Abstract: There is provided a circuit to improve the sensing efficiency of pixels that uses the induction effect of a capacitor to duplicate a voltage deviation caused by additional electrons and uses a circuit to cancel out the voltage deviation during reading pixel data thereby improving the sensing efficiency.

Abstract: There is provided an optical sensor including a pixel matrix and a readout circuit. The pixel matrix includes multiple pixels arranged in a matrix, and each of the multiple pixels outputs temporal difference pixel data The readout circuit sequentially reads the pixel matrix using a readout block, and performs the hybrid difference calculation on the temporal difference pixel data of pixels within the readout block. Accordingly, the output of the readout circuit is the data accomplishing temporal difference and spatial difference.

Abstract: There is provided an optical sensor including a pixel matrix and a readout circuit. The pixel matrix includes multiple pixels arranged in a matrix, and each of the multiple pixels outputs temporal difference pixel data. The readout circuit sequentially reads the pixel matrix using a readout block, and performs the hybrid difference calculation on the temporal difference pixel data of pixels within the readout block. Accordingly, the output of the readout circuit is the data accomplishing temporal difference and spatial difference.

Abstract: A method of image sensor apparatus includes: providing pixel array having pixel units arranged in M rows and N columns; providing N parallel column readout circuits each being arranged for reading out pixel data of one corresponding column; disposing a horizontal shift register in row direction coupled to the N parallel column readout circuits, to receive a pulse signal and a clock signal, sequentially shift a phase of the pulse signal according to the clock signal, and scan a corresponding column according to the shifted phase of the pulse signal; and using a column select circuit having N latches to receive a power down digital control signal transmitted from a microcontroller wherein the power down digital control signal is used to disable at least one column readout circuit to enable and select a portion of the set of N parallel column readout circuits.

Abstract: A method of image sensor apparatus includes: providing pixel array having pixel units arranged in M rows and N columns; providing N parallel column readout circuits each being arranged for reading out pixel data of one corresponding column; disposing a horizontal shift register in row direction coupled to the N parallel column readout circuits, to receive a pulse signal and a clock signal, sequentially shift a phase of the pulse signal according to the clock signal, and scan a corresponding column according to the shifted phase of the pulse signal; and using a column select circuit having N latches to receive a power down digital control signal transmitted from a microcontroller wherein the power down digital control signal is used to disable at least one column readout circuit to enable and select a portion of the set of N parallel column readout circuits.

Abstract: An event detection device includes a sensor array and a processor. The sensor array is adapted to capture one image. The processor is electrically connected with the sensor array. The processor is adapted to identify if the captured image contains a specific pattern, and trigger an external device to determine whether the specific pattern matches a predetermined feature when the captured image contains the specific pattern.

Abstract: An image sensor including a first pixel circuit, a second pixel circuit, a first readout line, a second readout line, a first readout circuit, a second readout circuit and an average switch is provided. The first and second pixel circuits are in two columns of a pixel array. The first readout line transmits pixel data of the first pixel circuit to the first readout circuit. The second readout line transmits pixel data of the second pixel circuit to the second readout circuit. The average switch is arranged between the first and second readout lines and used to electrically connect the first and second readout lines in an average mode to average the pixel data on the first and second readout lines.

Abstract: A digital imaging device including a sensor array, an analog front end and a digital back end. The sensor array is configured to output black pixel data and normal pixel data. The analog front end is configured to amplify the black pixel data and the normal pixel data with a gain, and calibrate the amplified black pixel data and the amplified normal pixel data with a calibration value. The digital back end is configured to digitize the amplified and calibrated black pixel data, calculate a data offset according to digital black pixel data, determine a dynamic adjust scale, calculate the calibration value according to the gain, the data offset and the dynamic adjust scale, and adjust the gain according to the dynamic adjust scale.

Abstract: There is provided a circuit to improve the sensing efficiency of pixels that uses the induction effect of a capacitor to duplicate a voltage deviation caused by additional electrons and uses a circuit to cancel out the voltage deviation during reading pixel data thereby improving the sensing efficiency.

Abstract: A device, for pixel transfer rate boosting, is provided and includes an image sensing array having a plurality of pixel units, in which each of the plurality of pixel units is configured to generate a pixel signal when receiving an electromagnetic energy, a signal buffer circuit, electrically coupled with the image sensing array to receive the pixel signals, a switch circuit electrically coupled with the signal buffer circuit, a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, in which the first terminal electrically couples with the switch circuit and the second terminal connects to a ground, a comparator, electrically coupled with the switch circuit, and a pull-down unit, electrically coupled with the first terminal of the capacitor and the switch circuit. After the switch circuit is turned on, the pull-down unit pulls the plurality of pixel output signals down.

