Imaging Control Unit with Variable AD Conversion Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging apparatuses face challenges in enhancing image quality, particularly in achieving uniform focal plane distortion and reducing power consumption while maintaining high frame rates.
Innovation Solution
The imaging control unit includes a first converter and a second converter performing AD conversion operations in different periods, with a controller adjusting the time length of the first conversion period to be shorter than the second, allowing for optimized image capture by varying the scanning and conversion periods based on pixel regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the same conversion period length is used for all pixel regions, then the imaging operation is simple to control, but focal plane distortion uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device divides the pixel array into multiple regions (first region and second region) and applies different conversion period lengths to each region. This segmentation allows the system to optimize focal plane distortion uniformity in specific regions while maintaining manageable control complexity through regional differentiation rather than pixel-by-pixel control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different conversion period characteristics to different spatial regions of the pixel array. The first region uses a first conversion period length while the second region uses a second conversion period length, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific imaging requirements and improving overall focal plane distortion uniformity.
2Productivity
If all pixels perform AD conversion simultaneously, then the frame rate is maximized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device implements periodic action by alternating between different conversion period lengths in different regions across successive frames or time periods. This allows the system to maintain high frame rates through efficient time-multiplexed operation while reducing average power consumption by not continuously operating all pixels at maximum conversion rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the conversion period length based on regional requirements and timing, allowing flexible optimization of both frame rate and power consumption. The controller can adaptively manage when and where to apply different conversion periods, balancing productivity and energy usage in real-time operation.
3Measurement precision
If a longer conversion period is used, then AD conversion precision is improved, but the frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel array into regions with different conversion period requirements. By assigning longer conversion periods only to specific regions where high precision is critical rather than uniformly across all pixels, the system maintains AD conversion precision where needed while preserving overall frame rate through parallel processing in other regions with shorter conversion periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies the principle of partial action by using longer conversion periods only partially (in specific regions) rather than excessively (across all regions). This allows the patent to achieve sufficient AD conversion precision for critical areas while avoiding the frame rate penalty that would result from applying long conversion periods universally.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging control unit of the disclosure includes a first converter that performs analog-digital conversion operation in a first conversion period on the basis of a pixel signal supplied from a first pixel included in a first region of an imaging section, a second converter that performs the analog-digital conversion operation in a second conversion period on a basis of a pixel signal supplied from a second pixel included in a second region that is different from the first region, of the imaging section, and a controller that controls a time length of the first conversion period to become shorter than a time length of the second conversion period.