X-ray Sensor Binning with Imaginary Rows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray image sensors face geometrical distortion when butting tiles and applying binning techniques, which affects the accuracy of the resulting image.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor comprises butted sensor tiles with added imaginary rows to adjust center-to-center distances between row groups, allowing for improved geometrical accuracy in both full-resolution and binning modes by constructing first row groups with these imaginary rows, ensuring center positions lie on a regular grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If binning techniques are applied to butted sensor tiles, then frame rate and signal-to-noise ratio are improved, but geometrical distortion occurs affecting image accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values in a lookup table that compensate for geometrical distortion before image processing. The distortion correction data is prepared in advance based on the known binning pattern and tile arrangement, allowing real-time correction without complex calculations during image acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by introducing virtual row offsets that adjust the apparent position of rows from different tiles. By modifying the row indexing parameters and applying different offset values to rows from different physical tiles, the system reconstructs the correct geometrical relationships in the binned image while maintaining high frame rates.
2Reliability
If binning techniques are applied to butted sensor tiles, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but geometrical distortion occurs affecting image accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values in a lookup table that compensate for geometrical distortion before image processing. The distortion correction data is prepared in advance based on the known binning pattern and tile arrangement, allowing real-time correction without complex calculations during image acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by introducing virtual row offsets that adjust the apparent position of rows from different tiles. By modifying the row indexing parameters and applying different offset values to rows from different physical tiles, the system reconstructs the correct geometrical relationships in the binned image while maintaining high frame rates.
3Measurement precision
If full-resolution read out is used, then image resolution is maximized, but frame rate is reduced due to sequential row addressing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the row selection and readout process adaptable. The system can dynamically switch between full-resolution mode (sequential row-by-row readout) and binning mode (simultaneous multi-row readout) based on application requirements. The virtual row offset mechanism dynamically adjusts to maintain geometric accuracy in both modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single sensor tile system that can perform multiple functions: full-resolution imaging, binning for increased frame rate, and binning with distortion correction. The virtual row offset mechanism and lookup table approach enable the same hardware to achieve both high resolution and high speed performance as needed.
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 configuration minimizes geometrical distortion and maintains high image resolution while enabling higher frame rates and improved signal-to-noise ratios, particularly when combining tiles.
Implementation Method 1
X-ray sensors comprise a scintillator to convert the incoming X-rays into visible light
Implementation Method 2
a photodiode D1 that is configured to convert incoming visible light into an electric current
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to an image sensor and to a method for operating such sensor. The sensor of the invention comprises a pair of butted sensor tiles, each sensor tile comprising a pixel array comprising a plurality of rows and columns of photosensitive pixels. By constructing first row groups using at least one imaginary row, a different center-to-center distance exists between the different row groups than that which is obtained in prior art devices. More in particular, the construction according to the present invention allows the center positions of the rows to lie on a regular grid thereby lowering the geometrical distortion of the resulting image.