Abstract: An apparatus for forming a color image of a scene and a method for utilizing that apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a first photodetector includes first main photodiode and a first floating diffusion node. The first main photodiode is characterized by a first light conversion efficiency as a function of wavelength of a light signal incident thereon. The first floating diffusion node includes a parasitic photodiode characterized by a second light conversion efficiency as a function of the wavelength. The second light conversion efficiency is different from the first light conversion efficiency as a function of wavelength. A controller generates an intensity of light in each of a plurality of wavelength bands for the pixel sensor utilizing a measurement of the light signal by each of the first main photodiode and the first parasitic photodiode in that photodetector.

Abstract: A low-noise amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier includes a signal amplifier having an amplifier signal output, a first filter capacitor, a buffer amplifier having a buffer amplifier input and a buffer amplifier output; and a switching network. The first filter capacitor has first and second terminals. The second terminal is connected to a power rail. The amplifier signal output is connected to the buffer amplifier input by a first direct current path and the buffer amplifier output to the first terminal of the first filter capacitor by a second direct current path during a first time period. The amplifier signal output is connected directly to the first terminal of the first filter capacitor by a third direct current path during a second time period, and the amplifier signal output to the first terminal of the first filter capacitor through a resistor during a third time period.

Abstract: An imaging array and a method of operating an imaging array are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of pixel sensors. At least one of the pixel sensors includes a photodiode, and a transfer gate connecting the photodiode to a floating diffusion node, a reset circuit, and a buffer adapted to generate a voltage indicative of a potential on the floating diffusion node on a bit line. The imaging array also includes a signal generator and a controller. The signal generator controls the potential at which electrons in the photodiode well are transferred to the floating diffusion node well. The controller causes the transfer gate signal generator to lower the potential on the transfer gate during an integration period such that electrons will be transferred from the photodiode well to the floating diffusion node well if the photodiode potential is less than the floating diffusion node potential.

Abstract: An imaging array and a pixel sensor are disclosed. One of the pixel sensors in the imaging array includes a photodiode having a cathode connected to an electron storage node and an anode connected to a hole storage node. An overflow path connects the electron storage node via an overflow gate that allows electrons to leak off of the electron storage node into the overflow path if the electron storage node has a potential less than a leakage potential. A floating diffusion node is connected to the electron storage node by a transfer gate and the overflow path by an overflow path gate. A hole storage node reset gate connects the hole storage node to ground. A hole storage capacitor is connected between the hole storage node and ground, and an overflow path coupling capacitor connects the hole storage node to the overflow path.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a color image of a scene and a method for utilizing that apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a first photodetector includes first main photodiode and a first floating diffusion node. The first main photodiode is characterized by a first light conversion efficiency as a function of wavelength of a light signal incident thereon. The first floating diffusion node includes a parasitic photodiode characterized by a second light conversion efficiency as a function of the wavelength. The second light conversion efficiency is different from the first light conversion efficiency as a function of wavelength. A controller generates an intensity of light in each of a plurality of wavelength bands for the pixel sensor utilizing a measurement of the light signal by each of the first main photodiode and the first parasitic photodiode in that photodetector.

Abstract: An imaging array and a pixel sensor are disclosed. One of the pixel sensors in the imaging array includes a photodiode having a cathode connected to an electron storage node and an anode connected to a hole storage node. An overflow path connects the electron storage node via an overflow gate that allows electrons to leak off of the electron storage node into the overflow path if the electron storage node has a potential less than a leakage potential. A floating diffusion node is connected to the electron storage node by a transfer gate and the overflow path by an overflow path gate. A hole storage node reset gate connects the hole storage node to ground. A hole storage capacitor is connected between the hole storage node and ground, and an overflow path coupling capacitor connects the hole storage node to the overflow path.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking moving pictures, a method for taking moving pictures, and a novel pixel sensor array are disclosed. The apparatus includes a rectangular imaging array, a plurality of column processing circuits, and a controller. The rectangular imaging array is characterized by a plurality of rows and columns of UHDR pixel sensors and a plurality of readout lines, and a plurality of row select lines. Each column processing circuit is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of readout lines. The controller causes the rectangular imaging array to measure a plurality of images of a scene that is illuminated by a pulsating light source characterized by an illumination period and a dark period. Each of the images is generated in a frame period which includes an exposure period and a dead period, the dead period being less than the dark period.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for using the same that are adapted for backside illuminated imaging arrays utilizing a global shutter are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of pixel sensors having an ordered array of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a main photodiode and a correction photodiode. A controller resets all of the main photodiodes at a first time that is the same for all of the pixel sensors, resets all of the correction photodiodes at a second time that is the same for all of the pixel sensors after the first time, and sequentially reads out the pixel sensors. The pixel sensor is read out at a third time that is different for different ones of the pixel sensors. A correction charge is measured that corrects for the different readout times.

