Imaging Pixel Charge Accumulation Frequency Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while increasing resolution, particularly due to high-speed switching of charge accumulation regions and uniform light reception across all pixels, leading to increased power usage even for high-accuracy distance measurement of specific pixel regions.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a matrix of pixels, each equipped with first and second charge accumulation parts, where the control part switches the frequencies of these parts differently for various pixel regions within an imaging frame, allowing for targeted high-speed distance measurement and reduced power consumption by adjusting switching frequencies based on the region of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-speed switching of charge accumulation regions is performed for all pixels to increase resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device divides the pixel array into multiple pixel regions, each independently controllable for charge accumulation switching. This segmentation allows different power consumption levels for different regions, enabling high-precision measurement only where needed while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Different switching frequencies are applied to different pixel regions based on their specific measurement requirements. Regions requiring high precision use high-speed switching, while other regions use lower switching frequencies, optimizing the balance between measurement quality and power consumption locally.
2Measurement precision
If uniform light reception conditions are applied to all pixels, then measurement precision is maintained across the entire field, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different switching frequencies to different pixel regions based on their specific measurement requirements. Regions requiring high precision use high-speed switching, while other regions use lower switching frequencies, optimizing the balance between measurement quality and power consumption locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching frequency for each pixel region is dynamically adjustable based on real-time measurement requirements. This allows the system to adapt power consumption levels to actual needs, using high power only when and where high precision is required, rather than maintaining uniform high power consumption across all pixels.
3Productivity
If charge accumulation regions are switched at high speed for each pixel to increase resolution, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple independently controllable regions, allowing different switching frequencies to be applied to different segments. This enables high-speed data reading in regions where it is needed while using lower switching frequencies in other regions, thereby maintaining overall productivity while reducing total power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying high-speed switching to all pixels, the patent applies high-speed switching only to the extent necessary for meeting measurement requirements in specific regions. This partial action approach achieves the required productivity while avoiding excessive power consumption that would result from uniform high-speed switching across the entire array.
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 approach enables reduced power consumption during light reception while maintaining or improving resolution, allowing for accurate distance measurement with lower power usage by optimizing switching frequencies for specific pixel regions.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric conversion part in the light receiving element performs photoelectric conversion. Charge generated by the photoelectric conversion part
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an imaging device that is operable to reduce power upon receiving light, even with resolution of the imaging device increased. An imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix manner and receive reflected light from a target region, each of the plurality of pixels having a light receiving element that outputs an electric signal based on charge accumulated in either one of first and second charge accumulation parts in accordance with the reflected light; and a control part that executes switching control of the first and second charge accumulation parts by switching frequencies for each pixel region constituted of a pixel group of at least one part of an imaging frame formed by the plurality of pixels, the switching frequencies being different from each other.