WO2017099308A1

WO2017099308A1 - Color filter array and image sensor using same

Info

Publication number: WO2017099308A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/004363
Authority: WO
Inventors: 예창희; 장현식; 민대성
Original assignee: (주) 픽셀플러스
Priority date: 2015-12-09
Filing date: 2016-04-26
Publication date: 2017-06-15
Also published as: KR101806956B1; CN108370421B; CN108370421A

Abstract

The present technology provides a new structure of a color filter array. A color filter array according to an embodiment of the present technology may comprise: a first unit pixel array in which a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter are arranged in an array form; and a second unit pixel array in which a forth color filter, a fifth color filter, and an infrared light-pass filter are arranged in an array form.

Description

Color Filter Arrays and Image Sensors Using the Same

The present invention relates to a color filter array having a novel structure and an image sensor using the same.

In general, an image sensor is a semiconductor device that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and a charge couple device (CCD) image sensor and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor are widely used. It is utilized. The image sensor uses a color filter array (CFA) implemented in red, green, blue, and the like to realize color.

1 exemplarily illustrates a Bayer pattern of a commonly used color filter array.

The minimum repeating unit of the Bayer pattern shown in FIG. 1 commonly includes two rows and two columns, that is, an array structure of 2 × 2.

In the Bayer pattern, the red filter (R), the green filter (G), and the blue filter (B) have a ratio of 1: 2: 1. In the Bayer pattern, a red filter (R) and a blue filter (B) are disposed in a diagonal direction, and two green filters (G) are disposed in a diagonal direction crossing the blue filter (R) and a blue filter (B).

The infrared light input to the color filter array to which the Bayer pattern as shown in FIG. 1 is applied may be utilized as important image information when photographing a night camera. However, when photographing the daytime camera, infrared light must be blocked because color information is distorted by infrared light.

In order to solve this problem, conventionally, a filter that passes infrared rays or a filter that blocks infrared rays is selectively added between the camera lens and the image sensor.

However, adding components, such as an infrared pass filter or an infrared cut filter, has the disadvantage of complicated camera manufacturing process and increased production cost.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a color filter array capable of selectively and easily generating color signals including an infrared signal and color signals from which infrared signals have been removed without an additional infrared pass filter or an infrared cut filter in addition to the color filter array, and a color thereof. An image sensor using a filter array is provided.

In the present invention, the color filter array includes color filters and infrared filters (infrared pass filter, infrared cut-off filter) and appropriately arranges them so that the infrared rays in the color signals can be removed without additional infrared pass filter or infrared cut filter in addition to the color filter array. Allows you to selectively remove the signal.

The present invention can selectively remove infrared signals from color signals without additional infrared pass filter or infrared cut filter in addition to the color filter array.

1 illustrates a pixel array of a commonly used Bayer pattern.

2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a color filter array in the color filter unit of FIG. 1.

4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a configuration for separating infrared signals according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image sensor according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are diagrams exemplarily illustrating configurations of a color filter array in the color filter unit of FIG. 5.

7A and 7B are exemplary views illustrating cross-sectional views of a color filter array cut along AA ′ in FIG. 6A.

8 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of separating infrared signals according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

10A through 10C are diagrams exemplarily illustrating configurations of a color filter array in the color filter unit of FIG. 9.

11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating cross-sectional views of a color filter array cut along AA ′ in FIG. 10A.

12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a color filter array according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A color filter array according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first unit pixel array in which a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter are arranged in an array form; And a second unit pixel array in which the fourth color filter, the fifth color filter, and the infrared pass filter are arranged in an array form.

In the color filter array according to another embodiment of the present invention, a first unit, a second unit, a second unit, a second unit, a third unit, and a fourth unit are arranged in a repeating arrangement. The second color filter and the infrared cut filter is characterized in that overlapping.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a color filter array includes: a first unit pixel array in which a first color filter, a second color filter, and a first infrared light pass filter are arranged in an array; And a second unit pixel array in which the third color filter, the fourth color filter, and the second infrared pass filter are arranged in an array form.

An image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a color filter and an infrared pass filter arranged in an array, and a color filter array for filtering incident light to output color signals and infrared signals including infrared rays; And an image processor for selectively removing infrared components from the color signals using the infrared signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image sensor includes: a color filter array configured to filter incident light to output a red signal, a green signal, a blue signal, and an infrared cut green signal; And an image processor extracting an infrared signal using the green signal and the infrared cut green signal, and selectively removing infrared components from the red signal and the blue signal using the extracted infrared signal.

