Abstract: A method for writing data to a display includes the steps of receiving a plurality of data bits, where each bit is associated with a different pixel of the display, reading the value of each data bit, determining whether each data bits has an off-state value, and generating a disable signal if each data bit has an off-state value. Responsive to a disable signal, the method further includes suspending the transfer of data to the pixels of the display, turning off a light source (e.g., an LED, laser, etc.) for a time period dependent on the significance of at least one of the data bits, and/or forcing each pixel of the display into an off state for a time period dependent on the significance of at least one of the data bits. A display driver circuit for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for writing data to a display includes the steps of receiving a plurality of data bits, where each bit is associated with a different pixel of the display, reading the value of each data bit, determining whether each data bits has an off-state value, and generating a disable signal if each data bit has an off-state value. Responsive to a disable signal, the method further includes suspending the transfer of data to the pixels of the display, turning off a light source (e.g., an LED, laser, etc.) for a time period dependent on the significance of at least one of the data bits, and/or forcing each pixel of the display into an off state for a time period dependent on the significance of at least one of the data bits. A display driver circuit for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operation of a backside illuminated (BSI) pixel array includes acquiring an image signal with a first photosensitive region of a first pixel within the BSI pixel array. The image signal is generated in response to light incident upon a backside of the first pixel. The image signal acquired by the first photosensitive region is transferred to pixel circuitry of the first pixel disposed on a frontside of the first pixel opposite the backside. The pixel circuitry at least partially overlaps the first photosensitive region of the first pixel and extends over die real estate above a second photosensitive region of a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel such that the second pixel donates die real estate unused by the second pixel to the first pixel to accommodate larger pixel circuitry than would fit within the first pixel.

Abstract: An image sensor includes multiple photoactive pixels and multiple dark reference pixels arranged in rows and columns to form a pixel array. A dark signal is read out of one or more dark reference pixels in each column and used to determine a column offset for one or more columns in the pixel array. Each time an image or frame of an image is read out, the column offset for the one or more columns is updated using dark signals read out from a given number of dark reference pixels. The column offset for the one or more columns is scaled when a gain level is changed for a captured image.

Abstract: Photodetector arrays, image sensors, and other apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a surface to receive light, a plurality of photosensitive regions disposed within a substrate, and a material coupled between the surface and the plurality of photosensitive regions. The material may receive the light. At least some of the light may free electrons in the material. The apparatus may also include a plurality of discrete electron repulsive elements. The discrete electron repulsive elements may be coupled between the surface and the material. Each of the discrete electron repulsive elements may correspond to a different photosensitive region. Each of the discrete electron repulsive elements may repel electrons in the material toward a corresponding photosensitive region. Other apparatus are also disclosed, as are methods of use, methods of fabrication, and systems incorporating such apparatus.

Abstract: A novel method for driving a display having an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of defining a modulation period for a row of pixels, dividing the modulation period into a number of coequal time intervals equal to n times the number of rows in the array, receiving a multi-bit data word that indicates an intensity value, and updating the signal asserted on the pixel during a plurality of the time intervals such that the intensity value is displayed by the pixel. Note that n is an integer greater than zero. The method can be applied to all rows, which can be driven asynchronously. A display driver for performing the novel methods is also disclosed. The present invention facilitates driving the display at 100% bandwidth efficiency during each time interval in the modulation period.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for loading and modulating the pixels of a display in parallel. The method includes the steps of receiving a plurality of data bits, loading the data bits into the storage elements of single-latch pixels in a plurality of rows of the display within a loading period, turning on a light source prior to the end of the loading period when each of the loaded bits has an assertion time greater than or equal to the duration of the loading period. Alternatively, the method includes turning on the light source following the loading period when each of the bits has an assertion time less than the duration of the loading period. Another method includes modulating the light source on and off to conserve power when the light source is supposed to be turned on. A display driver is also disclosed to perform the inventive methods.

Abstract: A method for forming a final digital color image with reduced motion blur including of a processor for providing images having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photo responses, interpolating between the panchromatic pixels and color pixels to produce a panchromatic image and a full-resolution color image to produce a full-resolution synthetic panchromatic image from the full-resolution color image; and developing color correction weights in response to the synthetic panchromatic image and the panchromatic image; and using the color correction weights to modify the full-resolution color image to provide a final color digital image.

Abstract: A novel method for driving a display having an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of defining a modulation period for a row of pixels, dividing the modulation period into a number of coequal time intervals equal to n times the number of rows in the array, receiving a multi-bit data word that indicates an intensity value, and updating the signal asserted on the pixel during a plurality of the time intervals such that the intensity value is displayed by the pixel. Note that n is an integer greater than zero. The method can be applied to all rows, which can be driven asynchronously. A display driver for performing the novel methods is also disclosed. The present invention facilitates driving the display at 100% bandwidth efficiency during each time interval in the modulation period.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first image having sparsely sampled panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photoresponses. The method also includes interpolating the panchromatic pixels to provide a full-resolution panchromatic image. A noise-reduced value for a particular color pixel in the first image is provided by: selecting a neighborhood of color pixels surrounding a particular color pixel, selecting a neighborhood of panchromatic pixels from the full resolution panchromatic image, and using the values from the selected neighborhoods of color and panchromatic pixels to provide the noise reduced value for the particular color pixel.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus having a variable focal length is disclosed. The optical imaging apparatus includes a first double-liquid variable focal lens and a second double-liquid variable focal lens. The first and second double-liquid variable focal lenses are aligned on a common axis and operable to have opposite varying curvatures.

