Image Pickup Apparatus Noise Reduction via Light-Shielded Pixel Subtraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses do not adequately address the output operation of light-shielded pixels when effective pixels output signals based on the electric charge of one photoelectric converting unit and the sum of electric charges from multiple units, particularly in configurations with multiple photoelectric converting units under a single microlens.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus with a signal processing unit that calculates differences between signals from effective and light-shielded pixels, where each pixel row includes light-shielded and effective pixels with photoelectric converting units, allowing for the subtraction of noise components from effective pixel signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light-shielded pixels are used to subtract noise from effective pixel signals, then noise reduction is improved, but the output operation becomes complex when multiple photoelectric converting units are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into effective pixels and light-shielded pixels, with each type having a specific output operation. Effective pixels output the sum of electric charges from all photoelectric converting units, while light-shielded pixels output the sum of electric charges from their photoelectric converting units. This segmentation allows noise subtraction while maintaining simple output operations for each pixel type.
2Power
If signals from multiple photoelectric converting units are summed in effective pixels, then signal strength is improved, but the difference calculation between effective and light-shielded pixels becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the pixel array have different functional characteristics. Effective pixels in the opening region collect light and output summed signals from all photoelectric converting units, while light-shielded pixels in the OB region output summed signals without light collection. This local quality differentiation simplifies the overall difference calculation while maintaining strong signals from effective pixels.
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 configuration effectively reduces noise components in the signal output, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of signal processing while minimizing circuit area requirements.
Implementation Method 1
each has one microlens and a plurality of photoelectric converting units. The plurality of photoelectric converting units is disposed to correspond to each one of the microlenses.
Implementation Method 2
A pixel of a row being a part of the plurality of rows is a light-shielded pixel having the plurality of photoelectric converting units shielded from light.
Data Source
AI summary
For each of the signal corresponding to a signal of a photoelectric converting unit being only a part of an effective pixel and the signal corresponding to a signal obtained by adding signals of a plurality of photoelectric converting units, the difference corresponding to the signal corresponding to the signal obtained by adding the signals of the plurality of photoelectric converting units of a light-shielded pixel.