Abstract: A method for driving a sensor comprises, during a first time interval, generating a first type sensor value by repeatedly generating alternating periods of sensitivity and insensitivity of at least one pixel of the sensor, and reading out the sensor, and during a second time interval, generating a second type sensor value by irradiating the scene facing the sensor with pulses of electromagnetic energy having a wavelength detectable by the sensor and having predefined start times and durations, and repeatedly generating alternating periods of sensitivity and insensitivity of the at least one pixel, and reading out the pixel once again. Generating alternating periods of sensitivity and insensitivity includes repeatedly controlling transfer means and reset means of the at least one pixel to alternately enable charge transfer while removing reset from the detector element and to disable charge transfer while resetting the detector element, respectively.

Abstract: Image sensor, which comprises a plurality of pixels arranged as a pixel array with rows and columns and at least one read-out arrangement for reading out the pixels row by row. The columns are grouped into blocks with a certain number N of columns. Each read-out arrangement comprises N column read out circuits and an addressing circuit for with at least two groups of addressing lines for addressing the blocks. The blocks are selectively addressed by the groups of addressing lines in a way that a read-out sequence of blocks addressed by the groups is continuous across all blocks.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided to form an image using an active pixel sensor imager (108). The method includes placing an active pixel sensor (202) in electrical contact with a column readout line (204), placing a sample-and-hold capacitor into electrical contact with the column readout line, and placing the sample-and-hold capacitor (314 or 320) in electrical contact with an input capacitor (324 or 334) on an amplifier (222). All of the input capacitor (324 or 334), the sample-and-hold capacitor (314 or 320), and the active pixel sensor (202) are in electrical contact for an overlapping period of time. A differential output (228) from the amplifier (222) is digitized, and used to form an image.

Abstract: A circuit for resetting and reading out a pixel cell of a CMOS image sensor is proposed. The circuit allows for reading out the pixel cell at least two times during a main integration interval, thereby generating at least two pixel signals. The circuit further comprises means for combining the at least two pixel signals to an output signal. The means for combining are operable to combine the at least two pixel signals weighted in dependence on a saturation level of the pixel cell. A method for controlling the circuit for reading out the image sensor is also proposed.

Abstract: An image sensor circuit comprises at least one pixel cell for providing an output signal which is variable according to illumination of said pixel cell between a maximum and a minimum level, an analogue-to-digital converter for converting output signals from said pixel cell into digital data, and an offset signal source for providing an offset signal having a level between said maximum and minimum levels. The analogue-to-digital converter is fully differential and is connected to said pixel cell and to said offset signal source.

Abstract: An improved solution for generating depth maps using time-of-flight measurements is described, more specifically a time-of-flight imager and a time-of-flight imaging method with an improved accuracy. A depth correction profile is applied to the measured depth maps, which takes into account propagation delays within an array of pixels of a sensor of the time-of-flight imager.

Abstract: A rotatable disc comprises a first zone in which a plurality of features, e.g. optical filters, are located at uniform angles from each other with respect to an axis of rotation of the disc and a second annular zone comprising sets of adjacent marks of a first type and of a second type. Each set may have a same total circumferential length, but the marks of a given type may have at least two different total circumferential lengths within a set of marks, or may be distinguishable by the relative position of marks of the different type to each other. The adjacent marks of the first and the second type may also form a code pattern that can be used for identifying the features. A method for adjusting the rotational orientation of the disc based on detecting the widths of the sectors is described.

Abstract: In high-end professional video cameras, a triax system transfers various signals back and forth over a single coaxial cable between the camera and a base unit using frequency multiplexing. Current low-cost camera systems transfer several signals as analogue signals over separate wires or cables. However, a standard serial SDI signal from the camera to a base unit replaces the analogue camera CVBS video output signal achieving a maximum data rate of 270 Mbit/s. To improve efficiency, a single SDI or HDSDI connection transmits a digital playback video signal as well as a digital teleprompter video signal from the base unit to the camera. A one-dimensional adaptive dynamic range compression reduces the data word length of the two video signals transmitted via the SDI/HDSDI connection. A smaller data word length is assigned to one of the two video signals than to the data word length of the other one.

