Image Sensor Distance Measuring Variable Voltage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current image sensors and distance measuring sensors face challenges in enhancing image quality and complexity, particularly in effectively calculating distances and amplifying signals for accurate long-distance measurements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a distance measuring sensor with a light emitter, pixel array, and processing circuitry that includes a variable voltage source. The pixel array features a photo diode with a substrate doped with a first impurity and a doping region doped with a second impurity, allowing the sensor to apply different voltages based on calculated distance modes, thereby enhancing image quality and complexity by amplifying charges for long-distance measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed voltage is applied to the photo diode, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality and measurement accuracy for long distances deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed voltage system to a variable voltage system. The voltage applied to the photo diode is dynamically adjusted based on the calculated distance mode (first voltage for long distance, second voltage for short distance), enabling the system to adapt to different measurement requirements and improve accuracy without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the photo diode based on distance mode. By switching between first voltage (for long distance measurement) and second voltage (for short distance measurement), the system optimizes charge amplification for different measurement ranges, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If no voltage amplification is applied, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect long-distance objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a variable voltage source that provides different voltage levels based on distance mode. This enables the photo diode to operate in different amplification states, improving long-distance detection capability while keeping the voltage source complexity manageable through simple switching control
3Measurement precision
If a single voltage level is used for all distances, then the ease of operation is improved, but the image quality for different distance ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage level dynamic rather than static. The voltage automatically adjusts based on the calculated distance mode, improving image quality for different distance ranges while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adaptation without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the calculated distance information to determine the appropriate voltage level. The processing circuitry feeds back the distance calculation result to control the voltage source, creating a closed-loop system that automatically optimizes image quality based on actual measurement conditions
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 enables improved image quality and complexity by allowing the sensor to perform both short and long-distance measurements efficiently, with the ability to amplify signals for accurate long-distance sensing, thus overcoming previous limitations in image sensor technology.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric conversion unit that includes a substrate and a doping region, the substrate being doped with a first impurity and which has a ground voltage, and the doping region being doped with a second impurity different from the first impurity, and the photoelectric conversion unit is configured to convert the second optical signal into an electric signal
Implementation Method 2
a light emitter configured to output a first optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring sensor of an image sensor includes a light emitter configured to output a first optical signal, a pixel array configured to receive a second optical signal caused by reflection of the first optical signal from an object, processing circuitry configured to calculate a distance between the light emitter and the object based on an output of the pixel array, and a variable voltage source, and the processing circuitry is further configured to, control the variable voltage source to apply a first voltage to a first node in response to the calculated distance between the light emitter and the object being larger than a first threshold distance, and control the variable voltage source to apply no voltage to the first node in response to the calculated distance between the light emitter and the object being smaller than the first threshold distance.