Solid-State Imaging Device Storage Cell Merging for High-Speed Photography
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed cameras with solid-state imaging devices are limited by the number of frames that can be photographed due to storage cell limitations, and achieving high-speed multiple exposure photography is challenging without external devices like high-speed mechanical shutters and strobe lights.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state imaging device with a photoelectric converter, storage cells, a combining unit to combine information from multiple storage cells, and a selective storing unit to store combined information in one cell, allowing for more information to be stored and read efficiently, while also using a signal amplifier and noise cancelling circuit to improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of storage cells is increased to store more frames, then the number of photographable frames increases, but the device complexity and reading time increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines information from multiple storage cells (first storage cell and second storage cell) into a single storage cell. The combining unit merges the frame information stored in these cells, allowing the system to store more frames than the number of physical storage cells. This resolves the contradiction by reducing the number of storage cells needed while increasing the number of storable frames.
Solution Approach 2:
Storage cells are used for multiple purposes: individual frame storage and combined frame storage. The same storage cells can hold either separate frame data or merged frame data depending on the operation mode. This multi-functionality allows the limited number of storage cells to effectively store a larger number of frames.
2Loss of information
If data is read from each storage cell sequentially, then all stored information can be retrieved, but the reading time increases with the number of storage cells
Solution Approach 1:
By merging frame information from multiple storage cells into a single storage cell, the system reduces the number of reading operations needed. Instead of reading from multiple cells sequentially, the combined information can be retrieved from one cell, significantly reducing reading time while maintaining complete information retrieval.
3Productivity
If high-speed photography is performed repeatedly with the same number of storage cells, then more frames can be captured, but the photographing operation must stop during data reading
Solution Approach 1:
The combining unit merges frame information while photographing operations continue. This allows the system to accumulate frames from multiple photography sessions without stopping to read data, as the merging process can occur concurrently with ongoing photography operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous photographing operations by performing the merging of frame information in parallel with the photography process. The photographing operation does not need to pause for data reading, enabling uninterrupted capture of high-speed sequences.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external devices like high-speed mechanical shutters and strobe lights are used for multiple exposure photography, then multiple exposure photography can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solid-state imaging device performs multiple exposure photography using its own internal resources (storage cells and combining unit) without requiring external devices like mechanical shutters or strobe lights. The system serves its own multiple exposure function through electronic merging of frames stored in different storage cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical systems (mechanical shutters, strobe lights) with electronic systems (storage cells, combining unit). The merging of frame information is achieved through electronic processing rather than mechanical intervention, eliminating the need for complex external devices.
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 a larger number of frames than the number of storage cells, facilitates high-speed photography, and achieves multiple exposure photography without the need for external devices, while maintaining image quality by reducing noise and signal degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric converter corresponding to a pixel and operable to output a signal charge in accordance with received light
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging device that enables more images to be photographed and a reading time to be shortened by effectively using storage cells is provided. By combining pieces of information which correspond to signal charges output from a photoelectric converter and are sequentially stored in storage cells, it is possible to store more pieces of information than the number of storage cells. Also, by reading the combined information stored in one storage cell, it is possible to read more pieces of information by a single reading operation.