Abstract: A pixel circuit is provided for use in an image sensor. The pixel circuit includes a photosensitive element configured to generate a current signal in response to brightness of light impinging on the photosensitive element, and a converter configured to receive the current signal from the photosensitive element and generate a voltage signal based on the received current signal. The pixel circuit also includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the converter in series and configured to receive the voltage signal from the converter, and an amplifier electrically coupled, at an input, to the capacitor in series and configured to generate, at an output, an amplified signal based on an output signal from the capacitor, wherein there is no feedback between the output and the input of the amplifier. Further, the pixel circuit includes a reset device configured to reset the amplifier in response to a trigger signal being generated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an event-based image sensor and an event filtering method for use with an event-based image sensor. The event-based image sensor comprises a plurality of pixel circuits forming a pixel array, each pixel circuit comprising a photoreceptor circuit configured to generate a photoreceptor signal derived from a photocurrent generated by a light impinging on a light-sensitive element of the photoreceptor circuit, and a detector configured to detect a change in the photoreceptor signal and to generate an event in response to the detected change in the photoreceptor signal. The event-based image sensor further includes a processing chain and an event filter that is configured to receive the generated event and to accept the received event based on a plurality of conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an event-based image sensor and an event filtering method for use with an event-based image sensor. The event-based image sensor comprises a plurality of pixel circuits forming a pixel array, each pixel circuit comprising a photoreceptor circuit configured to generate a photoreceptor signal derived from a photocurrent generated by a light impinging on a light-sensitive element of the photoreceptor circuit, and a detector configured to detect a change in the photoreceptor signal and to generate an event in response to the detected change in the photoreceptor signa. The event-based image sensor further includes a processing chain and an event filter that is configured to receive the generated event and to accept the received event based on a plurality of conditions.

Abstract: A method for sampling data from pixels of an event vision sensor is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, with a selection circuit, an activation signal from an active pixel of the plurality of pixels of the line, generating, with the selection circuit, an acknowledge signal in response to receiving the activation signal, and sending the acknowledge signal to the plurality of pixels of the line, wherein each pixel of the line is configured to generate a request-reading signal when that pixel is active when receiving the acknowledge signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to image sensors and methods for image sensing. More specifically, and without limitation, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing super-pixels, and implementing and using image sensors with super-pixels. In one implementation, an image sensor includes a plurality of super-pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive element, and a photo-signal converter adapted to provide, on a first output, a current signal linearly proportional to the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element and to provide, on a second output, a voltage signal logarithmic with the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element. Each pixel further includes a detector adapted to generate a trigger signal when a signal of the detector proportional to the voltage signal of the second output of the photo-signal converter exceeds a threshold, and a light-to-time converter adapted to measure and encode, in the time domain, light intensity on the photosensitive element. A light-to-time conversion cycle may be initiated by the light-to-time converter in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to image sensors and methods for image sensing. More specifically, and without limitation, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing super-pixels, and implementing and using image sensors with super-pixels. In one implementation, an image sensor includes a plurality of super-pixels.

Abstract: An event-based image sensor is provided that includes a plurality of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit includes a photoreceptor circuit with a light-sensitive element configured for delivering at an output a photoreceptor current, an analog bus, and a bank of current memory cells connected to the analog bus. An output of the photoreceptor circuit is selectively connected to the analog bus. Each current memory cell is adapted to store an electric current flowing in the analog bus and to deliver an electric current stored within the current memory cell. Each pixel circuit may further include a current comparator including a current sign detector connected to the analog bus and configured for comparing a value of a compared electric current resulting from a difference between the photoreceptor current and a previous photoreceptor current stored in a current memory cell. At least one storage cell may also be provided that has a state conditioned by the output of the current sign detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to pixel circuit and an operating method thereof, comprising—a front-end circuit (1) comprising a single photodiode (PD) and having an output (4), said front-end circuit (1) being configured for delivering on said output a photoreceptor signal derived from a light exposure of said single photodiode (PD);—a transient detector circuit (2) configured for detecting a change in said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4);—an exposure measurement circuit (3) configured for measuring said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4) upon detection by the transient detector circuit (2) of a change in the photoreceptor signal.

Abstract: A circuit includes a selection circuit electrically coupled to pixels of a line of an event vision sensor. The selection circuit is configured to receive an activation signal from an active pixel of the line, generate an acknowledge signal in response to receiving the activation signal, and send the acknowledge signal to the pixels of the line. The circuit also includes a control circuit that is electrically coupled to a pixel having a largest distance to the selection circuit among the pixels of the line. The control circuit is configured to receive the acknowledge signal from the selection circuit, and generate a process-reading signal in response to receiving the acknowledge signal. The circuit also includes an interface circuit electrically coupled to the pixels of the line and configured to cause a reset of the selection circuit, the control circuit, and the pixels of the line after receiving the process-reading signal.

