Optical Unit Noise Reduction via Multi-Sample Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical units with image sensors are susceptible to noise influences, such as photon shot noise and circuit noise, resulting in inaccurate output values, which affect analysis results.
Innovation Solution
An optical unit comprising an image sensor, A/D converter, conversion processing unit, and average value calculation unit, where output signals from each light receiving element are converted at least twice within a preset time range to acquire multiple values, with an average value calculated to mitigate noise influence, and optionally including an integrating unit and signal holding unit for voltage conversion and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If output signals from light receiving elements are converted sequentially one at a time with an A/D converter, then the conversion process is simple and fast, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to noise influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring multiple output values from the same light receiving element before final processing. The system sequentially converts output signals multiple times (at least twice) within a preset time range, storing these values in advance. This preliminary acquisition of multiple data points allows subsequent average value calculation to reduce noise influence, thereby improving measurement precision without fundamentally changing the sequential conversion approach.
2Reliability
If multiple output values are acquired for each light receiving element by repeated conversion, then noise resistance improves, but the analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial or excessive action by acquiring at least two output values from each light receiving element, which is more than the single value obtained in conventional methods. This excessive acquisition of data (multiple conversions per element) ensures that even if some values are affected by noise, sufficient valid data remains to calculate an accurate average, thereby improving reliability and noise resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a preset time range parameter that controls the duration for acquiring multiple output values. By adjusting this time range parameter, the system can optimize the balance between noise resistance (requiring more measurements) and analysis time (requiring fewer measurements). This parameter-based control allows flexible adaptation to different measurement requirements.
3Measurement precision
If the conversion process is executed repeatedly for each light receiving element, then the average value calculation reduces noise influence, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the system's own existing sequential conversion capability to generate multiple output values that will be averaged. The same A/D converter and control logic that perform sequential conversion are also used to acquire multiple values from each light receiving element. This self-service approach improves measurement precision through average value calculation without requiring additional specialized hardware or complex external processing systems.
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 optical unit reduces noise susceptibility by calculating an average value from multiple output values, ensuring more accurate results even when individual values are influenced by noise, and allows for adjustable cycle settings to optimize noise resistance.
Implementation Method 1
In each of the light receiving elements of the image sensor of this kind, charges are accumulated in accordance with the amount of received light
Data Source
AI summary
A PDA 5 has a plurality of light receiving elements. An A/D converter 30 converts an output signal from each of the light receiving elements of the PDA 5. A conversion processing unit 42 sequentially executes, for the plurality of light receiving elements, a conversion process of converting an output signal from an identical one of the light receiving elements at least twice within a preset time range with the A/D converter 30, to acquire at least two output values. An average value calculation unit 43 calculates an average value of the at least two output values for each of the light receiving elements acquired by the process executed by the conversion processing unit 42.