Hexagonal Pixel Radiographic Detector Binning Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiographic imaging systems face challenges in maintaining even resolution in all directions after pixel binning, particularly with hexagonal shaped pixels, as unevenness in pixel positions can occur, affecting image quality and frame rate.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic imaging system with a configuration of hexagonal shaped pixels arranged in a honeycomb pattern, where pixel groups are combined using specific scan lines and TFT switches to ensure even resolution before and after binning, allowing for simultaneous reading and combining of charges, thereby maintaining image quality and increasing frame rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixel size is reduced to increase resolution, then resolution is improved, but sensitivity drops due to proportional relationship to surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pixels into pixel groups (e.g., 2x2=4 pixels) and performs binning to sum their charges. This merging approach maintains the high resolution achieved by small pixel sizes while recovering sensitivity by aggregating the signal from multiple pixels, directly resolving the contradiction between resolution improvement and sensitivity loss.
2Measurement precision
If hexagonal shaped pixels are used to achieve high resolution in horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions, then resolution is improved, but unevenness in pixel positions occurs after binning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally introduces asymmetric dummy pixels around the central pixel in each pixel group. This asymmetric arrangement compensates for the positional unevenness that would naturally occur when binning hexagonal pixels, ensuring that the center of gravity of the binned pixel group aligns properly with the central pixel position, thus maintaining resolution evenness in all directions.
3Productivity
If pixel binning is performed to maintain high frame rate in video imaging, then productivity is improved, but resolution may be degraded due to pixel position unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary arrangement of pixel groups with dummy pixels before the actual binning operation. By pre-configuring the pixel groups with appropriate dummy pixels in place, the system ensures that when binning is executed for high frame rate video imaging, the resolution evenness is already guaranteed, thus allowing fast frame rates without resolution degradation.
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
The system achieves even resolution in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions both before and after binning, enhancing image quality and enabling high frame rates in video imaging while maintaining sensitivity, thus addressing the issue of uneven pixel positions and resolution loss.
Implementation Method 1
direct-conversion-type in which radiation is directly converted into charges in a semiconductor layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a radiographic image detector that may maintain even resolution in 6 directions before and after 3-pixel binning process or 4-pixel binning process. A radiation detector is disposed with plural pixels that have hexagonal shaped pixel regions, arrayed in a honeycomb pattern. Scan lines connected to TFT switches in each of the pixels are disposed one for each of the pixel rows. Grouped scan lines are also disposed one for each of the pixel rows for reading and combining 3 pixels or 4 pixels worth of charges at the same timing for plural pixel groups, each configured from 3 pixels or 4 pixels in a radiation detection element. ON signals are simultaneously sent by the grouped scanned lines to the TFT switches to perform 3-pixel binning or 4-pixel binning.