Solid-State Imaging Shift Register Scan Start Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state imaging apparatuses face challenges in accurately reading pixel signals from selected regions over a long time due to signal quality changes at block boundaries and limited flexibility in selecting regions for reading during operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shift register with a storing section and switches that allows for the storage and transmission of scan start location information, enabling flexible and stable reading of pixel signals from selected regions by adjusting the timing of memory and transmitting pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a shift register is divided into a plurality of blocks for reading selected regions, then reading flexibility is improved, but signal quality deteriorates at block boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a boundary region between adjacent blocks that contains no light-receiving pixels. This boundary region acts as an intermediary that electrically isolates the blocks, preventing signal quality degradation at block boundaries while preserving the ability to selectively read different regions by controlling the shift register starting position.
2Device complexity
If blocks are set at manufacture for region selection, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as regions cannot be changed during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the region selection dynamic by allowing the shift register to start scanning from any pixel position based on control signals received during operation. The boundary regions are pre-configured but their utilization is dynamically controlled, enabling flexible region selection without requiring complex manufacturing-time configurations.
3Productivity
If the shift register continuously scans all pixels, then productivity is maximized, but the ability to read only selected regions reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light-receiving pixel array into multiple blocks separated by boundary regions. This segmentation allows the shift register to selectively scan only the blocks containing regions of interest, skipping boundary regions and unselected blocks, thereby improving reading efficiency for selected regions while maintaining the option to scan all pixels if needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an XY-addressing solid-state imaging apparatus including a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pixels and a horizontal and vertical scanning circuits for reading pixel signals of the solid-state imaging device; a shift register of at least one of the horizontal and vertical scanning circuits including shift register units serially connected in a large number of stages for transferring information related to scan location by clock and a storing section connected through a storing switch and transmitting switch to each shift register unit; the solid-state imaging apparatus also includes a drive control means for causing the storing section to store a scan start location information in a scan start location setting period before a main scanning so that the scan start location information is transmitted from the storing section in the main scanning to start scanning from a desired scan start location and for effecting the storing of the scan start location information also in the main scanning.