Image Sensor Binning Sampling Unit Analog-to-Digital Converter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image sensors, particularly CMOS image sensors, require a separate memory for binning mode operations after analog-to-digital conversion, leading to increased sensor size and potential inefficiencies in data processing.

Innovation Solution

An image sensor design that includes a pixel array with a binning sampling unit capable of averaging signals from multiple unit pixels with different exposure times, eliminating the need for separate memory by performing weighted averaging before analog-to-digital conversion, and incorporating a variable amplifying unit for signal amplification with different gains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate memory is used for storing outputs of unit pixels in binning mode, then the binning operation can be performed, but the size of the image sensor increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinning mode capabilityVSAvoidimage sensor size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the binning operation with the analog-to-digital converter by integrating a summation unit directly into the ADC structure. Multiple unit pixel outputs are summed within the ADC before conversion, eliminating the need for separate memory storage and reducing overall sensor size while maintaining binning functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a summation unit as an intermediary component between the unit pixels and the analog-to-digital converter. This summation unit performs the binning operation by summing multiple unit pixel outputs before they enter the ADC, serving as a mediator that enables binning without requiring separate memory

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If binning is performed after analog-to-digital conversion, then the conversion process is simplified, but the data processing rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion process complexityVSAvoiddata processing rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the binning summation operation before the analog-to-digital conversion process. By pre-summing the unit pixel outputs in analog form and then converting the summed signal, the system maintains high data processing rates while keeping the conversion process relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic binning capability where the summation unit can selectively sum outputs from different numbers of unit pixels (e.g., 2×2, 4×4, or other configurations). This dynamic flexibility allows the system to optimize between processing rate and conversion complexity based on operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9456160B2Image sensor

Publication Date: 2016.09.27 DB GLOBALCHIP CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an image sensor. The disclosed image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix form having rows and columns, a binning sampling unit configured to output a binning sampling signal according to an average of signals from two or more unit pixels selected from among the unit pixels of each of the columns, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the binning sampling signal to a digital signal. The selected unit pixels have different exposure times.