Solid-State Imaging Device Noise Suppression via Timing Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Noise from focus detection rows superimposes on imaging signals in solid-state imaging devices, degrading image quality due to overlapping reset and readout operations with imaging rows.
Innovation Solution
The solid-state imaging device performs independent image capture and focus detection scans, ensuring that reset operations on focus detection rows do not overlap with charge transfer periods of neighboring imaging rows, using a scanning circuit to manage these operations and minimize noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If both image capture scan and focus detection scan are performed simultaneously, then productivity is improved by acquiring both imaging signals and focus detection signals efficiently, but noise superimposition occurs on imaging signals due to overlapping reset and readout operations
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into imaging rows and focus detection rows, allowing independent scanning operations. The scanning circuit performs image capture scan on imaging rows and focus detection scan on focus detection rows separately, preventing noise superimposition while maintaining efficient simultaneous operation of both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning circuit dynamically controls the timing of reset and readout operations for different row types. By making the operation timing flexible and adaptable, the circuit ensures that focus detection row operations do not overlap with imaging row charge transfer periods, eliminating noise interference while preserving high productivity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If reset operation on focus detection rows is performed independently, then noise interference on imaging rows is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional timing control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning circuit merges the control of reset and readout operations for both imaging rows and focus detection rows into a single integrated circuit. This unified approach manages timing for all row types simultaneously, reducing the need for separate control circuits and minimizing overall device complexity while still preventing noise interference
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 effectively suppresses noise superimposition, enhancing image quality by isolating the timing of focus detection row operations from imaging row operations, thereby improving signal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of pixels including a plurality of photoelectric converters that generate charges by photoelectric conversion
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging device includes pixels forming pixel rows, and a scanning circuit that performs a reset operation of a photoelectric converter and a readout operation of a pixel signal based on charges generated by the photoelectric converter including charge transfer from the photoelectric converter to the holding unit. The pixel rows include imaging rows and focus detection rows. The scanning circuit performs an image capture scan of the imaging rows and a focus detection scan of the focus detection rows, independently, such that signals of the focus detection rows are output after signals from the imaging rows. The scanning circuit performs the focus detection scan such that the reset operation on the focus detection row does not overlap with a charge transfer period on an imaging row belonging to a unit pixel row neighboring a unit pixel row to which a focus detection row under the reset operation belongs.