Abstract: A system produces an interpolated luminance-balanced monochrome image from a Red-Clear-Clear-Clear (RCCC) pattern image. It may include an imager having a RCCC pattern filter array. There is an interpolation processing module with one or more processors processing sampled, red filtered image pixels. A red plane is interpolated using the sampled, red filtered pixels, producing an interpolated red for the pixels. The interpolated red pixels are subtracted from the sampled clear pixels, producing a “Clear minus Red” (“C?R”) plane. A C?R value is interpolated for the red filtered pixels. The interpolated C?R value is added to the sampled red pixels, and the monochrome image is output, where the luminance is balanced across the pixels, especially in low and very light environments.

Abstract: A system produces an interpolated luminance-balanced monochrome image from a Red-Clear-Clear-Clear (RCCC) pattern image. It may include an imager having a RCCC pattern filter array. There is an interpolation processing module with one or more processors processing sampled, red filtered image pixels. A red plane is interpolated using the sampled, red filtered pixels, producing an interpolated red for the pixels. The interpolated red pixels are subtracted from the sampled clear pixels, producing a “Clear minus Red” (“C?R”) plane. A C?R value is interpolated for the red filtered pixels. The interpolated C?R value is added to the sampled red pixels, and the monochrome image is output, where the luminance is balanced across the pixels, especially in low and very light environments.

Abstract: A low-noise amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier includes a signal amplifier having an amplifier signal output, a first filter capacitor, a buffer amplifier having a buffer amplifier input and a buffer amplifier output; and a switching network. The first filter capacitor has first and second terminals. The second terminal is connected to a power rail. The amplifier signal output is connected to the buffer amplifier input by a first direct current path and the buffer amplifier output to the first terminal of the first filter capacitor by a second direct current path during a first time period. The amplifier signal output is connected directly to the first terminal of the first filter capacitor by a third direct current path during a second time period, and the amplifier signal output to the first terminal of the first filter capacitor through a resistor during a third time period.

Abstract: A LIDAR system and a method for operating a LIDAR system are disclosed. The LIDAR system broadly includes a transmitter that that emits a light pulse in response to a launch signal, a receiver that detects light pulses and determines a time of arrival for each detected light pulse; and a controller that generates an ordered sequence of frames. The controller generates a launch signal at the start of each frame and records information specifying a time of arrival relative to the start time for all light pulses received by the receiver until a stop time. After the stop time, the controller waits for the interframe delay time before generating another launch signal. The interframe delay time is different for each frame in the sequence of frames. The controller determines a distance between the transmitter and an object from the recorded information.

Abstract: A LIDAR system and a method for operating a LIDAR system are disclosed. The LIDAR system broadly includes a transmitter that that emits a light pulse in response to a launch signal, a receiver that detects light pulses and determines a time of arrival for each detected light pulse; and a controller that generates an ordered sequence of frames. The controller generates a launch signal at the start of each frame and records information specifying a time of arrival relative to the start time for all light pulses received by the receiver until a stop time. After the stop time, the controller waits for the interframe delay time before generating another launch signal. The interframe delay time is different for each frame in the sequence of frames. The controller determines a distance between the transmitter and an object from the recorded information.