An image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a color filter array that filters incident light to output a red signal, an infrared cut green signal, a blue signal, and an infrared signal; And an image processor for selectively removing infrared components from the red signal and the blue signal using the infrared signal, or selectively adding infrared components to the infrared cut green signal.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present application, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function is to interfere with the understanding of an embodiment of the present application, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The image sensor of FIG. 2 includes a color filter unit 100 and an image processor 200.

The color filter unit 100 filters the optical signal input through the lens to filter the color signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs and infrared signals IRs having wavelengths corresponding to the respective color filters. Output

The color filter unit 100 may include a color filter array CFA in which color filters and IR pass filters are arranged in an array. In this case, the color filter filters the optical signal to be input, and is a red signal (Rs + IRs), a green signal (Gs + IRs), and a blue signal, which are color signals including visible light (Rs, Gs, Bs) and infrared signals (IRs). Output (Bs + IRs). An IR pass filter passes light of 650 nm or more, which is an infrared region, from an input optical signal. That is, the infrared pass filter filters the input optical signal and outputs only the infrared signals IRs.

In this embodiment, by placing an infrared pass filter on a portion of the color filter array, the image sensor extracts infrared signals (IRs) in addition to the color signals (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs) from the optical signals received. To print.

The image processor 200 converts the color signals (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs) and infrared signals (IRs) output from the color filter unit 100 into digital signals, and then processes them by processing the respective colors. The visible light signals Rs, Gs and Bs are selectively recovered from the signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs and Bs + IRs. For example, the image processor 200 removes the infrared signals IRs from the color signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs according to the infrared selection signal IRsel, thereby displaying the visible light signals Rs, Gs, Bs) is restored and output, or high-sensitivity color signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs including both infrared signals IRs and visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs are output.

In this case, the infrared selection signal IRsel is a control signal for determining whether or not to include an infrared component in the signal output from the image processor 200. For example, the infrared selection signal IRsel is off during the day to remove the infrared component from the color signals, and on at night to include the infrared component in the color signals.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a color filter array in the color filter unit 100 of FIG. 1 and exemplarily illustrating a structure of a minimum unit array repeatedly arranged in an array form.

Referring to FIG. 3, the color filter array of the color filter unit 100 may include a blue filter in the first unit pixel array 110 and the 2 × 2 Bayer pattern having the same structure as the 2 × 2 Bayer pattern (see FIG. 1). And a second unit pixel array 120 in which an infrared pass filter IR is disposed at the position B). In this case, the first unit pixel array 110 includes a red filter (R) and a blue filter (B) disposed in a diagonal direction, and a 2 × 2 pixel array in which two green filters (G) are disposed in a diagonal direction crossing the red filter (R) and a blue filter (B). It may have a structure. The second unit pixel array 120 has a 2 × 2 pixel array structure in which a red filter R and an infrared ray passing filter IR are disposed in a diagonal direction, and two green filters G are disposed in a diagonal direction crossing the red filter R and an infrared ray passing filter IR. It can have

The array structure of FIG. 3 shows the structure of the smallest unit array of the color filter array used in the color filter unit 100. Two first unit pixel arrays 110 are arranged in a diagonal direction and cross the diagonal direction. As a result, it has a 4 × 4 pixel array structure in which two second unit pixel arrays 120 are arranged. That is, the color filter array of the color filter unit 100 has a structure in which the unit array of FIG. 3 is repeatedly arranged. Comparing the array structure of FIG. 3 to the Bayer pattern of 4 × 4 structure in which Bayer patterns of 2 × 2 structures are repeatedly arranged, in the array structure of FIG. 3, two of the four blue filters B may be infrared ray passing filters (IR). ), These two infrared pass filters (IR) are arranged diagonally.

Among the light input with the same intensity, the light passing through the blue filter is light having a relatively short wavelength, and has a relatively small number of photons. Therefore, the light passing through the blue filter has a small ratio of being electronicized and thus the signal strength is weak (see Equation 1 below). In order to solve this problem, in the present embodiment, some of the blue filters are replaced with an infrared pass filter.

