Image Sensor Sub-Pixel Differential Exposure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image sensing devices face limitations in dynamic range, particularly in capturing images with varying exposure times, which can lead to motion artifacts in moving images.
Innovation Solution
The proposed image sensing device includes a pixel unit with two sub-pixels per color, a row control block for differential exposure control, and an image process block that generates multiple image data sets with different exposure times based on sub-pixel signals, utilizing a delta-reset sampling and correlated-double sampling scheme.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single exposure time is used for all pixels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dynamic range is limited and motion artifacts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple pixel units, each containing sub-pixels that can be independently controlled with different exposure times. This segmentation allows the system to capture multiple exposure durations simultaneously, expanding the dynamic range without requiring multiple separate exposures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic exposure control where the row control block varies exposure times for different sub-pixels within the same pixel unit. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt exposure duration to local scene requirements, improving dynamic range while maintaining a relatively simple hardware architecture through time-multiplexed control
2Reliability
If multiple image data with different exposure times are generated, then motion artifacts are minimized, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sampling of pixel signals at multiple exposure times within a single row line unit time, storing these signals in separate storage units. This preliminary action captures all necessary exposure data in advance, allowing subsequent image processing to selectively combine these pre-captured signals without requiring complex real-time processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple sub-pixel signals with different exposure times within the same pixel unit to generate composite image data. The image process block combines these signals intelligently, selecting appropriate exposure data for different regions of the image, thereby reducing motion artifacts while maintaining processing efficiency through unified processing of co-located multi-exposure signals
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 enhances the dynamic range of the image sensing device, minimizing motion artifacts by generating image data with varied exposure times within a single row line unit time, thereby improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
Image sensing devices capture images using the photosensitive properties of semiconductors
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensing device includes: a pixel unit including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel corresponding to a single color; a row control block suitable for controlling exposure times of the first and second sub-pixels differently from one another during an exposure time section, and controlling a first sub-pixel signal and a second sub-pixel signal to be outputted from the first and second sub-pixels during a single row line unit time during a read time section; and an image process block suitable for generating three or more image data which have different exposure times based on the first and second sub-pixel signals.