Solid-State Imaging Device Overlapping Photon Pulse Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state imaging devices cannot obtain multiple images where the imaging periods overlap, limiting their ability to capture continuous or overlapping frames effectively.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state imaging device that generates pulses corresponding to light frequency, allowing for the generation of first and second imaging signals based on overlapping imaging periods, enabling the capture of multiple images with overlapping storage periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional imaging device captures images sequentially, then the device structure remains simple, but multiple images with overlapping imaging periods cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device divides the pixel array into multiple regions (first region and second region), allowing different regions to capture images at different time periods. This segmentation enables overlapping image capture without requiring complex additional hardware, as each region operates independently with its own photoelectric conversion and signal processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements periodic switching between capturing images in the first region and second region. By controlling the imaging periods to overlap and switch periodically between regions, the system can generate multiple images with overlapping time periods, achieving the desired versatility while maintaining relatively simple device structure through temporal multiplexing.
2Reliability
If the imaging device captures images for longer periods to improve low luminance performance, then image quality improves, but the ability to capture continuous or overlapping frames is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pixel array into multiple regions that can operate independently, the device allows one region to accumulate photons for extended periods (improving low luminance performance) while another region captures subsequent frames (maintaining continuous photography capability). This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction between long exposure time and frame continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains continuous useful action by switching between regions during the imaging process. While the first region is accumulating photons for a long exposure, the second region can start capturing the next frame, ensuring that the imaging system continuously produces image data without idle periods, thus maintaining productivity while improving low luminance performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the device captures still images with long storage periods, then image quality improves, but overlapping with moving image storage periods becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into regions that can be dedicated to different imaging modes. One region can be assigned for still image capture with long storage periods to ensure high image quality, while another region handles moving image capture with shorter storage periods, enabling overlapping storage periods and multi-mode operation simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs periodic switching between still image and moving image capture modes in different regions. By coordinating the imaging periods and storage periods of different regions with periodic timing, the system allows still images with long storage periods to overlap with moving images with shorter storage periods, achieving both high image quality and versatile overlapping capability.
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
Enables the capture of multiple images with overlapping imaging periods, facilitating continuous photography even under low luminance conditions and allowing for the generation of high dynamic range images by overlapping storage periods of still and moving images.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to generate a pulse at a frequency corresponding to a light receiving frequency of photon
Data Source
AI summary
Solid-state imaging device and apparatus provide a plurality of images in imaging periods overlapped. The imaging apparatus has: pixels each having a sensor generating pulses at a frequency corresponding to a light receiving frequency, a counter counting the number of pulses, and a memory storing a count value of the counter; and a generator generating a first imaging signal based on a count value of the counter at starting the photographing of a first image and a count value of the counter at stopping the photographing of the first image and generating a second imaging signal based on a count value of the counter at starting the photographing of a second image different from the first image and a count value of the counter at stopping the photographing of the second image.