Where E is the energy of one photon, h is Planck's constant, c is the velocity of the photon,

Represents the wavelength of the photon.

The number of photons of light passing through the red filter is greater than the number of photons of light passing through the blue filter, and in a dark environment with low illumination, the light passing through the red filter is more likely to have a greater signal intensity than the light passing through the blue filter. That is, a lot of light energy can be received from the light which passed the red filter. Thus, the red filter is arranged in the same way as in the reference Bayer pattern.

Similarly, blue cones with shorter wavelengths are distributed in human eye cells than red cones with longer wavelengths, so the blue signal is less sensitive than the red signal at resolution. Therefore, even when considering the human recognition characteristics, it is more effective to reduce the distribution ratio of the blue filter than the red filter.

4 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of reconstructing a color signal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

When light is input to the color filter unit 100, the color filter unit 100 filters the color signals A including the infrared signals IRs and the visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs and the infrared signals ( Output B). That is, the color filter unit 100 separately outputs the infrared signal B as well as the color signals A including the infrared signal.

The image processor 200 restores the visible light signal C by converting the color signals A and the infrared signal B into a digital signal, and then calculates a difference between each color signal value and the infrared signal value. That is, the image processor 200 restores the visible light signal C by removing the infrared signal IRs component from each of the color signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs.

As described above, the color filter unit 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention replaces some of the color filters (preferably, blue filters) of the color filters in the color filter array by using an infrared pass filter. Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs) while outputting additional infrared signals (IRs). Therefore, a circuit for processing color signals in the image processor 200 may use a circuit that has been used for a conventional Bayer pattern.

The image sensor of FIG. 5 includes a color filter unit 300 and an image processor 400.

The color filter unit 300 filters the optical signal input through the lens to color signals having a wavelength corresponding to each color filter (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs) and color signals in which infrared rays are blocked. (Visible Light Signal) (In this embodiment, the green visible light signal, Gs) is output.

The color filter unit 300 includes a color filter array CFA, and the color filter array CFA includes infrared cut-off filters disposed at the rear of some of the color filters and color filters arranged in an array form. IR cut filters). At this time, the color filter filters the input optical signal and outputs a red signal (Rs + IRs), a green signal (Gs + IRs), and a blue signal (Bs + IRs), which are color signals including visible and infrared signals. The infrared cut-off filter outputs the green visible light signal Gs that cuts the infrared signals (IRs) from some of the green signals (Gs + IRs) of the color signals (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs) passing through the color filter. . For example, the infrared cut filter filters light of 650 nm or more, which is an infrared region, from the input light. In this case, the infrared cut filter may block all wavelengths of infrared rays, or may block only some wavelengths of infrared rays.

The image processor 400 converts the color signals (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs) and the infrared cut-off color signal (visible light signal) Gs output from the color filter unit 300 into digital signals. These are subjected to signal processing to selectively recover visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs. For example, the image processor 400 extracts the infrared signals IRs according to the infrared selection signal IRsel, and uses the same to extract the infrared signals IRs from the color signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs. Reconstructing and outputting visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs, or high-sensitivity color signals Rs + IRs and Gs + including both infrared signals IRs and visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs. IRs, Bs + IRs). When the image processor 400 intends to output only the visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs, the image processor 400 extracts the infrared signals IRs using the color signals Gs + IRs and the infrared cut-off color signal Gs. Subsequently, the image processor 400 removes the infrared component from the color signals Rs + IRs and Bs + IRs using the infrared signals IRs, and then the signals Rs and Bs and the infrared cut-off color signal Gs. Outputs When the image processor 400 intends to output color signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs including both an infrared signal and a visible light signal, the color signals output from the color filter unit 300 ( Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs) are output as is.

In this case, the infrared selection signal IRsel is a control signal for determining whether or not to include an infrared component in the signal output from the image processor 400. For example, the infrared selection signal IRsel is off during the day to remove the infrared component from the color signals, and on at night to include the infrared component in the color signals.

6A and 6B are diagrams exemplarily illustrating configurations of a color filter array in the color filter unit 300 of FIG. 5.

