Solid-State Image Pickup Element Parallel Signal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state image pickup elements face challenges in high-speed read-out due to the inability to parallelize the transfer of signals from the first signal storage unit to the second signal storage unit during the horizontal blanking period, leading to increased read-out time and chip area requirements.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state image pickup element design that includes multiple first and second signal storage units per vertical output line, allowing selective driving to parallelize the transfer of signals during the second horizontal blanking period, reducing the number of capacitors needed and enabling high-speed read-out without increasing chip area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple first and second signal storage units are provided for each vertical output line to enable parallel transfer, then read-out speed is improved, but chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal storage function is segmented into multiple first signal storage units and second signal storage units connected in series along the vertical output lines. This segmentation allows parallel transfer operations to occur simultaneously across different storage units, improving read-out speed while keeping each individual storage unit compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by utilizing the second horizontal blanking period for signal transfer operations. By stacking operations in both spatial (multiple storage units) and temporal (blanking period) dimensions, the system achieves high-speed read-out without proportionally increasing chip area.
2Device complexity
If signal transfer operations are performed sequentially, then device complexity is reduced, but read-out time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous signal transfer by overlapping the transfer of signals from first signal storage units to second signal storage units with the horizontal transfer period. This continuous operation eliminates idle time and ensures that signal transfer is always in progress, reducing read-out time without requiring complex sequential control.
Solution Approach 2:
Signals are transferred to the second signal storage units during the second horizontal blanking period before the horizontal transfer begins. This preliminary action prepares the signal storage units in advance, allowing the horizontal transfer to start immediately without waiting for signal transfer completion, thus reducing overall read-out time.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of capacitors serving as signal storage units is increased, then signal storage capacity is improved, but chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first signal storage units and second signal storage units serve multiple functions: they store signal charges, enable parallel transfer operations, and utilize the horizontal blanking period for signal preparation. This multi-functionality increases signal storage capacity without requiring additional dedicated components, thereby avoiding chip area increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the signal storage function with the signal transfer function by using the same capacitor structures for both purposes. The first and second signal storage units are integrated into the existing circuit architecture, combining storage and transfer operations in a unified design that avoids additional area consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state image pickup element comprises a plurality of first signal storage units connected to each vertical output line to store a signal transferred from a selected unit cell to each vertical output line, and a plurality of second signal storage units connected to each vertical output line to store the signals transferred from a first number of first signal storage units, wherein the plurality of first signal storage units and the plurality of second signal storage units are selectively driven such that in a period of time for selectively driving the first signal storage unit to store the signal transferred to the vertical output line by driving a signal read-out unit of the selected unit cell, another first signal storage unit connected to the vertical output line and the second signal storage unit to store the signal transferred from the another first signal storage unit are selectively driven.