X-ray Detector Digital Binning Defective Pixel Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems face challenges in efficiently performing non-destructive reading and binning processing, particularly when dealing with defective pixels, which can lead to reduced processing speed and image quality due to increased memory access and noise interference.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging apparatus incorporates a sample-hold unit, A/D conversion unit, averaging processing unit, and digital binning unit to perform multiple non-destructive readings and averaging operations, while utilizing a pixel addition circuit to reduce the number of scanned pixels and exclude defective pixel information, thereby enhancing processing speed and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If binning processing is performed considering defective pixels together with averaging processing of multiple non-destructive reading operations, then image quality is improved by excluding defective pixel signals, but processing speed decreases due to increased memory access operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing defective pixel positional information in a buffer memory before the binning processing begins. This allows the processing unit to immediately access and utilize this information during binning operations without requiring repeated memory accesses, thereby maintaining high processing speed while still achieving improved image quality through defective pixel exclusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of defective pixel positional information and stores it in a dedicated buffer memory. This copied data can be rapidly accessed during processing without affecting the original storage, enabling fast binning operations that exclude defective pixels while maintaining overall processing efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If multiple non-destructive reading operations are performed for averaging processing, then noise reduction is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by implementing a pipeline architecture where multiple non-destructive reading operations are performed in succession without interruption. The sample-hold unit continuously samples and holds signals from multiple readings, and the processing unit continuously performs averaging operations on these accumulated signals, thereby achieving noise reduction through multiple readings while minimizing idle time and maintaining high processing throughput.
3Reliability
If binning processing is performed for every frame of non-destructive reading, then defective pixel exclusion is maintained, but memory access frequency increases reducing processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading and storing the positional information of defective pixels in a buffer memory before the binning processing starts. This preliminary preparation allows the processing unit to quickly reference and exclude defective pixels during each frame's binning operation without requiring repeated memory accesses to fetch defective pixel locations, thereby maintaining reliable defective pixel exclusion while significantly reducing memory access overhead and improving processing speed.
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 allows for efficient averaging and digital binning processing, reducing noise and improving image quality by minimizing the impact of defective pixels and optimizing processing time, while maintaining a compact circuit design.
Implementation Method 1
an equal-magnification optical system large-area flat panel type sensor using a photoelectric conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes a sensor including a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional pattern, a sample-hold unit configured to sample and hold a signal obtained from each pixel, and a reading unit configured to perform scanning in such a way as to perform a plurality of non-destructive reading operations for pixels of one row and as to read pixels of the next row, and to subsequently perform scanning in a row direction and a column direction to read the signal having been sampled and held by the sample-hold unit, an A/D conversion unit configured to perform analog/digital conversion processing on the signal read by the reading unit, an averaging processing unit configured to perform averaging processing on the signal converted by the A/D conversion unit, for each pixel, and a digital binning unit configured to perform binning processing using the signal processed by the averaging processing unit.