Day and night detection based on one or more of illuminant detection, lux level detection, and tiling

A camera mode control system for a camera, comprising:

• a controller,
• memory storing programs for execution by the controller,
• a color sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors, the sensors including first, second and third pixels, each having respective peak responses at different respective visible light frequencies,
• a lens assembly that is configured to focus light on the sensor array, and
• an IR filter that is not interposed between the lens assembly and the sensor array in a night mode;
• the one or more programs including instructions for:
• when the camera mode is the night mode and the sensor is exposed to ambient light via the lens assembly without interference by the IR filter:
• detecting a first light component of the ambient light by averaging output signals from the first pixels;
• detecting a second light component of the ambient light by averaging output signals from the second pixels;
• detecting a third light component of the ambient light by averaging output signals from the third pixels;
• determining based on respective values of the first, second and third light components whether the ambient light is due to other an IR light source;
• detecting the ambient light level;
• based on a determination that the ambient light that is not filtered by the IR filter is due to other than an IR light source and that the ambient light level exceeds a first lux threshold, initiating a change of the camera mode to a day mode;
• and
• based on a determination that the ambient light that is not filtered by the IR filter is due to other than an IR light source and that the ambient light threshold does not exceed the first lux threshold, maintaining the camera in the night mode.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or programs for execution by a camera system including a controller, a color sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors, the sensors including first, second and third pixels, each having respective peak responses at different respective visible light frequencies, a lens assembly that is configured to focus light on the sensor array, and an IR filter that is not interposed between the lens assembly and the sensor array in a night mode, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:

• when the camera mode is the night mode and the sensor is exposed to ambient light via the lens assembly without interference by the IR filter:
• detecting a first light component of the ambient light by averaging output signals from the first pixels;
• detecting a second light component of the ambient light by averaging output signals from the second pixels;
• detecting a third light component of the ambient light by averaging output signals from the third pixels;
• determining based on respective values of the first, second and third light components whether the ambient light is due to other an IR light source;
• detecting the ambient light level;
• based on a determination that the ambient light that is not filtered by the IR filter is due to other than an IR light source and that the ambient light level exceeds a first lux threshold, initiating a change of the camera mode to a day mode;
• and
• based on a determination that the ambient light that is not filtered by the IR filter is due to other than an IR light source and that the ambient light threshold does not exceed the first lux threshold, maintaining the camera in the night mode.