Image Sensor Voltage Supply Array for Dual Shutter Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image sensors face design complexity and increased cost when attempting to support both rolling shutter and global shutter mechanisms due to differing voltage requirements for comparators, necessitating separate circuits for each mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor design that includes an analog-to-digital converter array connected to a voltage supply array providing a dummy voltage for auto-zero functions, allowing the same circuitry to support both shutter mechanisms by maintaining a stable voltage for comparators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two kinds of comparators and corresponding image processing circuits are used to respectively process image data under rolling shutter mechanism and global shutter mechanism, then the voltage requirements of comparators are met, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single comparator that can function under both rolling shutter and global shutter mechanisms. The comparator is equipped with a voltage supply circuit that can provide different voltages (first voltage for rolling shutter, second voltage for global shutter) based on the operating mode, allowing one comparator to replace what would traditionally require two separate comparators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage supplied to the comparator dynamic rather than fixed. The voltage supply circuit dynamically adjusts the comparator's voltage based on the shutter mechanism being used - providing a first voltage during rolling shutter operation and a second voltage during global shutter operation. This dynamic voltage adjustment enables the single comparator to adapt to different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If two kinds of comparators and corresponding image processing circuits are used to respectively process image data under rolling shutter mechanism and global shutter mechanism, then the voltage requirements of comparators are met, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single comparator that can function under both rolling shutter and global shutter mechanisms. The comparator is equipped with a voltage supply circuit that can provide different voltages (first voltage for rolling shutter, second voltage for global shutter) based on the operating mode, allowing one comparator to replace what would traditionally require two separate comparators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by combining the functions of two separate comparators into a single comparator. The voltage supply circuit merges the capability to provide both first voltage and second voltage to the same comparator, thereby reducing the total number of comparators needed and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If the same comparator is used to process image data under both rolling shutter mechanism and global shutter mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the design difficulty of the comparator increases due to various voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage supply circuit as an intermediary between the control logic and the comparator. This intermediary component handles the complexity of voltage management by automatically providing the appropriate voltage (first or second) to the comparator based on the operating mode, thereby shielding the comparator design from the burden of handling multiple voltage requirements directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage supplied to the comparator dynamic rather than fixed. The voltage supply circuit dynamically adjusts the comparator's voltage based on the shutter mechanism being used - providing a first voltage during rolling shutter operation and a second voltage during global shutter operation. This dynamic voltage adjustment enables the single comparator to adapt to different operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure illustrates an image sensor. The image sensor includes an image sensing array and a voltage supply array. The image sensing array and the voltage supply array are coupled to an analog-to-digital converter array. The image sensing array captures image data. The image sensing array supports one of a rolling shutter mechanism and a global shutter mechanism according to setting. The voltage supply array includes a plurality of voltage supply circuits to supply dummy voltage. During an auto-zero period, the voltage supply array provides the dummy voltage to the analog-to-digital converter array. Pluralities of comparators of the analog-to-digital converter array execute an auto-zero function based on the dummy voltage. After finishing the auto-zero function, the image sensing array outputs the image data to the analog-to-digital converter array. The analog-to-digital converter array makes the image data be digital.