Solid-State Imaging Device Wiring Disconnection Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solid-state imaging devices experience resolution loss when row selecting wirings disconnect, leading to defective lines and difficulty in interpolating pixel data, especially in large-area photodetecting sections where disconnections are more probable.

Innovation Solution

A solid-state imaging device with a correction processing section that corrects frame data by using voltage values from neighboring and previous frame data, allowing for higher resolution images even when row selecting wirings are disconnected, without relying on normal line pixel values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the photodetecting section area is increased to improve imaging coverage, then the imaging area is improved, but the probability of wiring disconnection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotodetecting section areaVSAvoidwiring connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The correction processing section performs preliminary detection of wiring disconnections by analyzing pixel data patterns, and prepares correction algorithms in advance. When a disconnection is detected, the system proactively applies interpolation using data from neighboring rows and temporal frames, preventing the disconnection from propagating to affect three rows instead of one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If conventional interpolation methods are used for defective lines, then the processing complexity is reduced, but the image resolution is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection processing complexityVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The correction processing section uses pixel data from temporally adjacent frames as an intermediary to reconstruct defective pixel values. By incorporating temporal information from previous and next frames, the system achieves higher resolution reconstruction without requiring complex spatial interpolation across multiple neighboring pixels, thus maintaining image quality while controlling processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If row selecting wirings are made longer to cover larger areas, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the disconnection probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging coverageVSAvoiddisconnection probability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The correction processing section continuously monitors pixel data for patterns indicating wiring disconnections, such as consistent abnormal values across multiple pixels in a row. When disconnection is detected through this feedback mechanism, the system activates correction algorithms that use temporal and spatial redundancy to reconstruct the affected data, thereby compensating for the increased disconnection probability inherent in longer wirings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enables the production of high-resolution images by effectively correcting pixel data near defective lines, improving image quality compared to conventional techniques.

Implementation Method 1

a photodiode for generating charges of an amount corresponding to an incident light intensity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2315434B1Solid-state imaging device and frame data correcting method
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP2315434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2315434B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2315434B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(i)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device, etc., which makes it possible to obtain an image with higher resolution by properly correcting pixel data even when any one of row selecting wirings is disconnected. A solid-state imaging device (1) comprises a photodetecting section (10), a signal reading-out section (20), a controlling section (30), and a correction processing section (40). In the photodetecting section (10), M×N pixel portions P1,1 to PM,N are two-dimensionally arrayed in a matrix of M rows and N columns, and each of the pixel portions P1,1 to PM,N includes a photodiode and a reading-out switch. Charges generated in each pixel portion Pm,n are inputted into an integrating circuit Sn through a reading-out wiring LO,n, and a voltage value corresponding to the amount of charges is outputted from the integrating circuit Sn. The voltage value from the integrating circuit Sn is outputted to an output wiring Lout through a holding circuit Hn. In the correction processing section (40), correction processing is applied to frame data repeatedly outputted from the signal reading-out section (20), and the frame data after correction is outputted.