Imaging Device Charge Holding Unit Trigger Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in capturing high-speed events accurately due to complexity in device configuration and the need for multiple memories, which increases size and cost, while also risking missed captures of sudden events.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a control unit that manages exposure, charge transfer, and signal readout operations, switching between standby and normal modes based on a trigger signal, allowing for efficient charge holding and reduced complexity in device configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple memories are used to store captured images for high-speed capturing, then the ability to capture events before and after trigger signal is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple memories into a single memory structure. The imaging device uses one memory to store both the captured image data and the trigger signal, eliminating the need for separate memory units. This integration maintains the ability to capture and retrieve images before and after trigger events while reducing device complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The single memory unit in the patent serves multiple functions: storing captured image data, storing trigger signals, and enabling retrieval of both pre-trigger and post-trigger images. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated separate memories, achieving the same reliability without increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple memories are used to store captured images, then the ability to extract images before and after trigger signal is improved, but the system configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple memory functions into a single memory unit that stores both image data and trigger signals. This merging simplifies the system configuration while maintaining the ability to accurately extract images before and after trigger events, as the single memory maintains organized storage of all necessary data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for reliable event capture - a single memory with multi-functional capability - rather than implementing a complex multi-memory system. This extraction of the core function achieves event capture accuracy without the overhead of multiple separate memory units and their associated control circuits.
3Productivity
If continuous capturing is performed only during necessary periods, then the productivity is improved, but the likelihood of missing sudden events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously storing captured images in the memory during the standby period before a trigger signal is received. This pre-storage of image data ensures that when a trigger event occurs, the system has already captured and stored the pre-trigger image, eliminating the risk of missing sudden events while maintaining capturing efficiency during non-critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by continuously writing captured images to memory during the standby period. This continuous storage operation ensures no gaps in capturing potential events, while the system remains ready to immediately output stored images upon receiving a trigger signal, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.
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
Enables accurate capture of high-speed events at the precise timing of a trigger signal without increasing device complexity or size, reducing the likelihood of missing critical moments.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit that generates charges by photoelectric conversion
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit and a charge holding unit and a control unit that performs first control, which causes the pixels to perform an operation that includes an exposure operation of the photoelectric conversion unit, a reset operation of the charge holding unit, and a charge transfer operation from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding unit and updates charges held by the charge holding unit by the reset and charge transfer operations, and second control to read out a signal based on charges held by the charge holding unit from each of the pixels. The control unit repeats the first control at a predetermined cycle without inserting the second control in a first period before a trigger signal is externally input and changes the first control to the second control when the trigger signal is externally input after the first period.