takes a pixel C44' as a first to-be-filtered pixel, and the processor <NUM> may determine a first to-be-filtered area <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) of the third color channel according to the first to-be-filtered pixel C44'. The processor may determine a first reference pixel B'<NUM>' and a first reference area <NUM> in the second interpolated image, in which the first reference pixel B'<NUM>' corresponds to the first to-be-filtered pixel C44' of the third color channel, and the first reference area <NUM> corresponds to the first to-be-filtered area of the third color channel. Multiple first pixels in the first reference area <NUM> include B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>'. For each of the multiple first pixels , i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>, in the first reference area <NUM>, the processor <NUM> calculates weights for the first pixel relative to the first reference pixel B'<NUM>', and the weight includes the weight in a spatial domain and the weight in a range domain. A pixel value of the first to-be-filtered pixel of the third color channel is corrected to obtain a piece of the first filtered image data of the third color channel, according to the weights for the multiple first pixels, and pixel values of pixels corresponding to the first to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the third color channel. The processor <NUM> may filter the first interpolated image of the third color channel to obtain a first filtered image of the third color channel like the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>. Details are not described here.

The second filtered image is composed of multiple pieces of second filtered image data, and the second interpolated image is filtered to obtain the second filtered image. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may determine a second to-be-filtered pixel and a second to-be-filtered area in the second interpolated image, and the second to-be-filtered pixel is located in the second to-be-filtered area. For each of the multiple second pixels in the second to-be-filtered area, the processor <NUM> may calculate a weight for the second pixel relative to the second to-be-filtered pixel, and the weight includes a weight in a spatial domain and a weight in a range domain. The processor <NUM> may correct, according to the pixel values of the multiple second pixels and the weights for the multiple second pixels, pixel values of the second to-be-filtered pixels to obtain a piece of the second filtered image data. The processor <NUM> may traverse each pixel in the second interpolated image to obtain the multiple pieces of second filtered image data. For example, the processor <NUM> filters the second interpolated image of the second color channel (as illustrated in <FIG>), the processor <NUM> may determine a pixel B'<NUM>' in the second interpolated image of the second color channel as the second to-be-filtered pixel of the second color channel, and then the processor <NUM> may determine the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel according to the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>' of the second color channel. It should be noted that, the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>' of the second color channel may be located anywhere in the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel. A shape of a window formed by the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel may be a square, or other shapes such as a rectangle, which are not limited thereto. The size of the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> may be 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 3x5, 5x7, 7x7, or 9x5, etc., which is not limited thereto. In an illustrated embodiment, the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel is an area of size <NUM>×<NUM>. The multiple second reference pixels of the second color channel in the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel further include: B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>'. For each of the second reference pixels i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>', of the second color channel, the processor <NUM> calculates a weight for the second reference pixel relative to the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>' of the second color channel, in which the weight includes a weight in a spatial domain and a weight in a range domain. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may calculate the weights in the spatial domain of the multiple second reference pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>', of the second color channel relative to the second to-be-filtered pixel of the second color channel B'<NUM>' according to a weight function f(∥p - q∥), where p represents the coordinates of the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>' in the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel, and q represents the coordinates of the multiple second reference pixels, i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', of the second color channel in the second to-be-filtered pixel area <NUM>, and f represents the weight function in the spatial domain. Specifically, for each of the multiple second reference pixels of the second color channel, the smaller the coordinate difference between the second to-be-filtered pixel of the second color channel B'<NUM>' and the second reference pixel of the second color channel(that is, the closer the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>'of the second color channel is to the second reference pixel of the second color channel), the higher the weight in the spatial domain for the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>'of the second color channel relative to the second reference pixel of the second color channel. The processor <NUM> may calculate the weights in the spatial domain for the multiple second reference pixels , i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>', of the second color channel relative to the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>' of the second color channel according to a weight function g(∥Ĩp - Ĩq∥), where Ĩp represents second interpolated image data (may also be understood as a pixel value) of the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>' of the second color channel, Ĩq represents second interpolated image data (may also be understood as pixel values) of the multiple second reference pixels , i.e., B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>', B'<NUM>' and B'<NUM>', of the second color channel and g represents the weight function in the range domain. Specifically, for each of the multiple second reference pixels of the second color channel, the larger the difference between the second interpolated image data of the second to-be-filtered pixel B'<NUM>' of the second color channel and the second interpolated image data of the second reference pixel of the second color channel, the smaller the weight in the range domain. The processor may correct, according to the pixel values and the weights for the multiple second reference pixels of the second color, the pixel value of the second to-be-filtered pixel to obtain one of the multiple pieces of the second filtered image data of the second color channel. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may perform the calculation according to the equation <MAT>, where kp = Σq∈Ωf(∥p - q∥)g(∥Ĩp - Ĩq∥), Jp is the second filtered image data (i.e., an output pixel value) of the second color channel, kp is a sum of weights for the second to-be-filtered area <NUM> of the second color channel, Ω is a filtering window, and Ĩq is the pixel value of the second to-be-filtered pixel of the second color channel. The processor <NUM> may traverse each pixel in the second interpolated image of the second color channel to obtain the multiple pieces of the second filtered image data of the second color channels, and the processor <NUM> may compose the multiple pieces of the second filtered image data of multiple second color channels into the second filtered image of the second color channel.

