Solid-State Image Pickup Signal Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-state image pickup apparatuses require a correction apparatus to synchronize and combine pixel signals of different colors, leading to increased size, manufacturing cost, and power consumption due to cycle deviations in reading cycles of respective colors.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a control circuit to manage reading, storage, and transfer signals for each color pixel, synchronizing the signal output across different exposure cycles, eliminating the need for a separate correction apparatus by integrating a light receiving element, reading gate, former-stage and latter-stage storage units, and amplification transistor to generate and output pixel signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a correction apparatus is provided to correct cycle deviations of pixel signals of different colors, then the pixel signals can be synchronized and combined properly, but the size, manufacturing cost, and power consumption of the image pickup apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cycle correction function from a separate correction apparatus and integrates it into the pixel structure itself. Each pixel is equipped with storage units that hold signal charges for different colors, allowing the pixel to self-correct cycle deviations without requiring external correction hardware. This eliminates the need for a separate correction apparatus while maintaining signal synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage units within each pixel serve multiple functions: they store signal charges for different colors (R, G, B), they enable cycle correction, and they facilitate the combination of multi-color signals. By making the storage units multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate correction apparatus while achieving both signal storage and cycle synchronization.
2Reliability
If a correction apparatus is provided to correct cycle deviations of pixel signals of different colors, then the pixel signals can be synchronized and combined properly, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the correction apparatus functionality with the pixel structure by integrating storage units directly into each pixel. This combination allows the same hardware components to perform both signal storage and cycle correction functions, eliminating the need for separate correction apparatus and thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage units are designed to serve multiple purposes: storing signal charges for different colors and correcting cycle deviations. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and simplifies the manufacturing process, leading to lower manufacturing costs while maintaining signal synchronization capability.
3Reliability
If a correction apparatus is provided to correct cycle deviations of pixel signals of different colors, then the pixel signals can be synchronized and combined properly, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power-consuming correction function from a separate apparatus and relocates it to the pixel level, where it can be performed using the existing storage units. This eliminates the need for additional power-consuming correction hardware while maintaining signal synchronization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage units perform multiple functions including signal storage and cycle correction without requiring additional power-consuming components. By making the storage units multi-functional, the patent achieves signal synchronization while avoiding the increased power consumption that would result from adding a separate correction apparatus.
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 allows for synchronous output of pixel signals across different colors without the need for a correction apparatus, reducing the size, manufacturing cost, and power consumption of the image pickup apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving element, which photoelectrically converts incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a light receiving element, a reading gate, a former-stage storage unit, a latter-stage storage unit, a floating diffusion, an amplification transistor, a reset transistor, and an address transistor. The former-stage storage unit stores a signal charge read from the light receiving element. The latter-stage storage unit stores the signal charge transported from the former-stage storage unit. The floating diffusion converts the signal charge transferred from the latter-stage storage unit into a signal voltage.