Adjusting Exposure Time in Solid-State Imaging Devices via Synchronized Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state electronic imaging devices struggle to control exposure time for different light intensities without modifying their structure, leading to reduced gradation in images due to saturation issues in bright and dark areas.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a pulse output circuit and synchronizing signal output circuit to adjust the exposure time of photoelectric conversion elements by changing the output interval of synchronizing signals, allowing for synchronized reset and read pulses across rows or columns, enabling variable exposure times without altering the imaging device's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a half neutral density filter is attached to the front surface of an imaging lens to adjust incident light, then the saturation issue in bright and dark areas is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex and light is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the exposure control function from the optical path (removing the need for physical filters) and implements it through electronic control of the photoelectric conversion elements. By controlling the reset pulse timing and read pulse timing for different regions, the exposure amount is adjusted without any physical filter, thus eliminating structural complexity while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/optical solution (half ND filter) with an electronic control system. Instead of using a physical filter to reduce light intensity, the system uses electronic control of the photoelectric conversion elements through synchronized reset and read pulses, substituting mechanical light attenuation with electronic exposure control.
2Manufacturing precision
If the exposure time is controlled for each portion of the light receiving surface, then the saturation issue in bright and dark areas is improved, but the device structure needs to be changed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the existing pulse output circuit and synchronizing signal output circuit perform multiple functions. These circuits, which originally handled timing signals for photoelectric conversion, are now also used to control exposure time variations across different regions by adjusting reset and read pulse timing, eliminating the need for additional dedicated exposure control hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the photoelectric conversion elements to self-regulate their exposure through electronic control signals. Each photoelectric conversion element responds to the timing of reset pulses and read pulses to automatically adjust its exposure amount, without requiring physical modification of the elements themselves or additional control hardware for each element.
3Manufacturing precision
If a half neutral density filter is attached to adjust incident light, then the saturation issue is improved, but light is lost and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the physical filter from the optical path and extracts the exposure control function to the electronic control system. By controlling the timing of reset and read pulses for different photoelectric conversion elements, the system achieves differential exposure control without any physical light-blocking components, thus eliminating light loss while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical/optical light attenuation method (ND filter) with an electronic control method. Instead of physically blocking light to reduce exposure in bright areas, the system uses electronic timing control of the photoelectric conversion elements, replacing light loss with efficient electronic exposure management.
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 allows for dynamic adjustment of exposure times across the light receiving surface, effectively managing exposure amounts in both bright and dark areas, thereby improving image gradation without requiring structural changes to the imaging device.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a device and method for controlling a solid-state electronic imaging device which can change the amount of exposure of a photoelectric conversion element without changing the structure of the imaging device. A reset pulse and a read pulse are applied to photoelectric conversion elements included in an imaging device in synchronization with a synchronizing signal. The output interval of the synchronizing signal up to the photoelectric conversion elements in a predetermined row is ΔH1 and is constant. For the photoelectric conversion elements in the subsequent rows, the output interval of the synchronizing signal is ΔH2 that is longer than ΔH1. Since the reset pulse and the read pulse are synchronized with the synchronizing signal, the output interval of the synchronizing signal is long. It is possible to adjust the amount of exposure of the photoelectric conversion element.