Solid-State Imaging Electrode Potential Control for Low-Light Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state imaging devices face challenges in detecting motion quickly and accurately, especially in low-light conditions, due to excessive noise and discrete signals, which hinder efficient charge distribution and accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state imaging device with a photoelectric converter and multiple charge accumulation portions, where the drive voltage applied to each second electrode is controlled to become the lowest potential relative to the charges, allowing for sequential and optimal distribution and accumulation of photo carriers, even in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transistors are used to control charge distribution in each capacitor, then charge distribution is achievable, but noise becomes excessively large when objects are dark and signals are discrete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes transistors from the charge distribution control mechanism and replaces them with electrode potential control. By extracting the transistor component, the noise source is eliminated while maintaining the ability to distribute charges through direct electrostatic control of the electrodes connected to capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the transistor-based electronic control system with an electrostatic field-based control system. Instead of using transistor switching to control charge flow, the invention uses potential differences applied to electrodes to directly control charge distribution, substituting a noisier electronic control mechanism with a quieter electrostatic field mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If multiple capacitors are used for charge accumulation, then motion detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charge accumulation function into a single shared capacitor structure that serves all electrodes, rather than providing separate capacitors for each electrode. This merging of resources maintains the motion detection capability through temporal sequencing while reducing the overall device complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic sequential switching of electrode potentials to achieve charge distribution over time. By applying potentials to electrodes in a sequential, periodic manner, the system can direct charges to different regions at different times, maintaining spatial resolution capability without requiring simultaneous multiple independent accumulation paths.
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 enables effective accumulation and distribution of photo carriers without noise interference, enhancing motion detection speed and accuracy even when capturing dark objects, thereby improving the device's performance in real-time applications.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric converter including a photoelectric conversion film that generates charges by incidence of light
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric converter including a photoelectric conversion film, a first electrode arranged on one surface side of the photoelectric conversion film, and a plurality of second electrodes arranged on the other surface side of the photoelectric conversion film, a plurality of charge accumulation portions each connected to corresponding one of the plurality of second electrodes, an output unit that outputs a plurality of signals each corresponding to an amount of charges accumulated in each of the plurality of charge accumulation portions, and a control unit that individually controls a drive voltage applied to each of the plurality of second electrodes. The control unit controls the drive voltage applied to each of the second electrodes such that, in an accumulation period of charges of one frame, each of the second electrodes sequentially becomes the lowest potential relative to the charges of the second electrodes.