Solid-State Image Pickup Element With Encoded Exposure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup apparatuses struggle to perform encoded exposure with high temporal resolution, limiting their ability to effectively capture images with precise timing and reduce blurring.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state image pickup element featuring sensors that generate pulses based on photon reception, counters to count these pulses, and a setting mechanism that controls pulse counting states according to an arbitrary pattern, enabling high temporal resolution encoded exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional shutter-based encoded exposure is used, then the exposure timing can be controlled according to a predetermined pattern, but the temporal resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with an electronic pulse counting mechanism. Instead of physically opening and closing a shutter to control exposure timing, the invention uses electronic counters to count photons during specific time intervals defined by an encoded exposure pattern signal, achieving high temporal resolution without mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an encoded exposure pattern signal as an intermediary that controls the counting operation. This signal acts as a mediator between the photon detection process and the final image data, enabling precise temporal control of the exposure by gating the counter operation according to the desired time pattern
2Ease of operation
If the shutter is opened continuously during exposure, then the exposure process is simple, but blurring cannot be effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic gating of the pulse counting operation based on the encoded exposure pattern. The counter is enabled and disabled in periodic intervals according to the pattern signal, creating a structured exposure process that reduces blurring while maintaining operational simplicity through electronic control
3Use of energy by stationary object
If spatially random selection of image pickup elements is used, then electric power consumption is reduced, but temporal resolution for encoded exposure is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exposure process into discrete time intervals using the encoded exposure pattern, with each interval corresponding to specific counting operations. This temporal segmentation enables high temporal resolution by precisely controlling when photons are counted, independent of spatial selection of image pickup elements
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 solution allows for encoded exposure with high temporal resolution, enabling improved image capture and effective blurring correction by controlling pulse counting states during the exposure period based on an encoded exposure pattern.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sensors that generate pulses with a frequency based on a reception frequency of photons
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state image pickup element as an embodiment includes: a plurality of pixels each including a sensor that generates pulses with a frequency based on a reception frequency of photons and a counter that counts the number of the pulses; and a setting portion that sets, in an exposure period, a state where the pulses are counted in the pixels and a state where the pulses are not counted in the pixels, with a timing based on an arbitrary pattern.