The processor <NUM> may also filter the second interpolated image of the first color channel and the second interpolated image of the third color channel to obtain the second filtered image of the first color channel and the second filtered image of the third color channel respectively, in a manner similar to the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>. Details are not described here.

In the embodiments of the disclosure, by filtering the first interpolated image and the second interpolated image, the flat area in the filtered image is smooth, while protecting the edge area in the filtered image from being blurred and therefore be prominent, which is conducive to improving the imaging quality of the camera assembly <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>).

After the processor <NUM> filters, for each of the multiple color channels, the first interpolated image of the color channel to obtain the first filtered image of the color channel and filters the second interpolated image of at least one color channel to obtain the second filtered image of the at least one color channel, the processor <NUM> may further fuse the second filtered image with the first filtered images of the multiple color channels to obtain fused images of the multiple color channels, in which the fused image is composed of multiple pieces of fused image data. An example is described as follows.

The processor may obtain one of the multiple pieces of fused image data by performing a calculation according to one of the multiple pieces of the first filtered image data, one of the multiple pieces of the second filtered image, and one of the multiple pieces of the interpolated image data. Specifically, the fused image data is positively correlated with the first filtered image data, the fused image data is negatively correlated with the second filtered image data, and the fused image data is positively correlated with the interpolated image data. The processor <NUM> may traverse each pixel in the first filtered image to acquire the multiple pieces of fused image data. For example, b<NUM> represents image data of a preset pixel in the second interpolated image of the second color channel, a represents image data of a pixel corresponding to the preset pixel in the first filtered image of the first color channel, b represents image data of a pixel corresponding to the preset pixel in the first filtered image of the second color channel, c represents image data of a pixel corresponding to the preset pixel in the first filtered image of the third color channel, b<NUM> represents the second filtered image data of the second color channel. It can be obtained that the fused image data of the first color channel is ab<NUM>/b<NUM>, the fused image data of the second color channel is bb<NUM>/b<NUM>, and the fused image data of the third color channel is cb<NUM>/b<NUM>.

In some other embodiments, a<NUM> represents image data of a preset pixel in the second interpolated image of the first color channel, b<NUM> represents image data of the preset pixel in the second interpolated image of the second color channel, and c<NUM> represents image data of the preset pixel in the second interpolated image of the third color channel, a represents image data of a pixel corresponding to the preset pixel in the first filtered image of the first color channel, b represents image data of a pixel corresponding to the preset pixel in the first filtered image of the second color, c represents image data of a pixel corresponding to the preset pixel in the first filtered image of the third color channel, a<NUM> represents the second filtered image data of the first color channel, b<NUM> represents the second filtered image data of the second color channel, and c<NUM> represents the second filtered image data of the third color channel. It can be obtained that the fused image data of the first color channel is aa<NUM>/a<NUM>, the fused image data of the second color channel is bb<NUM>/b<NUM>, and the fused image data of the third color channel is cc<NUM>/c<NUM>.

