Image Pickup Device Data Lane Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup devices face challenges in efficiently reducing data transmission power consumption while maintaining focus detection capabilities, as they often require multiple lanes for data output, leading to increased power usage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a signal processing circuit that reduces color information in frames containing phase difference information, allowing data to be output via a number of lanes that is not the smaller of the lanes required for the original frame and the processed frame, and stopping operations on unused lanes to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data is output via multiple lanes to maintain focus detection capabilities, then focus detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into different regions: a first region with pixels having both image signal output capability and focus detection capability, and a second region with pixels having only image signal output capability. This segmentation allows focus detection to be performed using only the necessary pixels in the first region, reducing the data transmission load and power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the focus detection function from all pixels and concentrates it in the first region. By taking out only the essential pixels needed for focus detection and image formation, the system reduces the number of active transmission lanes required, thereby lowering power consumption while preserving focus detection capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is output via multiple lanes to maintain focus detection capabilities, then focus detection capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into a first region with dual-function pixels (image + focus detection) and a second region with single-function pixels (image only). This segmentation simplifies the overall system architecture by concentrating focus detection functionality in a dedicated region, reducing the complexity of data routing and processing circuits compared to having all pixels perform both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by enabling only the first region pixels to perform focus detection while the second region pixels handle only image signal output. This partial specialization reduces the complexity of the transmission system by activating only the necessary lanes during focus detection operations, rather than requiring all pixels to participate in both functions simultaneously.
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 effectively reduces power consumption by halving the data transfer rate for frames with phase difference information, allowing for efficient focus detection and image pickup with reduced power usage and simplified circuit configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a photodiode PD that performs photoelectric conversion on light flux incident from the object side
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup device includes: a pixel area where each of color image pixels arrayed in a matrix is divided into a plurality of focus detection pixels; a vertical scanning circuit and a device control circuit configured to read from the pixel area a first frame capable of constituting a color image and a second frame including phase difference information; a digital processing circuit configured to reduce color information of the second frame to reduce an amount of data; and an output circuit configured to output the first frame and the second frame via a transmission route with a number of lanes that is not the smaller of a first number-of-lanes and a second number-of-lanes required to output the first frame and the second frame, respectively.