Time Code Image Sensor Block Segmentation Collision Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time code image sensors face issues with dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and power consumption, and suffer from collisions of events when multiple pixels turn on simultaneously, causing time shifts that can significantly alter the quality of the image.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor is divided into blocks and macroblocks, with control circuits that inhibit the transmission of address reading requests for a predetermined period after the brightest pixel in each block or macroblock is acknowledged, ensuring only one pixel per block or macroblock is read, thereby reducing collisions and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pixels turn on simultaneously and transmit address reading requests, then more pixel data can be captured, but collisions occur causing time shifts that significantly alter image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple blocks, with each block independently managing its pixel activation and reading process. This segmentation prevents collisions between pixels in different blocks by isolating their read operations, allowing simultaneous capture of multiple pixels without compromising image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic inhibition periods where blocks alternately activate and inhibit pixel reading. During each period, only specific blocks are active while others are inhibited, creating a time-division multiplexing effect that eliminates collisions while maintaining high overall productivity.
2Loss of information
If all pixels are read simultaneously, then complete image data is obtained, but the read circuit becomes overloaded and timing conflicts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The read circuit processes pixels in segmented blocks rather than all at once. Each block has its own control circuit that manages reading independently, distributing the load across multiple processing units and time periods, thus preventing circuit overload while maintaining data completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary selection of pixels to be read based on their activation status before the actual reading process. Control circuits pre-identify which pixels need reading and schedule them in advance, preventing last-minute congestion and timing conflicts in the read circuit.
3Reliability
If the inhibition period is long, then collisions are reduced, but the integration time is reduced and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the pixel array into multiple blocks that operate independently, the system can have multiple blocks in different phases of their read cycles simultaneously. This parallel operation reduces the effective inhibition period for each individual block while maintaining overall high productivity and minimizing collision opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The inhibition period is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The control circuits adjust the inhibition duration based on real-time block status and read progress, minimizing the inhibition period to the absolute minimum needed to prevent collisions, thus preserving maximum integration time.
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 significantly reduces image distortions by assigning the value of the brightest pixel to all pixels in a block or macroblock with similar brightness levels, minimizing the impact of simultaneous pixel activations and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
Each pixel comprises a photodetector, a comparator of the level of an output signal of the photodetector with a reference value
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor including: a first control circuit; a plurality of pixels, each including a photodetector, a comparator of the level of an output signal of the photodetector with a reference value, and a second control circuit connected to the first control circuit, the second circuit being capable of sending a signal of address reading request to the first circuit when the pixel turns on, of receiving an address reading acknowledgement signal transmitted by the first circuit, and of deactivating the pixel on reception of the reading acknowledgement signal; and at least one third control circuit capable, when a pixel receives a reading acknowledgement signal, of blocking the transmission of address reading request signals in at least one adjacent pixel.