6A and 6B, the color filter array of the color filter unit 300 includes an infrared cut filter (sIR) at the rear of any one of the green filters G of the 2 × 2 Bayer pattern (see FIG. 1). The unit pixel array 310 is disposed. That is, in the

unit pixel arrays

310 and 320, the red filter R and the blue filter B are disposed in a diagonal direction, and the green filter G and the infrared cut green filter G + sIR are disposed in a diagonal direction crossing the red filter R and the blue filter B. Has a 2 x 2 pixel array structure in which is placed. In this case, the infrared cut green filter G + sIR is a filter in which the green filter G and the infrared cut filter sIR overlap.

The color filter array of the color filter unit 300 may have a structure in which the unit pixel array 310 of FIG. 6A or the unit pixel array 320 of FIG. 6B is repeatedly arranged. Alternatively, the color filter array of the color filter unit 300 may have a structure in which the unit pixel array 310 of FIG. 6A and the unit pixel array 320 of FIG. 6B are alternately arranged.

7A and 7B illustrate cross-sectional views of color filter arrays cut along lines A-A 'and B-B' in FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the color filter array of the color filter unit 300 includes a substrate 350, a first filter layer 360, and a second filter layer 370.

The first filter layer 360 is positioned on the substrate 350 and includes an infrared cut filter sIR and a buffer layer 360a. Here, the infrared cut filter sIR is disposed below some of the green filters G among the green filters G of the second filter layer 370. For example, the infrared cut filter sIR is positioned under one of the two green filters G in each unit pixel array 310. The buffer layer 360a is disposed in the remaining area in which the infrared cut filter sIR is not disposed in the first filter layer 360.

The second filter layer 370 is positioned above the first filter layer 360 and includes color filters R, G, and B. In this case, the color filters R, G, and B are arranged in the same structure as the Bayer pattern of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 7A, the top surface of the second filter layer 370 is flattened, but some color filters may be formed to protrude.

Compared to the color filter array of FIG. 7A, the color filter array of FIG. 7B has no buffer layer 360a. That is, in the color filter array of FIG. 7B, the color filter G and the infrared cut filter sIR overlap the upper portion of the substrate 350 only at the position where the infrared cut filter sIR is disposed. Only corresponding color filters are formed on the 350.

8 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of restoring an infrared signal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

When light is input to the color filter unit 300, the color filter unit 300 filters the color signals A and the infrared signals including the infrared signals IRs and the visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs. The blocked visible light signal C is output. In this case, the color signals A are signals passing only the color filter, and the visible light signal C is signals passing through the color filter and the infrared cut filter.

The image processor 400 restores the infrared signals IRs by calculating a difference between the value of the green signal Gs + IRs and the value of the visible light signal C among the color signals A. FIG. That is, the image processor 400 may have a color filter G having the same color as that of the color filter G in which the infrared cut filter sIR is superimposed among the color signals A (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs). The value of the infrared signal IRs is determined by calculating the difference between the color signal (Gs + IRs) transmitted through) and the visible light signal (C) (Gs) transmitted through the infrared cut filter (IR). Thereafter, the image processor 400 calculates a difference between the values of the color signals Rs + IRs and Bs + IRs and the values of the infrared signals IRs, thereby displaying the visible light signal C transmitted through the infrared cut filter sIR ( Visible light signals Rs and Bs for color signals other than Gs) may be recovered.

As such, in the present embodiment, only one of the color signals transmitted through the two color filters of the same color passes through the infrared cut filter again, and then extracts the infrared signal using the difference between the signals. Therefore, the infrared cut filter is disposed to overlap with any one of the green filters G having two identical color filters in the unit pixel array.

In this embodiment, compared to the above-described first embodiment, both the infrared information and the visible light information can be obtained while making the unit pixel array smaller. In addition, the unit pixel array of the present exemplary embodiment may have a similar resolution to that of the Bayer pattern because the structure of the unit pixel array is similar to the Bayer pattern.

The image sensor of FIG. 9 includes a color filter unit 500 and an image processor 600.

The color filter unit 500 filters the optical signal input through the lens to color signals including infrared signals (Rs + IRs and Bs + IRs), infrared signals (IRs), and color signals from which infrared signals are blocked (visible light). Signal) (Gs) is output.

