Image Sensor Mode Setting via Clock and Start Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors require additional control signals and additional signal lines, leading to increased costs and potential timing deviations when setting modes such as resolution, which complicates the control of shift registers.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor design that uses a fixed-width start signal and clock pulse signal to set specific modes, such as resolution, without requiring additional signal types, by synchronizing channel select switches with the clock pulse signal and utilizing a combination pattern of the clock pulse and start signal to control the connection to a common signal line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional control signals are used to set modes such as resolution, then mode setting capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional signal lines
Solution Approach 1:
The start signal is designed to serve multiple functions: it both initiates the shift register operation and encodes mode information (such as resolution settings) through its pulse width variations. This allows the same signal line to perform both control and configuration functions, eliminating the need for separate mode setting signal lines and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in the start signal (specifically pulse width) to encode different mode information. By varying the duration of the start signal pulse, different resolution modes can be selected without requiring additional control signals. This parameter-based encoding approach allows mode setting capability to be improved while maintaining the same signal line structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the width of the start signal is changed to set resolution, then mode setting is achieved, but timing deviation occurs in controlling the shift registers
Solution Approach 1:
The start signal period is divided into distinct time segments: a fixed timing portion that controls the shift register operation and a variable portion that encodes mode information. By separating the timing-critical function from the information-encoding function, the invention maintains precise timing for shift register control while still allowing mode setting through pulse width variations in the non-critical portion of the signal cycle.
3Measurement precision
If additional control signals are input, then mode setting precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to more complex control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing start signal that is already required for shift register operation to simultaneously carry mode setting information. This self-service approach means that the mode setting function is achieved using resources already allocated for basic operation, eliminating the need for additional control signals and simplifying the overall control interface while maintaining precise mode setting capability.
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 allows for cost-effective mode setting without increasing signal types and reduces timing deviations, enabling multi-level resolution settings and easy operation while minimizing interference with other controls.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photoelectric converting elements for converting light signals into electric signals
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor, a reading device and a method for setting a particular mode are provided. The image sensor comprises a plurality of photoelectric converting elements, for converting optical signals to electric signals; a group of channel select switches, each channel select switch arranged between a charge output unit of each channel select switch and a signal line corresponding to each photoelectric converting element, wherein the group of the channel select switches can be turned on and off sequentially synchronizing with an externally supplied clock pulse signal; and particular mode setting means, wherein when a clock pulse signal and a start signal with a fixed width are input, the particular mode setting means sets a particular mode under a specific combination pattern of the clock pulse signal and the start signal.