CCD Image Sensor Vertical Binning Transition Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CCD image sensors with Bayer CFA patterns face limitations in color binning techniques, which affect image resolution and readout speed, particularly under low light conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a CCD image sensor with a transition region that separates signal channels into parallel channels and controls the direction of charge packets to facilitate efficient vertical binning of same-color pixels, reducing image resolution by half while increasing readout speed and improving signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If color binning is implemented in CCD image sensors with Bayer CFA patterns, then readout speed increases, but image resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pixel array into multiple independent binning regions, each capable of performing color binning operations separately. This segmentation allows different regions to process different color channels independently, maintaining higher effective resolution while achieving faster readout speeds through parallel processing of binned data
2Reliability
If vertical binning of same-color pixels is performed, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the number of charge packets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges adjacent charge packets containing the same color information into combined charge packets during the binning process. This merging operation reduces the total number of charge packets that need to be transferred and processed, while simultaneously improving the signal-to-noise ratio by combining signals from multiple pixels. The merged packets are then efficiently routed through the CCD structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parallel signal channels are created for binning, then binning flexibility increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of signal channel routing through time-varying control signals applied to the CCD structure. The binning configuration can be changed dynamically by modifying the timing and phasing of control signals, allowing the same physical structure to adapt to different binning patterns (e.g., 2x2, 4x4, or selective binning) without requiring additional hardware complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in nearly a two-fold increase in image readout speed and improved signal-to-noise ratio, particularly under low light conditions, by vertically combining pairs of same-color pixels into single charge packets.
Implementation Method 1
A typical electronic image sensor comprises a number of photodiodes or other photosensitive elements arranged in a two-dimensional array
Implementation Method 2
vertical and horizontal CCDs are used to transfer collected charge from the photodiodes or other photosensitive elements of the pixel array
Data Source
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AI summary
A CCD image sensor comprises photosensitive elements arranged in rows and columns, vertical CCDs each having vertical shift elements associated with respective ones of the photosensitive elements of a corresponding one of the columns, and a horizontal CCD comprising horizontal shift elements. The image sensor further comprises a transition region arranged between the vertical CCDs and the horizontal CCD. The transition region is configured to separate each of a plurality of signal channels provided by respective ones of the vertical CCDs into first and second parallel signal channels and to controllably direct selected ones of the parallel signal channels to the horizontal shift elements of the horizontal CCD in accordance with a designated readout sequence.