CMOS Sensor Interlaced Preview via Combo Line Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
CMOS sensors face challenges in generating interlaced video frames efficiently, particularly in capturing rapid motion scenes without jagged edges, and existing methods either require high-speed operation or additional hardware like frame buffers or non-traditional color filters, making them impractical.
Innovation Solution
The method involves reading out odd and even combo lines from a sensor array to generate interlaced fields, performing interpolation between adjacent lines to create interpolated lines with RGB color information, eliminating the need for a frame buffer and allowing the use of traditional color filters, enabling the sensor array to operate at normal speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the sensor array captures 60 frames per second to generate interlaced video at 30 fps, then the interlaced video can be generated, but the sensor array must operate at very high speed (1/60th second exposure maximum)
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into odd and even sub-arrays that can be independently read out. This allows the sensor to generate interlaced video fields by reading out odd lines for one field and even lines for the next field, eliminating the need to capture at 60 fps while maintaining 30 fps interlaced output. The segmentation enables parallel processing of odd and even fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the sensor array's readout mode, allowing switching between progressive and interlaced modes. The sensor can dynamically adjust which lines (odd or even) are read out in each frame, enabling flexible interlaced video generation at normal sensor speeds without requiring high-speed operation.
2Productivity
If odd and even fields are captured at different times, then interlaced video can be generated, but jagged edges appear in rapid motion scenes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary interpolation of missing color information within each field before combining odd and even fields. By pre-interpolating RGB color information for all lines in each field using neighboring pixels, the system ensures that when fields are combined, all lines have complete color data, eliminating jagged edges caused by differential timing between field captures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses interpolation to create copies of color information from neighboring pixels to fill in missing data in each line. This copying approach ensures that all lines in both odd and even fields have complete RGB information, allowing seamless combination without visible artifacts or jagged edges in the final interlaced video.
3Speed
If a frame buffer is used to generate odd and even fields from a single frame, then the sensor can operate at lower speed, but added hardware and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the frame buffer component from the system architecture. Instead of using a frame buffer to store and process lines for field generation, the system directly reads out alternating odd and even lines from the sensor array in the appropriate sequence, performing interpolation on-the-fly during the readout process. This removes the hardware complexity while maintaining the ability to generate interlaced fields at normal sensor speeds.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional color filters are used, then the sensor array can be manufactured conventionally, but generating interlaced fields with complete RGB information is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interpolation process as an intermediary step between light capture and field generation. This intermediary process calculates missing RGB color information for each pixel by analyzing neighboring pixels with known color data. This allows traditional color filters to be used while still achieving complete RGB information for all lines in interlaced fields, bridging the gap between conventional manufacturing and advanced interlaced video capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Combo lines having one odd line and one even line are utilized for generating an interlaced preview from an image sensor. Odd combo lines are read out to generate an odd field. Even combo lines are read out to generate an even field. Interpolation is performed on a plurality of odd field lines generated from the plurality of odd combo lines to generate a plurality of odd interpolated lines. Interpolation is performed on a plurality of even field lines generated from the plurality of even combo lines to generate a plurality of even interpolated lines. The interlace preview is generated from the plurality of odd interpolated lines and the plurality of even interpolated lines.