Abstract: A pixel circuit is provided for use in an image sensor. The pixel circuit includes a photosensitive element configured to generate a current signal in response to brightness of light impinging on the photosensitive element, and a converter configured to receive the current signal from the photosensitive element and generate a voltage signal based on the received current signal. The pixel circuit also includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the converter in series and configured to receive the voltage signal from the converter, and an amplifier electrically coupled, at an input, to the capacitor in series and configured to generate, at an output, an amplified signal based on an output signal from the capacitor, wherein there is no feedback between the output and the input of the amplifier. Further, the pixel circuit includes a reset device configured to reset the amplifier in response to a trigger signal being generated.

Abstract: A circuit includes a selection circuit electrically coupled to pixels of a line of an event vision sensor. The selection circuit is configured to receive an activation signal from an active pixel of the line, generate an acknowledge signal in response to receiving the activation signal, and send the acknowledge signal to the pixels of the line. The circuit also includes a control circuit that is electrically coupled to a pixel having a largest distance to the selection circuit among the pixels of the line. The control circuit is configured to receive the acknowledge signal from the selection circuit, and generate a process-reading signal in response to receiving the acknowledge signal. The circuit also includes an interface circuit electrically coupled to the pixels of the line and configured to cause a reset of the selection circuit, the control circuit, and the pixels of the line after receiving the process-reading signal.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive element, and a photo-signal converter adapted to provide, on a first output, a current signal linearly proportional to the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element and to provide, on a second output, a voltage signal logarithmic with the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element. Each pixel further includes a detector adapted to generate a trigger signal when a signal of the detector proportional to the voltage signal of the second output of the photo-signal converter exceeds a threshold, and a light-to-time converter adapted to measure and encode, in the time domain, light intensity on the photosensitive element. A light-to-time conversion cycle may be initiated by the light-to-time converter in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to image sensors and methods for image sensing. More specifically, and without limitation, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing super-pixels, and implementing and using image sensors with super-pixels. In one implementation, an image sensor includes a plurality of super-pixels.

Abstract: An event-based image sensor is provided that includes a plurality of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit includes a photoreceptor circuit with a light-sensitive element configured for delivering at an output a photoreceptor current, an analog bus, and a bank of current memory cells connected to the analog bus. An output of the photoreceptor circuit is selectively connected to the analog bus. Each current memory cell is adapted to store an electric current flowing in the analog bus and to deliver an electric current stored within the current memory cell. Each pixel circuit may further include a current comparator including a current sign detector connected to the analog bus and configured for comparing a value of a compared electric current resulting from a difference between the photoreceptor current and a previous photoreceptor current stored in a current memory cell. At least one storage cell may also be provided that has a state conditioned by the output of the current sign detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to pixel circuit and an operating method thereof, comprising—a front-end circuit (1) comprising a single photodiode (PD) and having an output (4), said front-end circuit (1) being configured for delivering on said output a photoreceptor signal derived from a light exposure of said single photodiode (PD);—a transient detector circuit (2) configured for detecting a change in said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4);—an exposure measurement circuit (3) configured for measuring said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4) upon detection by the transient detector circuit (2) of a change in the photoreceptor signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to pixel circuit and an operating method thereof, comprising a front-end circuit comprising a single photodiode and having an output, said front-end circuit being configured for delivering on said output a photoreceptor signal derived from a light exposure of said single photodiode; a transient detector circuit configured for detecting a change in said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output; an exposure measurement circuit configured for measuring said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output upon detection by the transient detector circuit of a change in the photoreceptor signal. The invention also relates to an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel circuits.

Abstract: A pixel cell circuit comprises an electrode, one or more main photosensitive elements electrically coupled to the electrode for outputting a stimulation signal to the electrode responsive to light illumination, and a shunt arrangement comprising a shunt switch electrically coupled in parallel across the one or more photosensitive elements, and a control arrangement operatively coupled to the shunt switch and configured for placing the shunt switch in an open state responsive to incident light received at the pixel cell and placing the shunt switch in a closed state if no incident light is received at the pixel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to pixel circuit and an operating method thereof, comprising a front-end circuit comprising a single photodiode and having an output, said front-end circuit being configured for delivering on said output a photoreceptor signal derived from a light exposure of said single photodiode; a transient detector circuit configured for detecting a change in said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output; an exposure measurement circuit configured for measuring said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output upon detection by the transient detector circuit of a change in the photoreceptor signal. The invention also relates to an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel circuits.

Abstract: The invention relates to pixel circuit and an operating method thereof, comprising a front-end circuit comprising a single photodiode and having an output, said front-end circuit being configured for delivering on said output a photoreceptor signal derived from a light exposure of said single photodiode; a transient detector circuit configured for detecting a change in said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output; an exposure measurement circuit configured for measuring said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output upon detection by the transient detector circuit of a change in the photoreceptor signal. The invention also relates to an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel circuits.