Pixel Binning in Image Sensors via Segmented Area Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors face challenges in maintaining high frame rates and reducing power consumption while managing large image data, as pixel binning techniques often degrade image quality due to noise.
Innovation Solution
A method of binning pixels in image sensors involves dividing the pixel array into square binning areas, selecting a different number of pixels from each row, and generating binning pixel data through arithmetic or weighted averaging, ensuring even distribution and reduced noise patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pixel binning is used to reduce image data size, then image data size is reduced, but image quality is degraded due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple binning areas, each processing a specific region. This segmentation allows independent noise handling for each area while maintaining overall data reduction. The patent applies this by creating discrete binning areas that can be processed separately, reducing the propagation of noise across the entire image.
Solution Approach 2:
Different processing strategies are applied to different locations within binning areas. The patent selects specific pixels (e.g., corner pixels, edge pixels) for binning operations based on their local characteristics, ensuring that noise is minimized in regions where it matters most while preserving detail in critical areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If more pixels are processed to maintain image quality, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of processing all pixels uniformly, the patent applies binning operations only to selected pixels within binning areas (such as corner or edge pixels). This partial action approach maintains sufficient image quality by processing only the necessary portions, thereby reducing overall power consumption while still achieving noise reduction in critical regions.
3Productivity
If pixel binning is applied to reduce data size, then frame rate can be maintained, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel array into multiple binning areas, allowing parallel processing of different regions. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high frame rates by distributing the processing load across multiple areas while applying noise-reduction techniques selectively within each area, preventing noise accumulation.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional binning methods are used, then image data size is reduced, but noise patterns are amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different binning strategies to different local regions within binning areas. By selecting specific pixels for binning operations based on their local characteristics and positions, the method reduces noise patterns in critical areas while preserving local image quality, preventing the amplification of noise patterns that occurs in uniform binning approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of binning pixels in an image sensor including: dividing a pixel array into a plurality of binning areas, wherein each binning area includes (2n)*(2n) pixels, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than two; and generating binning pixel data in each of the binning areas, wherein the locations of the binning pixel data of each binning area are evenly distributed within the binning area.