Integrated Color Depth Sensor Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D image sensors face challenges in simultaneously determining color and depth information efficiently, as they require separate pixel arrays and signal control systems for color and depth pixels, leading to complex and resource-intensive designs.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design incorporating a pixel array with both color and depth pixels, utilizing distinct signal line groups for control signals, and a data processing system that integrates an image sensor and processor to manage these pixels, enabling efficient operation and signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pixel arrays and signal control systems are used for color and depth pixels, then color and depth information can be determined simultaneously, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines color pixels and depth pixels into a single integrated pixel array, where each pixel unit contains both color sensing elements (R, G, B) and depth sensing elements. This merging eliminates the need for completely separate pixel arrays while maintaining the capability to determine both color and depth information simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal pixel structure that can perform multiple functions - color detection and depth measurement - within the same pixel unit. The pixel array is designed to handle both color information acquisition and depth information acquisition through a unified architecture, reducing the need for separate specialized systems and thereby lowering overall device complexity while maintaining simultaneous operation capability
2Ease of operation
If separate signal line groups are used for controlling color and depth pixels, then independent control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into distinct signal line groups - a first signal line group for color pixel control and a second signal line group for depth pixel control. This segmentation allows independent control of color and depth pixels while organizing the signal lines in a structured manner within the same pixel array, achieving ease of operation without excessive complexity through systematic organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control architecture by implementing both signal line groups within the same pixel array structure rather than using completely separate physical arrays. This integration allows independent control pathways to coexist in a unified framework, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ease of independent operation for both color and depth pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a unit pixel including a plurality of color pixels with a depth pixel. A first signal line group of first signal lines is used to supply first control signals that control operation of the plurality of color pixels, and a separate second signal line group of second signal lines is used to supply second control signals that control operation of the depth pixel.