Imaging Device Gain Storage and Noise Filter Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Irregular doping levels in semiconductor manufacturing lead to defects in photographing devices, resulting in varying image signal luminance levels and noise, necessitating a method to correct luminance and reduce noise deviations across different devices.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a gain storage register, a gain adjustment unit, and a noise reduction unit that selects and applies noise filters based on the gain and sensitivity to correct luminance levels and reduce noise, using a database of noise filters tailored to different gain and sensitivity values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gain is applied to correct luminance level of image signal, then luminance consistency is improved, but noise deviation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different noise filter strengths based on the gain value applied to each photographing device. Devices with higher gain (which experience more noise amplification) receive stronger noise filtering, while devices with lower gain receive weaker filtering. This localized adaptation of noise reduction strength resolves the contradiction by tailoring the noise compensation to the specific gain applied for luminance correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the noise filter parameter (filter strength) based on the gain parameter. By adjusting the noise filter strength in proportion to the gain applied for luminance correction, the system dynamically adapts the noise reduction level to match the luminance correction needs, thereby resolving the contradiction between luminance consistency and noise deviation.
2Ease of manufacture
If different photographing devices are manufactured with varying doping levels, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but image quality consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines a specific gain parameter for each photographing device based on its doping level characteristics. This gain parameter is used to correct the luminance level of image signals from devices with different doping levels, thereby achieving luminance consistency despite manufacturing variations. The system transforms the physical parameter (doping level) into a corrective parameter (gain) to maintain output consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual luminance output of each photographing device is measured and used to determine the appropriate gain correction. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically compensate for doping level variations and other manufacturing tolerances, maintaining image quality consistency across devices with different manufacturing characteristics.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If noise filter strength is increased to reduce noise, then noise reduction is improved, but image signal detail is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies noise filtering with locally adapted strength based on the gain value. Instead of using a uniform strong filter that would lose details, the system applies just enough noise filtering to compensate for the noise introduced by the gain correction. This localized adaptation prevents excessive detail loss while still achieving noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies noise filtering at a partial level rather than maximum strength. By adjusting the filter strength to match the actual noise level (which depends on the gain applied), the system avoids excessive filtering that would remove image details, while still providing sufficient noise reduction to maintain image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes a photographing device configured to photograph an object and generate an image signal, a gain storage register configured to store a gain determined for the photographing device, a gain adjustment unit configured to adjust the image signal using the gain, and a noise reduction unit configured to reduce noise of the image signal using a noise filter selected based on the gain.