Patents by Inventor Craig M. Smith
Craig M. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10154220Abstract: Multiple image data subframes corresponding to respective portions of an exposure interval are generated within a sensor device of an image system. Depending on whether the exposure interval exceeds one or more exposure time thresholds, data representative multiple image data subframes are output from the image sensor device in one of at least two formats, including a first format in which each of the subframes of image data is output in its entirety, and a second format in which a logical combination of at least two of the subframes of image data is output instead of the at least two of the subframes of image data such that the total volume of image data output from the image sensor device is reduced relative to the first format.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Jay Endsley, Michael Guidash, Craig M. Smith
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Patent number: 10136090Abstract: An image sensor architecture with multi-bit sampling is implemented within an image sensor system. A pixel signal produced in response to light incident upon a photosensitive element is converted to a multiple-bit digital value representative of the pixel signal. If the pixel signal exceeds a sampling threshold, the photosensitive element is reset. During an image capture period, digital values associated with pixel signals that exceed a sampling threshold are accumulated into image data.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Michael Guidash, Song Xue, Maxim Smirnov, Craig M. Smith, Jay Endsley, James E. Harris
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Patent number: 10104318Abstract: A pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor is exposed to light representative of a scene during a first frame interval and then oversampled a first number of times within the first frame interval to generate a corresponding first number of frames of image data from which a first output image may be constructed. One or more of the first number of frames of image data are evaluated to determine whether a range of luminances in the scene warrants adjustment of an oversampling factor from the first number to a second number, if so, the oversampling factor is adjusted such that the pixel array is oversampled the second number of times within a second frame interval to generate a corresponding second number of frames of image data from which a second output image may be constructed.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Frank Armstrong, Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, James E. Harris, John Ladd, Michael Guidash
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Publication number: 20180270432Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Alexander C. Schneider
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Patent number: 10070084Abstract: A pixel within a pixel array of an integrated-circuit image sensor outputs an analog signal representative of accumulated photocharge. First and second analog-to-digital conversions of the analog signal are initiated while the pixel is outputting the analog signal, the first analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a low-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel and the second analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a brighter-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, John Ladd, Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith
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Publication number: 20180124343Abstract: Multiple image data subframes corresponding to respective portions of an exposure interval are generated within a sensor device of an image system. Depending on whether the exposure interval exceeds one or more exposure time thresholds, data representative multiple image data subframes are output from the image sensor device in one of at least two formats, including a first format in which each of the subframes of image data is output in its entirety, and a second format in which a logical combination of at least two of the subframes of image data is output instead of the at least two of the subframes of image data such that the total volume of image data output from the image sensor device is reduced relative to the first format.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Jay Endsley, Michael Guidash, Craig M. Smith
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Patent number: 9894304Abstract: Photocharge is integrated within a first plurality of pixels of an integrated-circuit image sensor during a first exposure interval. A read-out signal is output from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels upon conclusion of the first exposure interval, each read-out signal indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within the corresponding pixel during the first exposure interval. Photocharge is also integrated within a second plurality of pixels during a second exposure interval that transpires concurrently with the first exposure interval and has a duration not more than half the duration of the first exposure interval. A read-out signal is output from each pixel of the second plurality of pixels at least twice with respect to the second exposure interval, with each such read-out signal indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within the corresponding pixel during at least a portion of the second exposure interval.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Thomas Vogelsang, Jay Endsley, Michael T. Ching
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Publication number: 20170310910Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, James E. Harris
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Publication number: 20170214869Abstract: A sequence of control voltage levels are applied to a control signal line capacitively coupled to a floating diffusion node of a pixel to sequentially adjust a voltage level of the floating diffusion node. A pixel output signal representative of the voltage level of the floating diffusion node is compared with a reference voltage to identify a first control voltage level of the sequence of control voltage levels for which the voltage level of the floating diffusion node exceeds the reference voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: John LADD, Michael GUIDASH, Craig M. SMITH, Thomas VOGELSANG, Jay ENDSLEY, Michael T. CHING, James E. HARRIS