The color filter unit 500 includes a color filter array CFA, and the color filter array CFA includes a color filter arranged in an array form, an IR pass filter, and a specific color among the color filters. Infrared cut filters (IR cut filters) disposed behind the filters (in this embodiment, green filters). At this time, the color filter filters the input optical signal and outputs a red signal (Rs + IRs), a green signal (Gs + IRs), and a blue signal (Bs + IRs), which are color signals including visible and infrared signals. The infrared pass filter outputs only infrared signals IRs from the input optical signal. The infrared cut filter filters the infrared signals (IRs) in specific color signals (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs) that pass through the color filter (in this embodiment, all green signals (Gs + IRs)). ), A color signal (visible light signal) Gs is cut out.

The image processor 600 converts the color signals (Rs + IRs, Bs + IRs), infrared signals (IRs), and infrared cut-off color signals (visible light signals) (Gs) output from the color filter unit 500 into digital signals. These are then subjected to signal processing to selectively recover visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs.

For example, the image processor 600 outputs only visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs from which infrared components have been removed, or high sensitivity color signals including both an infrared signal and a visible light signal according to the infrared selection signal IRsel. Outputs (Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, Bs + IRs). When the image processor 600 intends to output only the visible light signals Rs, Gs, and Bs, the infrared signal is removed from the color signals Rs + IRs and Bs + IRs using the infrared signals IRs, and then the signal is removed. (Rs, Bs) and infrared cut-off color signal (Gs) are output. In addition, when the image processing unit 600 intends to output color signals Rs + IRs, Gs + IRs, and Bs + IRs including both an infrared signal and a visible light signal, the infrared cut-off color using infrared signals IRs. After adding the infrared components IRs to the signal Gs, the signals Gs + IRs and the color signals Rs + IRs and Bs + IRs are output.

10A to 10C are diagrams exemplarily illustrating configurations of a color filter array used in the color filter unit 500 of FIG. 9, and exemplarily illustrating an arrangement structure of a minimum unit repeatedly arranged in an array form. to be.

The color filter arrays of FIGS. 10A to 10C include color filters R and B, infrared cut color filters G + sIR, and infrared pass filters IR arranged in an array. In this case, the infrared cut-off color filter G + sIR is a filter in which the color filter and the infrared cut-off filter are overlapped. In the present exemplary embodiment, all the green filters G overlap the infrared cut-off filter sIR. In addition, infrared pass filters IR are disposed in a portion of the color filter array.

The configuration of the color filter arrays of FIGS. 10A to 10C will be described in more detail as follows.

First, referring to FIG. 10A, the color filter array includes a first unit pixel array 510 and a first unit in which an infrared cut green filter G + sIR is formed at positions of all green filters G in a 2 × 2 Bayer pattern. The pixel array 510 includes a second unit pixel array 520 in which an infrared pass filter IR is disposed at a position of the blue filter B. FIG. In this case, the infrared cut green filter G + sIR is a filter in which the green filter G and the infrared cut filter sIR overlap. The first unit pixel array 510 has a 2 × 2 pixel in which a red filter R and a blue filter B are disposed in a diagonal direction, and two infrared blocking green filters G + sIR are disposed in a diagonal direction intersecting the red filter R and a blue filter B. It may have an array structure. The second unit pixel array 520 has a red filter (R) and an infrared ray passing filter (IR) arranged in a diagonal direction, and 2 x 2 in which two infrared blocking green filters (G + sIR) are arranged in a diagonal direction crossing the red filter (R) and an infrared ray passing filter (IR). It may have a pixel array structure.

The array structure of FIG. 10A is an exemplary minimum unit array structure of the color filter array used in the color filter unit 500, wherein two first unit pixel arrays 510 are disposed in a diagonal direction and cross diagonally. Has a 4 × 4 pixel array structure in which two second unit pixel arrays 520 are disposed. The color filter array of the color filter unit 500 may have a structure in which the unit arrays of FIG. 10A are repeatedly arranged.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the color filter array may include a third unit pixel in which a blue filter B is formed at a red filter R position in the second unit pixel array 520 and the second unit pixel array 520 of FIG. 10A. Array 530. The third unit pixel array 530 has a blue filter B and an infrared ray passing filter IR arranged in a diagonal direction, and 2 X 2 in which two infrared blocking green filters G + sIR are arranged in a diagonal direction crossing the blue filter B and an infrared ray passing filter IR. It may have a pixel array structure.

