Signal Transmitting Unit for Image Pickup Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup devices face inefficiencies due to the presence of unnecessary circuits in the image processing unit when handling different output types of pixel signals from solid-state image pickup devices, leading to increased circuit size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup device configuration that includes a signal transmitting unit with line memories and control units to rearrange the sequence of image signals from the image capturing unit, allowing the image processing unit to handle signals as if they were of a different output type, thereby eliminating the need for unnecessary circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image processing unit is configured to handle multiple output types of pixel signals, then the device can process signals from different imager types, but the circuit size and complexity increase due to the presence of unnecessary circuits
Solution Approach 1:
A signal transmitting unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the image capturing unit and the image processing unit. This unit includes line memories and control units that convert the sequence of image capturing signals, enabling compatibility with different imager output types without requiring the image processing unit to be reconfigured for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal transmission function is segmented into separate components: line memories for storing signal sequences and control units for managing the conversion process. This separates the sequence conversion functionality from the image processing unit, allowing the processor to maintain a fixed, simplified configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image processing unit handles signals from imagers with different output types, then versatility is improved, but unnecessary circuits remain active leading to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmitting unit acts as a mediator that adapts signals before they reach the image processing unit. This allows the image processing unit to operate with a fixed configuration, disabling unnecessary circuits when processing specific imager types, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the signal transmitting unit rearranges the sequence of image capturing signals, then compatibility with different imager output types is achieved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The line memories in the signal transmitting unit preliminarily store and organize the sequence of image capturing signals before they are transmitted to the image processing unit. This preliminary arrangement of signal sequences reduces the processing burden and time required during the actual image processing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup device may include an image capturing unit that includes a solid-state image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix form and simultaneously outputting pixel signals of the plurality of pixels adjacent to each other in a row or column direction in sequence while sequentially shifting the pixels that output the pixel signals in the row direction, and that simultaneously outputs image capturing signals respectively corresponding to the simultaneously output pixel signals in sequence from corresponding output terminals, an image processing unit to which the image capturing signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixels adjacent to each other in the row or column direction of the pixels arrayed in the solid-state image pickup device are simultaneously input in sequence from corresponding input terminals, and which performs image processing on the input image capturing signals, and a signal transmitting unit.