Imaging Device Signal Unification via Dynamic Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices struggle to unify electric signals from pixels to a consistent state between linear and logarithmic conversion modes due to variations in I/O characteristics caused by drive and environmental conditions, leading to incomplete brightness information capture.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a conversion unit that adjusts electric signals from logarithmic to linear conversion mode, using a correction unit to align signals with a reference, and a circuit to process these corrections, along with a derivation unit for inflection points to ensure accurate conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pixels are corrected to coincide with reference output values under reference conditions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when drive conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic correction by deriving inflection point signals at the switching point between linear and logarithmic conversion modes and using these to dynamically adjust correction amounts. This allows the correction values to adapt automatically to changing drive conditions (exposure time, gain settings), ensuring signal consistency across different operating parameters while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the correction parameters based on drive conditions by deriving inflection point signals that reflect actual operating conditions. The correction amount is adjusted according to the inflection point signal values, which vary with exposure time and gain settings. This parameter adaptation ensures that pixels remain unified under varying drive conditions without requiring complex circuitry.
2Manufacturing precision
If all pixels are corrected to reference values, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases to handle condition variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service correction by having each pixel group perform its own correction using locally derived inflection point signals. The correction unit uses the inflection point signal from the same pixel group to determine the correction amount, eliminating the need for complex external correction circuits. This self-contained approach maintains manufacturing precision while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the correction process by handling each pixel group independently with its own inflection point derivation and correction application. This segmentation allows simple, localized correction operations rather than requiring a complex global correction system, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision without increasing overall device complexity.
3Device complexity
If linear conversion mode is used for all brightness ranges, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates for wide brightness range objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic conversion mode switching based on incident light intensity. Pixels automatically switch between linear conversion mode (for low brightness) and logarithmic conversion mode (for high brightness), with the switching point determined by inflection point signals. This dynamic adaptation ensures high measurement precision across wide brightness ranges while keeping the device relatively simple through automatic mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the imaging device universal by enabling it to handle both low brightness and high brightness scenarios effectively. By incorporating both linear and logarithmic conversion capabilities with automatic switching, the device can accurately capture wide brightness range objects without requiring separate devices or complex manual configuration, thereby maintaining measurement precision while avoiding excessive complexity.
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 solution allows for exact unification of electric signals to a linear or logarithmic state without requiring complex circuits, ensuring all brightness information is captured effectively even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element having a plurality of pixels for switching a linear conversion mode for linearly converting incident light to an electric signal and a logarithm conversion mode for logarithmically converting incident light to an electric signal on the basis of incident light intensity
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device including an imaging element having a plurality of pixels for switching a linear conversion mode for linearly converting incident light to an electric signal and a logarithm conversion mode for logarithmically converting incident light to an electric signal on the basis of incident light intensity,a conversion unit for converting and outputting a reference electric signal converted logarithmically and outputted from the imaging element to an electric signal obtained by linearly converting an electric signal before logarithm conversion,a correction unit, when an electric signal converted logarithmically and outputted from the imaging element is varied from the reference electric signal, for correcting it so as to coincide with the reference electric signal, and a circuit for giving the corrected electric signal to the conversion unit.