Abstract: A method for producing a digital image from pixel signals captured by an image sensor array is disclosed. The method includes: providing an image sensor array having at least two groups of pixels wherein the pixels of each group are uniformly distributed over the sensor; exposing the image sensor array to scene light and reading pixel charge from only the first group of pixels to produce a first set of pixel signals; after producing the first set of pixel signals, exposing the image sensor array, and then reading pixel charge from the second group of pixels and reading again pixels from the first group to produce a second set of pixel signals; and using the first and second sets of pixel signals to produce the digital image.

Abstract: An image sensor having a pixel array comprises periphery elements formed over a substrate, an oxide layer formed over the periphery elements, an epitaxial layer formed in an opening in the oxide layer in a pixel array area, and a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array formed in the epitaxial layer. Formation of an initial metallization layer occurs after the formation of the photosensitive elements in the epitaxial layer. The photosensitive elements can thus be formed in the epitaxial layer at a higher level within an image sensor stack than that of the initial metallization layer. This advantageously allows stack height and pixel size to be reduced, and fill factor to be increased. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device.

Abstract: A backside illuminated imaging sensor includes a semiconductor having an imaging pixel that includes a photodiode region, an insulator, and a silicide reflective layer. The photodiode region is formed in the frontside of the semiconductor substrate. The insulation layer is formed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The transparent electrode formed on the backside of the insulation layer. The transparent electrode allows light to be transmitted through a back surface of the semiconductor substrate such that when the transparent electrode is biased, carriers are formed in a region in the backside of the semiconductor substrate to reduce leakage current. ARC layers can be used to increase sensitivity of the sensor to selected wavelengths of light.

Abstract: An image sensor for capturing a color image comprising a two dimensional array of light-sensitive pixels including panchromatic pixels and color pixels having at least two different color responses, the pixels being arranged in a repeating pattern having a square minimal repeating unit having at least three rows and three columns, the color pixels being arranged along one of the diagonals of the minimal repeating unit, and all other pixels being panchromatic pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor includes multiple photoactive pixels and multiple dark reference pixels typically arranged in rows and columns to form a pixel array. A dark signal is read out from a given number of dark reference pixels in each column at a first gain level. An initial column offset correction is determined for one or more columns in the pixel array using respective dark signals read out at the first gain level. The initial column offset corrections are repeatedly scaled in response to each detected change to a different gain level. The column offset corrections can be scaled based on an amount of change between each respective different gain level and the first gain level.

Abstract: An image sensing system provides for accurate lens shading correction even when there is significant lens shading asymmetry and non-uniformity. A two-dimensional B-spline technique is used to determine lens shading correction surfaces. The number of zones is selected to achieve accurate correction of center, edge, and corner regions of an image. Separate lens shading correction surfaces are calculated for a set of standard illuminants to permit lens shading correction to be adapted based on the illuminant used to capture the image.

Abstract: A system for capturing a color image, includes a two-dimensional array having first and second groups of pixels, pixels from the first group of pixels have narrower spectral photoresponses than pixels from the second group of pixels and the first group of pixels has individual pixels that have spectral photoresponses that correspond to a set of at least two colors; the placement of the first and second groups of pixels defining a pattern that has a minimal repeating unit including at least twelve pixels, and a plurality of non-overlapping cells wherein each cell has at least two pixels representing a specific color selected from the first group of pixels and a plurality of pixels selected from the second group of pixels; a structure for combining pixels of like color from at least two of the plurality of cells within the minimal repeating unit.

Abstract: A microshutter array has a frame having a light transmissive portion. Linear microshutter elements extend across the light transmissive portion and in parallel to each other. Each microshutter element has a flat blade extended in a length direction and first and second torsion arms extending outwards from each side of the blade in the length direction, the blade extending across the light transmissive portion. A control circuit provides a separately-controlled and independent voltage that is applied to each of the linear microshutter elements. A controller sets the respective voltages applied to each of the linear microshutter elements.

Abstract: Image capture lens modules are presented. An image capture lens module includes a first compound lens with a first element and a second element arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side. The second element is a plano-convex lens with a convex surface facing the image side on a paraxial line. A second compound lens includes a third element, a fourth element, and a fifth element arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side. The third element is a plano-convex lens with a convex surface facing the object side on a paraxial line, and the fifth element is a plano-concave lens with a concave surface facing the image side on a paraxial line. A third compound lens includes a sixth element and a seventh element arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side, wherein the sixth element is a plano-convex lens with a convex surface facing the object side on a paraxial line.