In some embodiments, when the first filtered image data is greater than a preset pixel value, the processor <NUM> may determine the first filtered image data as the fused image data. When the first filtered image data is less than the preset pixel value, the processor <NUM> may obtain the fused image data by performing the calculation according to the first filtered image data, the second filtered image, and the interpolated image data. Specifically, the fused image data is positively correlated with the first filtered image data, the fused image data is negatively correlated with the second filtered image data, and the fused image data is positively correlated with the interpolated image data. For example, when the image sensor <NUM> is a <NUM>-bit image sensor, the processor <NUM> may set the preset pixel value to <NUM>. When the first filtered image data is greater than the preset pixel value of <NUM>, it is determined that the first filtered image data is in an overexposed state, and the processor <NUM> does not fuse the first filtered image data, and determines the first filtered image data as the fused image data. When the first filtered image data is less than the preset pixel value of <NUM>, the processor <NUM> performs the calculation according to the first filtered image data, the second filtered image data, and the interpolated image data, so as to obtain the fused image data.

After obtaining the fused images of the multiple color channels, the fused images of the multiple color channels may be directly converted into a YUV image, and the YUV image is taken as the target image. Alternatively, the pixels in the fused image of each color channel may be taken to form the target image of the Bayer array, and then the target image is transmitted to the image processor (ISP) for processing. In some embodiments, the processor <NUM> may include a processing circuit and the ISP. The processing circuit is integrated in the image sensor <NUM> and configured to implement the image acquisition method according to the embodiments of the disclosure. After the target image is obtained, the target image is transmitted to the ISP for performing subsequent image processing thereon.

It may be understood that, the target image is obtained from the fused images of the multiple color channel through performing the interpolation, the filtering and the fusing on the first color original image and the second color original image. The target image is fused with the transparent photosensitive pixel W with large light intake, so that the target image has high signal-to-noise ratio and clarity. In the embodiments of the disclosure, the first color original image inherits the high signal-to-noise ratio and clarity of the second color original image using fusion, which can improve the effect of taking pictures at night and the quality of the image.

Based on the above, the camera assembly <NUM> according to the embodiments of the disclosure obtains, by exposing the pixel array <NUM>, the first color original image including image data of only monochromatic color channel and the second color original image including image data of both the monochromatic color channel and panchromatic color channel, the camera assembly <NUM> performs the interpolation, the filtering and the fusing on the first color original image and the second color original image, to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the clarity of the image by using the image data of the panchromatic color channel, so that the quality of the image taken in the dark environment can be improved, the flat area in the image is smooth, and the edge area in the image is prominent to further improve the quality of the image.

Referring to <FIG>, the disclosure further provides a mobile terminal <NUM>. The mobile terminal <NUM> includes the camera assembly <NUM> described in any one of the foregoing embodiments and a housing <NUM>. The camera assembly <NUM> is combined with the housing <NUM>.

The mobile terminal <NUM> may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a smart wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, a smart bracelet, smart glasses, a smart helmet), a drone, a head-mounted display device, etc., which are not limited thereto.

The mobile terminal <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure obtains, by exposing the pixel array <NUM>, the first color original image including image data of only a monochromatic color channel and the second color original image including image data of both monochromatic color channel and the panchromatic color channel, and fuses the first color original image and the second color original image to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the clarity of the image by using the image data of the panchromatic color channel, so that the quality of the image taken in the dark environment can be improved.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the disclosure further provides an image acquisition method that may be applied to the image sensor <NUM> described in any one of the above embodiments. The image acquisition method includes operations as follows.

