Image Sensor Readout Circuit Border Buffering for Parallel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing readout circuits for image sensors process images in parallel, leading to edge artifacts when combining independently processed parts, which degrade image quality, especially at high resolutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that apply digital-to-analog conversion and store border area pixels in a buffer, allowing both processing chains to access these pixels, reducing edge artifacts by providing redundancy and enabling correct neighboring pixel operations, thus improving image processing speed and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the captured image is processed in two independent parts in parallel, then the processing speed is doubled, but edge artifacts appear between the two parts degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into multiple parts that can be processed in parallel by separate processing chains, increasing overall processing speed while maintaining the ability to handle high-resolution images efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
A border area is introduced between independently processed image parts, containing pixels that are shared between adjacent processing chains. This intermediary region enables correct neighboring pixel operations at boundaries, preventing edge artifacts while maintaining parallel processing benefits
2Productivity
If electronic components are used in the readout circuit, then image processing can be performed, but the processing speed is limited by component capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The processing function is segmented into multiple independent processing chains that operate in parallel. Each chain handles a portion of the image, allowing the system to achieve higher overall processing throughput while each individual chain operates within the capabilities of available electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple processing chains share common components such as the digital-to-analog converter and output interface, allowing these components to serve multiple functions and process multiple image parts simultaneously, thereby increasing effective processing speed without requiring proportional increases in component count
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 increases processing speed and reduces edge artifacts, allowing for high-quality image display without degradation, even when processing multiple parts of an image in parallel, while maintaining the same electronic component limitations.
Implementation Method 1
converted pixels are obtained by applying a digital-to-analog conversion to the pixels in the captured image
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for reading a captured image, with the captured image comprising at least first and second parts and a border area positioned between the first and second parts. Converted pixels are obtained by applying digital-to-analog conversion to the pixels in the captured image, and the converted pixels corresponding to the border area of the captured image are stored in a buffer. A first set of processed pixels is obtained by applying image processing to the converted pixels corresponding to the first part of the image and to the converted pixels stored in the buffer, and a second set of processed pixels is obtained by applying image processing to the converted pixels corresponding to the second part of the image and to the converted pixels stored in the buffer. A processed image is provided by combining the first and second sets of processed pixels. Also provided is a processing device for reading a captured image.