The array structure of FIG. 10B is another exemplary minimum unit array structure of the color filter array used in the color filter unit 500, wherein two second unit pixel arrays 520 are disposed in a diagonal direction and cross diagonally. Has a 4 × 4 pixel array structure in which two third unit pixel arrays 530 are disposed. The color filter array of the color filter unit 500 may have a structure in which the unit arrays of FIG. 10B are repeatedly arranged.

The color filter array of FIG. 10C, like the color filter array of FIG. 10B, includes a second unit pixel array 520 and a third unit pixel array 530. However, in the color filter array of FIG. 10C, the positions of the second unit pixel array 520 and the third unit pixel array 530 are opposite to the color filter array of FIG. 10B.

The array structure of FIG. 10C may be another exemplary minimum unit array structure of the color filter array used in the color filter unit 500.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the color filter array of the color filter unit 500 includes a substrate 550, a first filter layer 560, and a second filter layer 570.

The first filter layer 560 is positioned on the substrate 550 and includes an infrared cut filter sIR and a buffer layer 560a. Here, the infrared cut filter sIR and the buffer layer 560a are alternately arranged. The infrared cut filter sIR is disposed under all of the green filters G of the second filter layer 570. The buffer layer 560a is disposed in the remaining area of the first filter layer 560 where the infrared cut filter sIR is not disposed.

The second filter layer 570 is positioned above the first filter layer 560 and includes color filters R, G, and B and infrared pass filters IR.

11A illustrates a case where the top surface of the second filter layer 570 is flattened, some color filters may be formed to protrude.

The color filter array of FIG. 11B has no buffer layer 560a compared to the color filter array of FIG. 11A. That is, in the color filter array of FIG. 11B, the color filter G and the infrared cut filter sIR overlap the upper portion of the substrate 550 only at the position where the infrared cut filter sIR is disposed. Only corresponding color filters are formed on the 550.

The image sensor according to the third embodiment of the present invention has an advantage that the visible light signal for the green filter G can be reproduced in the same manner as the conventional commercial image sensor.

In addition, in order to obtain the red visible light signal Rs and the blue visible light signal Bs, the infrared signals IRs are applied to the color signals Rs + IRs and Bs + IRs transmitted through the red filter R and the blue filter B. You have to go through the process of removing it. However, when an error occurs when removing the infrared signals IRs, there is a problem that image quality characteristics may be degraded than conventional commercial image sensors. However, in the color filter array illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10C, since the green filter G is disposed more than the red filter R and the blue filter B, the portion where the green filter G contributes to the overall resolution is large. In addition, resolution degradation that may occur in the process of separating the IR signals may be minimized.

In the color filter array of FIG. 12, a white filter W is disposed at a position of the green filter G in the color filter array of FIG. 3. That is, in this embodiment, the green filter G is not used, and the white filter W is used instead.

That is, in the color filter array of FIG. 12, the first unit pixel array 130 has a red filter R and a blue filter B disposed in a diagonal direction, and two white filters W in a diagonal direction intersecting with the red filter R and the blue filter B. FIG. Have a 2 x 2 pixel array structure in which they are arranged. In addition, the second unit filter array 140 has a red filter (R) and an infrared ray passing filter (IR) disposed in a diagonal direction, and 2 x 2 pixels in which two white filters (W) are disposed in a diagonal direction crossing the filter. It has an array structure.

In order to produce an image, a red signal, a green signal, and a blue signal are required. Since the green filter is not used in this embodiment, the green signal G is extracted from the white signal passing through the white filter W. That is, the white signal is a combination of the red signal, the green signal, and the blue signal (white signal = red signal + green signal + blue signal), so the red and blue signals are removed from the white signal (green signal = white signal-red). Signal to blue signal) to obtain a green signal. At this time, the red signal and the blue signal use the color signal transmitted through the red filter (R) and the blue filter (B), respectively.

As such, the reason why the white filter is used instead of the green filter is that the white filter has up to three times more light than the green filter. Therefore, the image may be captured more brightly and clearly even at night.

In the above-described embodiments, the

color filter units

100, 300, and 500 have been described as including a color filter array, but the color filter unit and the color filter array may have the same configuration. That is, a color filter array can be used as the color filter portion.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present application, and those skilled in the art to which the present application pertains may various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present application.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present application are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present application but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present application is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present application should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can selectively remove the infrared signal from the color signals without the addition of an infrared pass filter or an infrared cut filter in addition to the color filter array, it is possible to simplify the camera configuration and reduce the manufacturing cost using the same .

