Time-of-Flight Sensor On-Chip Analog Memory Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Time-of-flight sensors require significant digital memory to store data points until processing, leading to increased costs, processing power, and space requirements, which is impractical for embedded systems.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating on-chip analog memory to store charge data associated with image frames, reducing the need for additional digital memory and enabling efficient processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If digital memory is used to store data points, then data storage capability is improved, but device cost and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storage capacityVSAvoidmemory chip requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sensor array and memory functions into a single integrated device. The sensor array directly stores captured data points in memory cells without requiring separate digital memory chips, eliminating the need for additional memory interfaces and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adequate storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor array performs multiple functions: it acts as both the light detection element and the storage medium. Each pixel in the sensor array can store data points directly, eliminating the need for dedicated memory components and reducing the overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If more digital memory is provided, then data storage is improved, but processing power and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the sensor and memory functions into a single array structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate memory interfaces and data transfer mechanisms, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate storage capacity for all data points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If digital memory is used for data storage, then data retention is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges sensor and memory functions into a single integrated array, eliminating the need for separate memory chips and interfaces, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and device cost while maintaining adequate storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor array performs dual functions as both detection and storage elements, eliminating the need for dedicated memory components and reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8908063B2Method and apparatus for a time-of-flight sensor with charge storage

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A time-of-flight sensor device includes analog memory to store one or more sets of charges associated with a time-of-flight image frame captured by a time-of-flight pixel array. So configured, the time-of-flight sensor device greatly reduces or eliminates the need for digital memory otherwise required to store image data prior to processing.