At <NUM>: exposing a pixel array <NUM> to acquire a first color original image and a second color original image, where the first color original image is composed of multiple pieces of first color original image data, each of the multiple pieces of first color original image data is generated by the at least one color photosensitive pixel of the sub-unit, the second color original image is composed of multiple pieces of second color original image data, and each of the multiple pieces of second color original image data is generated by the at least one transparent photosensitive pixel and the at least one color photosensitive pixel of the sub-unit.

At <NUM>: performing, for each of multiple color channels, an interpolation on the first color original image to acquire a first interpolated image of the color channel, and performing interpolation on the second color original image to acquire a second interpolated image of at least one color channel.

At <NUM>: fusing the second interpolated image with the first interpolated images of the plurality of color channels to obtain fused images of the plurality of color channels.

At <NUM>: acquiring a target image based on the fused images of the multiple color channels.

In the above embodiments, the acquisition method further includes:.

The operation <NUM> of acquiring the target image based on the fused images of the multiple color channels includes:
fusing the second filtered image with the first filtered image of the multiple color channels to obtain the fused images of the multiple color channels.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the operation of filtering, for each of the multiple color channels, the first interpolated image of the color channel to obtain a first filtered image of the color channel, includes:.

In some embodiments, the operation of filtering the second interpolated image to obtain a second filtered image, includes:.

In some embodiments, the operation of fusing the second filtered image with the first filtered images of the multiple color channels to obtain the fused images of the multiple color channels, includes:.

In some embodiments, the operation of fusing the second filtered image with the first filtered images of the multiple color channels to obtain the fused images of the multiple color channels, further includes:.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, when each of the multiple the sub-unit includes multiple the color photosensitive pixels, a sum or an average of multiple electrical signals generated by the multiple color photosensitive pixels after receiving light are taken as a piece of the first color original image data;.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, when each sub-unit includes one the transparent photosensitive pixel W, a sum or an average of an electrical signal generated by the transparent photosensitive pixel W after receiving light and all electrical signal generated by all the color photosensitive pixel in the sub-unit after receiving light is taken as a piece of the second color original image data.

Referring to <FIG>, when each sub-unit includes multiple the transparent photosensitive pixels, a sum or average of multiple electrical signals generated by the multiple transparent photosensitive pixels after receiving light and all electrical signal generated by all the color photosensitive pixel in the sub-unit is taken as a piece of the second color original image data.

Claim 1:
An image acquisition method, performed by a camera assembly (<NUM>) comprising an image sensor (<NUM>) and a processor (<NUM>), wherein the image sensor (<NUM>) comprises a pixel array (<NUM>) including a plurality of sub-units (UA, UB, UC), each of the plurality of sub-units (UA, UB, UC) comprises at least one transparent photosensitive pixel (W) and at least one color photosensitive pixel (A, B, C), and the color photosensitive pixel (A, B, C) has a narrower spectral response range than the transparent photosensitive pixel (W); wherein the image acquisition method comprises:
acquiring (<NUM>) a first color original image and a second color original image by exposing the pixel array (<NUM>), wherein the first color original image is composed of a plurality pieces of first color original image data, each of the plurality pieces of first color original image data is generated by the at least one color photosensitive pixel (A, B, C) of the sub-unit (UA, UB, UC), the second color original image is composed of a plurality pieces of second color original image data;
characterized in that,
each of the plurality pieces of second color original image data is generated by the at least one transparent photosensitive pixel (W) and the at least one color photosensitive pixel (A, B, C) of the sub-unit (UA, UB, UC); and
that the method further comprises:
performing (<NUM>), for each of a plurality of color channels, interpolation on the first color original image to acquire a first interpolated image of the color channel, and performing, for at least one of the plurality of color channels, interpolation on the second color original image to acquire a second interpolated image of the at least one color channel, the plurality of color channels comprising a first color channel, a second color channel and a third color channel;
fusing (<NUM>) the second interpolated image of the at least one color channel with the first interpolated images of the plurality of color channels to obtain fused images of the plurality of color channels; and
acquiring (<NUM>) a target image based on the fused images of the plurality of color channels.