Pixel Binning Circuit Offset Adjustment for Quantization Error Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pixel binning methods for image sensors suffer from quantization errors due to rounding or overflow issues, which affect the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and data accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A pixel binning method and image readout circuit that perform a pre-scanning process to determine an offset value and arithmetic value, allowing for accurate pixel binning on subsequent data scans to reduce quantization errors by adjusting the data range and using these values in the binning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pixels are accumulated and averaged to maintain original pixel values, then data accuracy is preserved, but quantization error occurs due to rounding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a first scanning process before the main pixel binning operation to obtain preliminary pixel data. This preliminary action determines the actual data range and calculates appropriate offset and arithmetic values that will be used in the subsequent binning process, preventing quantization errors before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the offset value and arithmetic value based on the actual pixel data range obtained from scanning. By changing these parameters according to the specific data characteristics, the system maintains high precision while avoiding quantization errors that would occur with fixed parameters.
2Reliability
If pixel data is accumulated to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then SNR is improved, but data range upper bound is exceeded causing overflow and error
Solution Approach 1:
The first scanning process serves as a preliminary action that identifies the actual data range before accumulation. This allows the system to pre-calculate the offset and arithmetic values needed to handle the accumulated data without overflow, ensuring both high SNR and error-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset value and arithmetic value act as intermediaries between the raw pixel data and the final binning result. These intermediate parameters transform the data in a way that allows accumulation for improved SNR while preventing overflow through the calculated arithmetic operations.
3Productivity
If conventional pixel binning is performed directly on pixel data, then processing speed is maintained, but quantization error and overflow occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preliminary scanning and parameter calculation step before the main binning operation. While this adds one additional scan, the actual binning process itself remains efficient because the offset and arithmetic values are pre-calculated, allowing fast processing of the main data set without repeated calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
A pixel binning method for processing pixel data acquired from an image sensor comprising a pixel array, the pixel binning method includes performing a first scanning process that is to scan a sensing area of the image sensor, to obtain a first number of pixel data; performing a second scanning process that is to scan the sensing area after the first scanning process is completed, to obtain a second number of pixel data; performing pixel binning on the second number of pixel data according to an offset value and an arithmetic value, wherein the offset value is determined according to the first number of pixel data.