Solid-State Image Sensor Alternating Exposure Pixel Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state image sensors face challenges in capturing high-resolution, high-frame-rate moving pictures without compromising image quality, as reducing pixel size and exposure time leads to decreased light quantity and signal noise ratio, and existing techniques suffer from color smearing and motion blur, especially when capturing moving subjects.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state image sensor with alternating pixel groups having different exposure times and frame rates, where first pixel groups capture images in a longer exposure time and second pixel groups capture images in a shorter exposure time, with dedicated read signal lines for each group, allowing for improved image processing to generate high-frame-rate moving pictures with minimized color smearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the area of each pixel is reduced and exposure time is shortened to increase frame rate and resolution, then the frame rate and resolution are improved, but the quantity of light incident on each pixel decreases and the signal noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple groups, where each group is assigned a different exposure time. This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of images with different exposure characteristics, enabling high frame rate processing while maintaining sufficient light quantity for some pixels through longer exposure times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic exposure time control where different pixel groups have different exposure times that can be adjusted based on scene requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt exposure parameters per group, maintaining signal quality while achieving high overall frame rates through parallel processing of multiple exposure groups.
2Manufacturing precision
If the area of each pixel is reduced to increase resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the quantity of light incident on each pixel decreases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pixel array into multiple groups with different exposure times, the patent allows smaller pixels to maintain resolution while certain groups use longer exposure times to accumulate sufficient light, thereby maintaining signal noise ratio despite reduced pixel area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the exposure time parameter for different pixel groups to compensate for the reduced light gathering area of smaller pixels. This parameter adjustment allows small pixels to achieve sufficient signal levels through extended exposure in specific groups, maintaining image quality while preserving high resolution.
3Measurement precision
If longer exposure time is used to ensure sufficient light quantity, then the signal noise ratio is improved, but color smearing and motion blur increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into groups with different exposure times, allowing some groups to use long exposure for high signal quality while other groups use short exposure to capture motion information, thereby reducing color smearing through complementary data from multiple groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching between different exposure time groups, capturing images at multiple time points. This periodic action allows the system to reconstruct high-quality images by combining data from short-exposure groups (which capture motion accurately) and long-exposure groups (which provide sufficient signal).
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 enables the capture of high-resolution, high-frame-rate images with reduced color smearing and motion blur, ensuring sufficient light quantity and improved signal noise ratio, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric transducer and a plurality of transistors to read a signal with a level representing the quantity of electric charge that has been generated by the photoelectric transducer
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an image sensor includes pixels arranged in columns and rows, read signal lines connected to pixels arranged in the row direction. Each pixel is read in either a first exposure time or in a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. Each of a first type of read signal lines is connected to a group of pixels associated with the first exposure time, and each of a second type of read signal lines is connected to a group of pixels associated with the second exposure time. In two vertically adjacent horizontal pixel lines, the first type of read signal line is shared by two horizontally adjacent pixels associated with the first exposure time, and the second type of read signal line is shared by two horizontally adjacent pixels associated with the second exposure time.