Abstract: An imaging array having a plurality of pixel sensors connected to a bit line is disclosed. Each pixel sensor includes a capacitive overflow pixel sensor characterized by an overflow capacitor having a switching terminal, and a floating diffusion node, a buffer amplifier that connects the floating diffusion node to a bit line in response to row select signal, and a switch that connects the switching terminal to either ground or a boost voltage. The imaging array also includes a switch controller that controls the switch and is connected to the bit line, the switch controller determining a voltage on the bit line, the switch controller connecting the switching terminal to the boost voltage during an exposure of the pixel sensor to light and to either ground or the boost voltage during a readout of charge stored on the overflow capacitor depending on the voltage on the bit line.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for using the same that are adapted for backside illuminated imaging arrays utilizing a global shutter are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of pixel sensors having an ordered array of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a main photodiode and a correction photodiode. A controller resets all of the main photodiodes at a first time that is the same for all of the pixel sensors, resets all of the correction photodiodes at a second time that is the same for all of the pixel sensors after the first time, and sequentially reads out the pixel sensors. The pixel sensor is read out at a third time that is different for different ones of the pixel sensors. A correction charge is measured that corrects for the different readout times.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking moving pictures, a method for taking moving pictures, and a novel pixel sensor array are disclosed. The apparatus includes a rectangular imaging array, a plurality of column processing circuits, and a controller. The rectangular imaging array is characterized by a plurality of rows and columns of UHDR pixel sensors and a plurality of readout lines, and a plurality of row select lines. Each column processing circuit is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of readout lines. The controller causes the rectangular imaging array to measure a plurality of images of a scene that is illuminated by a pulsating light source characterized by an illumination period and a dark period. Each of the images is generated in a frame period which includes an exposure period and a dead period, the dead period being less than the dark period.

Abstract: The present invention includes an imaging apparatus that includes a two dimensional array of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a main photodiode, an autofocus photodiode, and a microlens that concentrates light onto the main photodiode and the autofocus photodiode. The imaging array of pixel sensors includes first and second autofocus arrays of pixel sensors, the pixel sensors in the first autofocus array of pixel sensors having the autofocus photodiodes positioned such that each autofocus photodiode receives light preferentially from one half of the microlens in that pixel sensor, and the pixel sensors in the second autofocus array of pixel sensors having each autofocus photodiode positioned such that each autofocus photodiode receives light preferentially from the other half of the microlens in that pixel sensor. The autofocus photodiodes can be constructed from the parasitic photodiodes associated with the floating diffusion nodes in each pixel sensor or conventional photodiodes.

Abstract: The present invention includes an imaging apparatus that includes a two dimensional array of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a main photodiode, an autofocus photodiode, and a microlens that concentrates light onto the main photodiode and the autofocus photodiode. The imaging array of pixel sensors includes first and second autofocus arrays of pixel sensors, the pixel sensors in the first autofocus array of pixel sensors having the autofocus photodiodes positioned such that each autofocus photodiode receives light preferentially from one half of the microlens in that pixel sensor, and the pixel sensors in the second autofocus array of pixel sensors having each autofocus photodiode positioned such that each autofocus photodiode receives light preferentially from the other half of the microlens in that pixel sensor. The autofocus photodiodes can be constructed from the parasitic photodiodes associated with the floating diffusion nodes in each pixel sensor or conventional photodiodes.

Abstract: An apparatus having a rectangular imaging array characterized by a plurality of pixel sensors and a plurality of readout lines is disclosed. The apparatus has a plurality of column processing circuits, each column processing circuit being connected to a corresponding one of the readout lines and a plurality of signal injectors, one signal injector being connected to each of the readout lines. Each signal injector causes one of a predetermined number of voltages to be coupled to that readout line. An exposure for each of the pixel sensors is determined during image recording periods. The signal injectors inject a plurality of calibration voltages into the readout lines during calibration periods, and determines a gain function of an amplifier in one of the column processing circuits by measuring an output of the amplifier for the plurality of calibration voltages, the calibration period is between the imaging recording periods.

Abstract: An apparatus having a rectangular imaging array characterized by a plurality of pixel sensors and a plurality of readout lines is disclosed. The apparatus has a plurality of column processing circuits, each column processing circuit being connected to a corresponding one of the readout lines and a plurality of signal injectors, one signal injector being connected to each of the readout lines. Each signal injector causes one of a predetermined number of voltages to be coupled to that readout line. An exposure for each of the pixel sensors is determined during image recording periods. The signal injectors inject a plurality of calibration voltages into the readout lines during calibration periods, and determines a gain function of an amplifier in one of the column processing circuits by measuring an output of the amplifier for the plurality of calibration voltages, the calibration period is between the imaging recording periods.