Claims

A first unit pixel array in which the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter are arranged in an array; And

And a second unit pixel array in which the fourth color filter, the fifth color filter, and the infrared pass filter are arranged in an array form.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first unit pixel array

The first color filter and the third color filter are disposed in a diagonal direction, and have a 2 × 2 pixel array structure in which the two second color filters are disposed in a diagonal direction crossing the color filter;

The second unit pixel array

And a second X 2 pixel array structure in which the fourth color filter and the infrared ray pass filter are disposed in a diagonal direction and two fifth color filters are arranged in a diagonal direction crossing the fourth color filter and the infrared ray passing filter.
The method of claim 2,

The first color filter and the fourth color filter are red filters,

The second color filter and the fifth color filter are green filters,

And the third color filter is a blue filter.
The method of claim 2,

The first color filter and the fourth color filter are red filters,

The second color filter and the fifth color filter are white filters,

And the third color filter is a blue filter.
The method of claim 2,

The first color filter and the fourth color filter are red filters,

The second color filter and the fifth color filter are infrared cut green filters,

And the third color filter is a blue filter.
The method of claim 5, wherein the infrared cut green filter

Color filter array, characterized in that the green filter and the infrared cut filter formed to overlap.
The method of claim 1,

And the first unit pixel array and the second unit pixel array are alternately and repeatedly arranged.
The method of claim 1,

Characterized in that the minimum unit array having a 4 × 4 pixel array structure in which two first unit pixel arrays are arranged in a diagonal direction and two second unit pixel arrays are arranged in a diagonal direction that intersects the first unit pixel arrays is arranged repeatedly. Color filter array.
The minimum unit array in which the first color filter, the second color filter, the third color filter and the fourth color filter are arranged in an array form is repeatedly arranged,

The third color filter is the color filter array, characterized in that the second color filter and the infrared cut filter overlap.
The method of claim 9, wherein the first color filter to the fourth color filter

The first color filter and the fourth color filter are arranged in a diagonal direction, and the second color filter and the third color filter are arranged in a diagonal direction that intersects the second color filter and the fourth color filter. Color filter array.
A first unit pixel array in which the first color filter, the second color filter, and the first infrared pass filter are arranged in an array; And

And a second unit pixel array in which the third color filter, the fourth color filter, and the second infrared pass filter are arranged in an array.
The method of claim 11, wherein the first unit pixel array

The first color filter and the first infrared filter is disposed in a diagonal direction, and has a 2 X 2 pixel array structure in which the two second color filters are arranged in a diagonal direction crossing the first color filter and the first infrared filter,

The second unit pixel array

The color filter array having a 2 × 2 pixel array structure in which the third color filter and the second infrared ray pass filter are disposed in a diagonal direction and two fourth color filters are arranged in a diagonal direction crossing the second color filter and the second infrared filter. .
The method of claim 12,

The first color filter is a red filter,

The second color filter and the fourth color filter are infrared cut green filters,

And the third color filter is a blue filter.
The method of claim 13, wherein the infrared cut green filter

Color filter array, characterized in that the green filter and the infrared cut filter formed to overlap.
The method of claim 11,

And the first unit pixel array and the second unit pixel array are alternately and repeatedly arranged.
The method of claim 11,

Characterized in that the minimum unit array having a 4 × 4 pixel array structure in which two first unit pixel arrays are arranged in a diagonal direction and two second unit pixel arrays are arranged in a diagonal direction that intersects the first unit pixel arrays is arranged repeatedly. Color filter array.
A color filter array in which color filters and an infrared pass filter are arranged in an array form and filter incident light to output color signals and infrared signals including infrared rays; And

And an image processor configured to selectively remove infrared components from the color signals using the infrared signal.
A color filter array filtering the incident light to output a red signal, a green signal, a blue signal, and an infrared cut green signal; And

And an image processor configured to extract an infrared signal using the green signal and the infrared cut green signal, and then selectively remove infrared components from the red signal and the blue signal using the extracted infrared signal.
A color filter array which filters the incident light to output a red signal, an infrared cut green signal, a blue signal, and an infrared signal; And

And an image processor configured to selectively remove infrared components from the red signal and the blue signal using the infrared signal, or selectively add infrared components to the infrared cut green signal.