Photoelectric Conversion Device with Segmented Image Sensor Regions

Solution Overview

Problem

Onboard cameras in movable apparatuses face challenges in recognizing moving objects quickly due to long accumulation periods, which lead to subject blurring and reduced recognition rates.

Innovation Solution

A photoelectric conversion device is designed with a visual-recognition image processing unit and an image-recognition image processing unit, along with a control unit that manages the image processing to optimize between high image quality for visual recognition and fast image processing for object recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the accumulation period is lengthened to capture bright images and curb flickering, then image brightness and flickering suppression are improved, but subject blurring occurs in moving objects and recognition rate is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidrecognition rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into two distinct regions: a first region dedicated to visual recognition with a first accumulation period optimized for brightness, and a second region dedicated to object recognition with a second accumulation period optimized for capturing moving objects. This segmentation allows each region to have tailored exposure parameters that address their specific functional requirements without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the accumulation period is lengthened to curb flickering due to traffic signals, then flickering suppression is improved, but subject blurring occurs and recognition rate is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflickering suppressionVSAvoidrecognition rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into two distinct regions: a first region dedicated to visual recognition with a first accumulation period optimized for brightness, and a second region dedicated to object recognition with a second accumulation period optimized for capturing moving objects. This segmentation allows each region to have tailored exposure parameters that address their specific functional requirements without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If frame rate is increased to improve recognition speed, then recognition response time is improved, but accumulation period must be reduced and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecognition speedVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into two distinct regions: a first region dedicated to visual recognition with a first accumulation period optimized for brightness, and a second region dedicated to object recognition with a second accumulation period optimized for capturing moving objects. This segmentation allows each region to have tailored exposure parameters that address their specific functional requirements without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from temporal optimization (single accumulation period for all pixels) to spatial optimization (different accumulation periods for different spatial regions). By utilizing the spatial dimension of the sensor array, the system can maintain high frame rates while preserving image quality in regions where it matters most for visual recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution enables the onboard camera to achieve high image quality for visual recognition while also allowing for rapid object recognition, reducing subject blurring and improving recognition rates.

Implementation Method 1

a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate an image signal corresponding to an incident light quantity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250088761A1Photoelectric conversion device, movable apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.03.13 CANON KK

AI summary

A photoelectric conversion device includes: a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate an image signal corresponding to an incident light quantity; a visual-recognition image processing unit configured to perform visual-recognition image processing to generate an image for visual recognition; an image-recognition image processing unit configured to perform image-recognition image processing to generate an image for image recognition; and a control unit configured to perform control such that image processing is performed on the image signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element using at least one of the visual-recognition image processing unit and the image-recognition image processing unit.