Abstract: An image sensor circuit comprises at least one pixel cell for providing an output signal which is variable according to illumination of said pixel cell between a maximum and a minimum level, an analogue-to-digital converter for converting output signals from said pixel cell into digital data, and an offset signal source for providing an offset signal having a level between said maximum and minimum levels. The analogue-to-digital converter is fully differential and is connected to said pixel cell and to said offset signal source.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for detachable mechanical and electrical and/or optical connection of a recording appliance to an imaging apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mounting board and an insert board, which is pushed into the mounting board. In this case, the mounting board has guides on opposite sides, which hold the insert board in an interlocking manner in the pushed-in state. Electrical and/or optical contacts on the mounting board and on the insert board are connected to one another when the insert board has been pushed essentially completely into the guides on the mounting board. In one embodiment, a locking lever is provided, which converts a rotary movement of the locking lever to a linear movement of the insert board in the insertion direction. A latching position is provided in an end position of the locking lever.

Abstract: A circuit for resetting and reading out a pixel cell of a CMOS image sensor is proposed. The circuit allows for reading out the pixel cell at least two times during a main integration interval, thereby generating at least two pixel signals. The circuit further comprises means for combining the at least two pixel signals to an output signal. The means for combining are operable to combine the at least two pixel signals weighted in dependence on a saturation level of the pixel cell. A method for controlling the circuit for reading out the image sensor is also proposed.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for detachable mechanical and electrical and/or optical connection of a recording appliance to an imaging apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mounting board and an insert board, which is pushed into the mounting board. In this case, the mounting board has guides on opposite sides, which hold the insert board in an interlocking manner in the pushed-in state. Electrical and/or optical contacts on the mounting board and on the insert board are connected to one another when the insert board has been pushed essentially completely into the guides on the mounting board. In one embodiment, a locking lever is provided, which converts a rotary movement of the locking lever to a linear movement of the insert board in the insertion direction. A latching position is provided in an end position of the locking lever.

Abstract: In high-end professional video cameras a triax system is used for transferring various signals back and forth over a single coaxial cable between the camera and a base unit using frequency multiplexing. In low-cost camera systems the analogue camera CVBS video output signal is replaced by a standard serial SDI signal from the camera to a base unit, having a maximum data rate of e.g. 270 Mbit/s for standard definition TV signals. According to the invention, the camera/base unit system is locked via SDI channels whereby the base unit video output is synchronised to the base unit Genlock signal. The camera unit and the base unit each use a local oscillator and H and V counters, whereby in the camera unit only a frequency locking is carried out.

Abstract: Image sensor, which comprises a plurality of pixels arranged as a pixel array with rows and columns and at least one read-out arrangement for reading out the pixels row by row. The columns are grouped into blocks with a certain number N of columns. Each read-out arrangement comprises N column read out circuits and an addressing circuit for with at least two groups of addressing lines for addressing the blocks. The blocks are selectively addressed by the groups of addressing lines in a way that a read-out sequence of blocks addressed by the groups is continuous across all blocks.

Abstract: A rotatable disc comprises a first zone in which a plurality of features, e.g. optical filters, are located at uniform angles from each other with respect to an axis of rotation of the disc and a second annular zone comprising sets of adjacent marks of a first type and of a second type. Each set may have a same total circumferential length, but the marks of a given type may have at least two different total circumferential lengths within a set of marks, or may be distinguishable by the relative position of marks of the different type to each other. The adjacent marks of the first and the second type may also form a code pattern that can be used for identifying the features. A method for adjusting the rotational orientation of the disc based on detecting the widths of the sectors is described.

Abstract: In high-end professional video cameras a triax system is used for transferring various signals back and forth over a single coaxial cable between the camera and a base unit using frequency multiplexing. In current low-cost camera systems several signals are transferred as analogue signals over separate wires or cables. However, the analogue camera CVBS video output signal is replaced by a standard serial SDI signal from the camera to a base unit, achieving a maximum data rate of 270 Mbit/s. According to the invention, a single SDI or HDSDI connection is used for transmitting a digital playback video signal as well as a digital teleprompter video signal from the base unit to the camera. A one-dimensional adaptive dynamic range compression is used to reduce the data word length of the two video signals to be transmitted via the SDI/HDSDI connection. To one of the two video signals a smaller data word length is assigned than to the data word length of the other one.

Abstract: In high-end professional video cameras a triax system is used for transferring various signals back and forth over a single coaxial cable between the camera and a base unit using frequency multiplexing. In low-cost camera systems the analogue camera CVBS video output signal is replaced by a standard serial SDI signal from the camera to a base unit, having a maximum data rate of e.g. 270 Mbit/s for standard definition TV signals. According to the invention, the camera/base unit system is locked via SDI channels whereby the base unit video output is synchronised to the base unit Genlock signal. The camera unit and the base unit each use a local oscillator and H and V counters, whereby in the camera unit only a frequency locking is carried out.