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Publication number: 20170195596Abstract: In an integrated-circuit image sensor having a pixel array, a first subframe readout policy is selected from among a plurality of subframe readout policies, each of the subframe readout policies specifying a first number of subframes of image data to be readout from the pixel array for each output image frame and respective exposure durations for each of the first number of subframes of image data, wherein a shortest one of the exposure durations is uniform for each of the subframe readout policies. Each of the first number of subframes of image data is read out from the pixel array following the respective exposure durations thereof while applying a respective analog readout gain. The analog readout gain applied during readout of at least a first subframe of the first number of subframes is scaled according to a ratio of the shortest one of the exposure durations to the exposure duration of the first subframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith
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Patent number: 9681071Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, James E. Harris
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Publication number: 20170099447Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, James E. Harris
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Patent number: 9521351Abstract: Signals representative of total photocharge integrated within respective image-sensor pixels are read out of the pixels after a first exposure interval that constitutes a first fraction of a frame interval. Signals in excess of a threshold level are read out of the pixels after an ensuing second exposure interval that constitutes a second fraction of the frame interval, leaving residual photocharge within the pixels. After a third exposure interval that constitutes a third fraction of the frame interval, signals representative of a combination of at least the residual photocharge and photocharge integrated within the pixels during the third exposure interval are read out of the pixels.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Alexander C. Schneider
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Patent number: 9491391Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, James E. Harris
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Publication number: 20160323524Abstract: A pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor is exposed to light representative of a scene during a first frame interval and then oversampled a first number of times within the first frame interval to generate a corresponding first number of frames of image data from which a first output image may be constructed. One or more of the first number of frames of image data are evaluated to determine whether a range of luminances in the scene warrants adjustment of an oversampling factor from the first number to a second number, if so, the oversampling factor is adjusted such that the pixel array is oversampled the second number of times within a second frame interval to generate a corresponding second number of frames of image data from which a second output image may be constructed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Frank Armstrong, Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, James E. Harris, John Ladd, Michael Guidash
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Patent number: 9432597Abstract: An integrated-circuit image sensor generates, as constituent reference voltages of a first voltage ramp, a first sequence of linearly related reference voltages followed by a second sequence of exponentially related reference voltages. The integrated-circuit image sensor compares the constituent reference voltages of the first voltage ramp with a first signal level representative of photocharge integrated within a pixel of the image sensor to identify a first reference voltage of the constituent reference voltages that is exceeded by the first signal level.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Michael Guidash, Thomas Vogelsang, Jay Endsley, James E. Harris, Craig M. Smith, John Ladd, Michael T. Ching
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Publication number: 20160234447Abstract: A pixel in an integrated-circuit image sensor is enabled to output, throughout a sampling interval, an analog signal having an amplitude dependent, at least in part, on photocharge integrated within a photosensitive element of the pixel. A plurality of samples of the analog signal are generated during an initial portion of the sampling interval that is shorter than a settling time for a maximum possible level of the analog signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Michael Guidash, Craig M. Smith, Jay Endsley
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Publication number: 20160198108Abstract: A pixel within a pixel array of an integrated-circuit image sensor outputs an analog signal representative of accumulated photocharge. First and second analog-to-digital conversions of the analog signal are initiated while the pixel is outputting the analog signal, the first analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a low-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel and the second analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a brighter-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, John Ladd, Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith
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Patent number: 9264639Abstract: A control pulse is generated a first control signal line coupled to a transfer gate of a pixel to enable photocharge accumulated within a photosensitive element of the pixel to be transferred to a floating diffusion node, the first control signal line having a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. A feedthrough compensation pulse is generated on a second signal line of the pixel array that also has a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. The feedthrough compensation pulse is generated with a pulse polarity opposite the pulse polarity of the control pulse and is timed to coincide with the control pulse such that capacitive feedthrough of the control pulse to the floating diffusion node is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, John Ladd, Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith
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Publication number: 20160028974Abstract: An integrated-circuit image sensor generates, as constituent reference voltages of a first voltage ramp, a first sequence of linearly related reference voltages followed by a second sequence of exponentially related reference voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Michael Guidash, Thomas Vogelsang, Jay Endsley, James E. Harris, Craig M. Smith, John Ladd, Michael T. Ching