Imaging Device OPD Pixel Synchronization Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in achieving low electric power consumption while synchronizing image capture across multiple cameras, leading to inefficient use of images and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device equipped with pixels that convert light to current values using photoelectric conversion, allowing a detection unit to detect changes in light intensity, time, pattern, and wavelength without power consumption, and issue operation instructions for system activation and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If imaging operation is performed for synchronization by converting images actually captured, then synchronization between multiple cameras is achieved, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light source serves as an intermediary to provide synchronization signals to multiple cameras. The light source emits light with specific temporal patterns that cameras detect to synchronize their imaging operations, eliminating the need for each camera to perform actual imaging for synchronization purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/imaging-based synchronization method with an optical signaling method. Instead of using actual image capture and conversion for synchronization, the system uses light emission and detection, which consumes significantly less power while achieving the same synchronization goal.
2Reliability
If images are used for synchronization conversion, then synchronization is established, but the images cannot be used for original imaging purpose and result in waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel array into two distinct functional groups: imaging pixels that capture actual images for the original imaging purpose, and synchronization detection pixels (OPD pixels) that detect light signals for synchronization. This segmentation allows both functions to operate independently without interfering with each other, preventing image data waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pixel array are assigned different functions: imaging pixels maintain their full imaging capability while synchronization detection pixels are specialized for light detection. This local differentiation ensures that synchronization operations do not compromise the quality or usability of images captured by imaging pixels.
3Device complexity
If a pixel array is used for both imaging and synchronization detection, then device complexity is reduced, but imaging precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into distinct imaging pixels and synchronization detection pixels. This segmentation allows each pixel type to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring that imaging pixels maintain high imaging precision while synchronization pixels are optimized for light detection, thus resolving the conflict between device simplicity and imaging precision.
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 approach reduces electric power consumption by optimizing the use of light sources for both synchronization and imaging operations, enabling efficient and low-power image capture.
Implementation Method 1
a pixel configured to receive light from a light source and convert a received light amount to a current value by utilizing photoelectric conversion
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an imaging device and a control method that achieve low electric power consumption. A light source is of a wavelength received by an OPD pixel which is a pixel that detects light exposure, and its light emission is controlled by a PC or the like. The OPD pixel is a pixel specialized to detect a brightness of an imaging environment, and converts a received light amount to a current value, without electric power consumption, by utilizing photoelectric conversion. A detector detects a change (light intensity, light reception time, blinking pattern, etc.) of the current value of the OPD pixel, and upon detection, issues an operation instruction to another device (not depicted) or a solid state imaging device, by supplying a detection result to a control unit. The present disclosure can be applied to the solid state imaging device that includes the OPD pixel, for example.