Abstract: This application describes method and apparatus for HDR+ using M×N-cell sensors. An example apparatus includes a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group having M×N pixels configured with color filters of a same color such that the M×N pixels in each pixel group capture a same color. M and N are integers greater than one, and each pixel is represented by a first number of bits. The example apparatus further include one or more processors configured to: capture, through the plurality of pixel groups, a plurality of frames of a scene using a short-exposure setting; merge the plurality of frames into an HDR image; and perform tone mapping on the HDR image to reduce a dynamic range of the super-pixels of the HDR image into a low dynamic range (LDR) image, wherein each pixel in the LDR image is represented with the first number of bits.

Abstract: This application describes systems and methods for detecting depth in deep trench isolation with semiconductor devices using test key transistors. An method comprises: capturing, by an image sensor, an image; generating a plurality of chrominance channels by converting the image into luminance-chrominance space; performing homogeneous region segmentation on the plurality of chrominance channels to generate one or more regions of interest in the plurality of chrominance channels; and projecting the regions of interest onto eigen-illuminant images to determine gray color pixels on the image, wherein the eigen-illuminant images are generated via performing a machine learning algorithm on a training set of images captured by the image sensor.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image switching, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image selection circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and select one of the first image data and the second image data according to one or more image selection criteria and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image selection circuit to transmit the selected one of the first image data and the second image data from the image sensor.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image combining, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image combination circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and combine the first image data and the second image data into combined image data for a single combined image, according to one or more image combination criteria, and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image combination circuit to transmit the combined image data for the combined image from the image sensor.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image switching, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image selection circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and select one of the first image data and the second image data according to one or more image selection criteria and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image selection circuit to transmit the selected one of the first image data and the second image data from the image sensor.

Abstract: A high dynamic range sensing device is disclosed. The device includes an array of Bayer pattern units. Each of the Bayer pattern units comprises a plurality of pixels and each of the plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of photodiodes. At least one of the plurality of photodiodes in each pixel is configured to detect near infrared (NIR) light and at least one of the plurality of photodiodes in each of the plurality of pixels is configured to detect visible light.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image switching, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image selection circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and select one of the first image data and the second image data according to one or more image selection criteria and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image selection circuit to transmit the selected one of the first image data and the second image data from the image sensor.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image combining, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image combination circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and combine the first image data and the second image data into combined image data for a single combined image, according to one or more image combination criteria, and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image combination circuit to transmit the combined image data for the combined image from the image sensor.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image switching, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image selection circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and select one of the first image data and the second image data according to one or more image selection criteria and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image selection circuit to transmit the selected one of the first image data and the second image data from the image sensor.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating a ramping signal. The system includes a plurality of storage circuits each including an input and an output. The output of a previous storage circuit is connected to the input of a next storage circuit. The storage circuits are configured to propagate a first enable signal based on a first control signal. The system also includes a plurality of first current generating circuits. Each first current generating circuit is coupled to the output of a corresponding storage circuit to receive the propagated first enable signal. The first current generating circuits are configured to generate a first current signal based on the propagated first enable signal.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image combining, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image combination circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and combine the first image data and the second image data into combined image data for a single combined image, according to one or more image combination criteria, and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image combination circuit to transmit the combined image data for the combined image from the image sensor.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating a ramping signal. The system includes a plurality of storage circuits each including an input and an output. The output of a previous storage circuit is connected to the input of a next storage circuit. The storage circuits are configured to propagate a first enable signal based on a first control signal. The system also includes a plurality of first current generating circuits. Each first current generating circuit is coupled to the output of a corresponding storage circuit to receive the propagated first enable signal. The first current generating circuits are configured to generate a first current signal based on the propagated first enable signal.

Abstract: A high dynamic range sensing device is disclosed. The device may comprise an array of Bayer-pattern units of color filters, each of the color filters corresponding to a pixel of the sensing device, and each of the color filters overlapping with a plurality of photodiodes.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image switching, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image selection circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and select one of the first image data and the second image data according to one or more image selection criteria and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image selection circuit to transmit the selected one of the first image data and the second image data from the image sensor.

Abstract: A high dynamic range sensing device is disclosed. The device includes an array of Bayer pattern units. Each of the Bayer pattern units comprises a plurality of pixels and each of the plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of photodiodes. At least one of the plurality of photodiodes in each pixel is configured to detect near infrared (NIR) light and at least one of the plurality of photodiodes in each of the plurality of pixels is configured to detect visible light.

Abstract: An image sensor including at least one pixel for collecting charge in its photodiode is provided. The image sensor comprises: a substrate having a first surface on a front side and a second surface on a back side, a photodetector formed in the silicon substrate and having a light-receiving surface on the second surface, and a first layer with positive charges disposed on the second surface, the first layer being configured to form an electron accumulation region at the light-receiving surface of the photodetector for suppressing a dark current at a back side interface of the image sensor. A method for fabricating an image sensor including a first layer with positive charges is also provided.

Abstract: A multispectral sensing device is disclosed. The sensing device may comprise an array of pixel units. Each of the pixel units may comprise four pixels in a two by two configuration. Each of the pixels may comprise a plurality of sub-pixels. Each of the pixel units may include at least one pixel that includes at least two sub-pixels configured to detect light of different wavelengths.

Abstract: A high dynamic range sensing device is disclosed. The device includes an array of Bayer pattern units. Each of the Bayer pattern units comprises a plurality of pixels and each of the plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of photodiodes. At least one of the plurality of photodiodes in each pixel is configured to detect near infrared (NIR) light and at least one of the plurality of photodiodes in each of the plurality of pixels is configured to detect visible light.

Abstract: A multispectral sensing device is disclosed. The sensing device may comprise an array of pixel units. Each of the pixel units may comprise four pixels in a two by two configuration. Each of the pixels may comprise a plurality of sub-pixels. Each of the pixel units may include at least one pixel that includes at least two sub-pixels configured to detect light of different wavelengths.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating a ramping signal. The system includes a plurality of storage circuits each including an input and an output. The output of a previous storage circuit is connected to the input of a next storage circuit. The storage circuits are configured to propagate a first enable signal based on a first control signal. The system also includes a plurality of first current generating circuits. Each first current generating circuit is coupled to the output of a corresponding storage circuit to receive the propagated first enable signal. The first current generating circuits are configured to generate a first current signal based on the propagated first enable signal.