Image Sensor Charge Transfer for High Frame Rate Color Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture devices face challenges in achieving high resolution and high frame rate while maintaining sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), particularly when capturing color moving pictures, as they often require different resolutions and exposure times for different color components, leading to inefficiencies in light usage and potential image deformation.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state image capture device with a shooting control section and image processing section that allows for simultaneous reading of pixel signals from a two-dimensional array of pixels, including multiple banks of charge-coupled devices and charge sensing devices, enabling independent control of frame rates and exposure times for different color components without the need for additional shutter mechanisms, thus optimizing light usage and reducing image deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If different resolutions and exposure times are set for different color components to achieve high resolution and high frame rate, then resolution and frame rate are improved, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases due to insufficient light quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple regions with different exposure times. Specifically, a first region captures images at a first exposure time while a second region captures images at a second exposure time, allowing different color components to be captured with optimized exposure times for their respective requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic exposure time control where exposure times are adjusted based on the specific color component being captured. The system dynamically switches between different exposure time settings for different color components to optimize both frame rate and signal-to-noise ratio.
2Measurement precision
If multiple shutter mechanisms are used to control exposure for different color components, then exposure control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single shutter mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling different regions of the image sensor with different exposure times. This universal shutter replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate shutter mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining precise exposure control for different color components.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism implements local quality control by applying different exposure time settings to different regions of the image sensor. The first region receives a first exposure time while the second region receives a second exposure time, allowing precise exposure control tailored to specific color component requirements without needing multiple shutters.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional shutter mechanisms are added to synchronize exposure for different color components, then exposure synchronization is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
One shutter mechanism is designed to simultaneously control multiple regions of the image sensor, replacing the need for multiple separate shutter mechanisms. This multi-functional shutter achieves exposure synchronization for different color components while maintaining a compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple shutter mechanisms into a single shutter system that controls different regions with different exposure times. By combining these functions, the device achieves exposure synchronization without the space requirements of multiple separate shutters.
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
The solution enables high-resolution, high-frame-rate color moving pictures with improved SNR and reduced image deformation, allowing for smaller device sizes and higher image quality without the need for external shutter mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
using charge-coupled devices to store and transfer electric charges on a pixel-by-pixel basis
Implementation Method 2
a solid-state image sensor with a shooting control section and image processing section that allows for simultaneous reading of pixel signals
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an image sensor includes, a bank 301 of charge-coupled devices, and charge sensing amplifiers 302, each of which transforms electric charges extracted from an associated pixel into an electrical signal. After the electric charges accumulated in every pixel have been extracted to the charge-coupled devices 301 at the same time, a color component with a high resolution is output to a horizontal transfer path 316 via the charge sensing amplifiers 302 and then output to a device outside of the image sensor. Thereafter, pixel signals representing another low-resolution color component are vertically added together on the bank 301 of charge-coupled devices. Those pixel signals are horizontally added together on the horizontal transfer path 316 and output. The image obtained by this image sensor is then input to an image processing section, thereby obtaining an output color image with a high resolution and a high frame rate.