Solid-State Image Pickup Device for Color Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic vision sensors (DVS) lack the capability to acquire color images due to the absence of a wavelength selection element, resulting in difficulties in reconstructing correct colors due to temporal and spatial shifts in wavelength components during asynchronous pixel signal reading.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state image pickup device is designed with a plurality of light receiving portions that generate electric charges based on received light, a detector for photoelectric currents, and a driving circuit that generates voltage signals from these charges, allowing for the acquisition of color images by grouping light receiving portions into pixel blocks with wavelength selection elements, such as color filters, to synchronize pixel signal reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If asynchronous pixel signal reading is used in DVS, then real-time detection capability is improved, but color image acquisition capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple pixel blocks, where each pixel block contains multiple light receiving portions with different wavelength selection elements (color filters). This segmentation allows the system to maintain asynchronous reading at the pixel level while enabling color information collection through the structured organization of wavelength-selective elements within each block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the asynchronous reading process by organizing light receiving portions with different wavelength selection elements in a two-dimensional pixel block structure. This allows color information to be captured simultaneously across different spatial locations within each pixel block, overcoming the temporal shifts that would occur with sequential asynchronous reading of single pixels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wavelength selection elements are added to DVS, then color image acquisition capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each pixel block serves multiple functions: it performs asynchronous detection like traditional DVS pixels, while simultaneously capturing color information through its multiple light receiving portions with different wavelength selection elements. This multi-functionality allows the same structural unit to provide both real-time detection and color imaging capabilities without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the wavelength selection function (color filters) with the light receiving function within the same pixel block structure. By combining these functions in a integrated manner where multiple light receiving portions share common circuitry and processing resources, the overall device complexity is reduced compared to having separate systems for monochrome detection and color filtering.
3Productivity
If pixel signals are read asynchronously from each pixel, then processing speed is improved, but temporal and spatial shifts in wavelength components occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of wavelength selection elements within each pixel block before the asynchronous reading process begins. By pre-arranging multiple light receiving portions with different color filters in a structured pixel block configuration, the system ensures that all necessary wavelength components are available simultaneously within each block, allowing subsequent asynchronous reading to proceed without introducing temporal or spatial shifts in the wavelength information.
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
Enables the correct reconstruction of color images by synchronizing the reading of pixel signals from multiple light receiving portions, addressing the temporal and spatial shifts in wavelength components and allowing for accurate color representation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light receiving portions, each of which receives light of a specific wavelength to generate an electric charge corresponding to an amount of the received light
Data Source
AI summary
To acquire a color image. A solid-state image pickup device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of light receiving portions, each of which receives light of a specific wavelength to generate an electric charge corresponding to an amount of the received light, a detector that detects a photoelectric current based on an electric charge generated in at least one of the plurality of light receiving portions, a generator that generates a voltage signal based on the electric charge generated in each of the plurality of light receiving portions, and a driving circuit that causes the generator to generate voltage signals based on electric charges generated in at least two of the plurality of light receiving portions, respectively, on the basis of a detection result of the photoelectric current by the detector.