Leakage Compensation in Image Sensor Pixel Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors experience increased leakage over time, leading to deteriorated detection performance for objects as output signals are sequentially processed.
Innovation Solution
A leakage compensation device and image sensor system that includes a pixel array and detection circuits to detect and compensate for leakage signals, ensuring accurate output of electric signals by row line at preset times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric signals are sequentially output for each row line, then the image sensor can process signals in a systematic manner, but the leakage amount increases and detection performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pixel array into multiple row lines and processes signals row by row in a systematic sequence. This segmentation allows controlled signal output while managing leakage effects within each row, preventing cumulative leakage from degrading overall detection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a reset operation before the capture period to clear any accumulated leakage charges in the pixel circuits. This preliminary action ensures that the pixel circuits start in a clean state, preventing leakage from carrying over between sequential row outputs and maintaining detection accuracy.
2Productivity
If the output signal is output later in the sequence, then more row lines can be processed, but the leakage amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reset operation is performed before the capture period to clear leakage charges in advance. This ensures that even though signals are output sequentially through multiple row lines, each row starts with clean pixel circuits, preventing leakage accumulation from increasing with output sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a leakage compensation mechanism that monitors and corrects for leakage effects in real-time during the sequential output process. This feedback system adjusts the signal output to compensate for any leakage that occurs, maintaining accurate detection performance throughout the entire signal output sequence.
3Reliability
If detection circuits are added to compensate for leakage, then detection performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the detection circuit functionality within the existing pixel circuit structure, combining the photodetector, output circuit, and leakage detection functions into a unified circuit design. This merging approach allows leakage compensation without adding separate external circuits, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit within the pixel circuit automatically detects and compensates for leakage charges without requiring external intervention. The circuit uses its own internal components to monitor and correct leakage, reducing the need for additional external complexity while maintaining high detection performance.
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 system effectively compensates for leakage signals, thereby improving the detection performance for objects by maintaining the integrity of electric signals and preventing loss of image data.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector configured to detect the light
Data Source
AI summary
A leakage compensation device includes a pixel array and a plurality of detection circuits. The pixel array includes a plurality of row lines, each of which includes a plurality of pixel circuits. The pixel array stores electric signals corresponding to light in the plurality of pixel circuits during a capture section, and may sequentially output the stored electric signals for each row line whenever a preset time elapses for each row line during an output section. The plurality of detection circuits detects leakage signals for compensating the outputted electric signals.