Abstract: A pixel sensor system includes a photo-sensor, an output amplifier, and a feedback capacitor. The photo-sensor is configured to receive photons and to convert the photons into charge. The output amplifier has at least two transistors in a cascoded configuration. The amplifier converts the charge into electronic signal. The feedback capacitor is disposed between the photo-sensor and an input of the output amplifier.

Abstract: Differential non-linearity errors in an A/D converter are corrected by an analog system. The system produces different analog voltages which are used to correct the input voltage to the capacitor. The input voltage is changed by an amount which is effective to correct the C&Dgr;V to be the same as it would have been if the DNL error had not occurred.

Abstract: A single chip camera device is formed on a single substrate including an image acquisition portion for control portion and the timing circuit formed on the substrate. The timing circuit also controls the photoreceptors in a double sampling mode in which are reset level is first read and then after an integration time a charged level is read.

Abstract: A method of determining a range of an object includes emitting light toward a target and sensing light reflected by the target. Signals corresponding to the sensed light are integrated during multiple integration periods. Each integration period is different from other integration periods. A range of the target can be calculated based on the integrated signals. A range finder for performing the foregoing technique also is disclosed.

Abstract: A pixel sensor system that includes a photo-sensor, an output amplifier, and a feedback capacitor. The photo-sensor is configured to receive photons and to convert the photons into charge. The output amplifier has at least two transistors in a cascoded configuration. The amplifier converts the charge into electronic signal. The feedback capacitor is disposed between the photo-sensor and an input of the output amplifier.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor die is fabricated and packaged to allow the light sensitive area of the die to be illuminated from either the front side or the backside, or both. The implementation is achieved using wafer level processing that facilitates photon collection at both surfaces. This approach permits processing apt the wafer level to allow the deposition of color filter arrays (CFA) on either surface. The silicon is thinned and the bump contacts and interconnect lines are relocated away from the image area of the die. The die is covered with an optically transparent material to provide additional support.

Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.

Abstract: Automatically dimming rearview mirrors allow a vehicle operator to view a scene generally behind the operator at a reflectivity level automatically adjusted to ambient light and glare levels. An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having a variably reflective surface, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level.

Abstract: An imaging device integrating a photosensing array, at least one analog-to-digital converter, and an encryption circuit on a single substrate. An optical image can be directly converted into encrypted digital data prior to transmission the image off the chip.

Abstract: An image sensor for capturing and producing an image includes a photoreceptor array that receives light and produces a signal for each pixel of the image. The image sensor further includes amplification circuitry that amplifies the signals. The amplification circuitry provides two distinct gains for each of the signals to produce two output signal levels. The image sensor also includes a fusion module, which combines the two output signal levels into one signal level. Accordingly, overall dynamic range of the image sensor is increased.

Abstract: Differential non-linearity errors in an A/D converter are corrected by an analog system. The system produces different analog voltages which are used to correct the input voltage to the capacitor. The input voltage is changed by an amount which is effective to correct the C&Dgr;V to be the same as it would have been if the DNL error had not occurred.

Abstract: A fully depleted photodiode accumulates charge into both the diode and a separate floating diffusion. The floating diffusion has less capacitance that the overall diode, thereby resulting in a knee-shaped transfer characteristic for charge accumulation. The fully depleted photodiode also include two PN junctions, one near the surface and the other buried below the surface.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle (20) is controlled by a system at least one semiconductor light sensor (170, 170′) having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal (164) indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic (66) varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals (166) based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors (170, 170′) may be varied by changing the integration time (228) for producing charge from light (176) incident on light transducers (178), by selecting between light transducers (178, 490, 500, 504) of different sensitivity within the light sensor (170), by using a light transducer (530) with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light (176), and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors (24,26), headlamps (44), and moisture removal means (38, 40, 42).

Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.

Abstract: Moisture detection permits moisture removal equipment, such as automotive windshield wipers and defogger systems, to be operated automatically. A system for detecting moisture on a surface includes a light emitter directed at the surface. The presence of moisture is based on the intensity of light from the emitter reflected by the surface and received by a light sensor. The light sensor accumulates charge in response to incident light over a variable integration period.

Abstract: A delta-doped hybrid advanced detector (HAD) is provided which combines at least four types of technologies to create a detector for energetic particles ranging in energy from hundreds of electron volts (eV) to beyond several million eV. The detector is sensitive to photons from visible light to X-rays. The detector is highly energy-sensitive from approximately 10 keV down to hundreds of eV. The detector operates with milliwatt power dissipation, and allows non-sequential readout of the array, enabling various advanced readout schemes.

Abstract: A lock in pinned photodiode photodetector includes a plurality of output ports which are sequentially enabled. Each time when the output port is enabled is considered to be a different bin of time. A specified pattern is sent, and the output bins are investigated to look for that pattern. The time when the pattern is received indicates the time of flight.

Abstract: Circuit architecture of an x-y addressable image sensor, in particular to that of a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) active pixel sensor (APS).

Abstract: Single substrate device is formed to have an image acquisition device and a controller. The controller on the substrate controls the system operation.