Imaging Device Spectroscopic Pixel Circuit Color Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
CMOS image sensors require external arithmetic processing to obtain color imaging data, leading to high power consumption, reduced speed, and lower sensitivity, and they rely on color filters that absorb unwanted light, reducing light use efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a spectroscopic element and pixel circuits that exclude specific light components to synthesize colors without external processing, using oxide semiconductors for transistors to enhance sensitivity and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color filters are used to obtain color imaging data, then color separation is achieved, but light use efficiency is reduced due to absorption of unwanted wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical color filter system with an electronic processing system. Instead of using physical filters to separate colors, the invention uses a photosensor array that captures full-spectrum light and then applies arithmetic processing (specifically, differential calculations between adjacent pixels) to extract color information electronically. This substitution eliminates light absorption losses while achieving color separation through computational methods.
2Measurement precision
If external processing circuits are used to obtain color imaging data, then color information is extracted, but power consumption increases and operation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging array into multiple regions with different spectral response characteristics (e.g., regions sensitive to different wavelength ranges). Each region captures a portion of the spectral information, and the color data is reconstructed by combining and differentiating the signals from these segmented regions. This segmentation approach enables color extraction with simpler, lower-power circuitry compared to full external processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by integrating the color processing function directly into the pixel array structure itself. The differential calculation between adjacent pixels is performed using on-chip circuitry within the sensor array, eliminating the need for complex external processing circuits. This self-contained approach reduces power consumption and increases operation speed by performing color extraction at the source rather than requiring separate processing stages.
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
The solution allows for color image capture without color filters, reducing power consumption, enabling high-speed operation, increased sensitivity, and a wider dynamic range while eliminating the need for external processing.
Implementation Method 1
a first photoelectric conversion element, a first transistor, and a second transistor
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device which does not include a color filter and does not need arithmetic processing using an external processing circuit is provided. A first circuit includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a first transistor, and a second transistor; a second circuit includes a second photoelectric conversion element, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor; a third circuit includes a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a seventh transistor, and a second capacitor; the spectroscopic element is provided over the first photoelectric conversion element or the second photoelectric conversion element; and the first circuit and the second circuit is connected to the third circuit through a first capacitor.