Photoelectric Conversion Device Pixel Control for Ranging Frame Rate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ranging devices face challenges in improving frame rate due to the need for repeated light emission and reception while changing gating periods, which prolongs the time required for one ranging measurement.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectric conversion device with a light receiving unit and pixel control units that allow for differential exposure periods among pixels, enabling simultaneous light reception in multiple periods with a single light emission, thereby improving frame rate without reducing resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If repeated light emission and reception is performed while changing gating period, then measurement precision is improved, but time required for one ranging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiving unit is divided into multiple pixels, each with an independent pixel control unit that can operate with different exposure control signals. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple gating periods simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential repeated measurements while maintaining measurement precision across different time windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal sequential processing (one gating period at a time) to spatial parallel processing (multiple pixels handling different gating periods simultaneously). By adding the spatial dimension of multiple pixels to the temporal dimension of gating periods, the system achieves both high measurement precision and fast frame rate.
2Productivity
If multiple pixels use different exposure periods, then frame rate is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The selection circuit enables partial action by selectively activating either the first or second exposure control signal based on the selection signal. This allows the system to use only the necessary control paths for each pixel type, avoiding the need to implement all possible control variations in every pixel, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high frame rate capability.
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 faster ranging measurements by enabling multiple distance calculations in a single light emission, enhancing frame rate while maintaining or improving resolution through controlled exposure periods.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit 40... each pixel 41 being configured to detect incident light and generate a signal based on the incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A photoelectric conversion device includes a light receiving unit and a plurality of pixel control units. A first pixel control unit controls a first exposure period in a first pixel among a plurality of pixels based on a first exposure control signal, generates a second exposure control signal by delaying the first exposure control signal, and outputs the second exposure control signal to a second pixel control unit. When the first exposure control signal is enabled, the second pixel control unit controls a second exposure period such that a start time of the second exposure period coincides with a start time of the first exposure period. When the second exposure control signal is enabled, the second pixel control unit controls the second exposure period such that the start time of the second exposure period is later than the start time of the first exposure period.