Abstract: An image sensor including a first pixel circuit, a second pixel circuit, a first readout line, a second readout line, a first readout circuit, a second readout circuit and an average switch is provided. The first and second pixel circuits are in two columns of a pixel array. The first readout line transmits pixel data of the first pixel circuit to the first readout circuit. The second readout line transmits pixel data of the second pixel circuit to the second readout circuit. The average switch is arranged between the first and second readout lines and used to electrically connect the first and second readout lines in an average mode to average the pixel data on the first and second readout lines.

Abstract: A system and method for image sensing is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a substrate with a pixel region and a logic region. A first resist protect oxide (RPO) is formed over the pixel region, but not over the logic region. Silicide contacts are formed on the top of active devices formed in the pixel region, but not on the surface of the substrate in the pixel region, and silicide contacts are formed both on the top of active devices and on the surface of the substrate in the logic region. A second RPO is formed over the pixel region and the logic region, and a contact etch stop layer is formed over the second RPO. These layers help to reflect light back to the image sensor when light impinges the sensor from the backside of the substrate, and also helps prevent damage that occurs from overetching.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a trigger circuit applied to an electronic apparatus having a plurality of triggers, which includes a trigger switch and a trigger network. The trigger switch, corresponding to one of the plurality of triggers, has a first end and a second end, in which the first end of the trigger switch is connected with a pad, and the second end of the trigger switch is connected with a voltage source having a first voltage value. Further, the trigger network, corresponding to a rest of the plurality of triggers, has at least one trigger sub-circuit electrically connected with the pad, in which the trigger network has an impedance value. When the trigger switch is triggered, due to an impedance value of the trigger network, the first voltage value will be detected at the pad.

Abstract: A digital imaging device including a sensor array, an analog front end and a digital back end. The sensor array is configured to output black pixel data and normal pixel data. The analog front end is configured to amplify the black pixel data and the normal pixel data with a gain, and calibrate the amplified black pixel data and the amplified normal pixel data with a calibration value. The digital back end is configured to digitize the amplified and calibrated black pixel data, calculate a data offset according to digital black pixel data, determine a dynamic adjust scale, calculate the calibration value according to the gain, the data offset and the dynamic adjust scale, and adjust the gain according to the dynamic adjust scale.

Abstract: A sensing pixel array used in an image sensor includes sensing pixel units each including a photodiode, a row reset transistor, a buffer transistor, and a column control transistor at least. Photodiode converts light into a sensing signal. Row reset transistor is coupled to a reference reset signal and photodiode, and is controlled by a row reset signal. Buffer transistor is coupled to the output of photodiode to receive and buffer the sensing signal. Column control transistor is electrically connected to the control end or the output of the buffer transistor and is used as a switch which can be closed or open according to a column control signal to control whether to transfer charge of the reference reset signal to a capacitor when the row reset transistor becomes conductive.

Abstract: A sensing pixel array used in an image sensor includes sensing pixel units each including a photodiode, a row reset transistor, a buffer transistor, and a column control transistor at least. Photodiode converts light into a sensing signal. Row reset transistor is coupled to a reference reset signal and photodiode, and is controlled by a row reset signal. Buffer transistor is coupled to the output of photodiode to receive and buffer the sensing signal. Column control transistor is electrically connected to the control end or the output of the buffer transistor and is used as a switch which can be closed or open according to a column control signal to control whether to transfer charge of the reference reset signal to a capacitor when the row reset transistor becomes conductive.

Abstract: A digital imaging device including a sensor array, an analog front end and a digital back end. The sensor array is configured to output black pixel data and normal pixel data. The analog front end is configured to amplify the black pixel data and the normal pixel data with a gain, and calibrate the amplified black pixel data and the amplified normal pixel data with a calibration value. The digital back end is configured to digitize the amplified and calibrated black pixel data, calculate a data offset according to digital black pixel data, determine a dynamic adjust scale, calculate the calibration value according to the gain, the data offset and the dynamic adjust scale, and adjust the gain according to the dynamic adjust scale.

Abstract: The present invention provides a global shutter high dynamic range pixel and a global shutter high dynamic range image sensor. The global shutter high dynamic range pixel includes: a photoelectric transducer unit, a floating node, a first charge transfer unit, a second charge transfer unit and a pixel signal output unit. The first charge transfer unit includes a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. The MOS capacitor is configured to operably accumulate at least a portion of the charges transferred from the photoelectric transducer unit. The MOS capacitor is turned ON or OFF according to a control signal, thereby forming a gate-induced potential well internally within the MOS capacitor, so as to control the portion of charges.

Abstract: A surge current compensating circuit has a compensating current generation unit, a bias unit, and a switch unit, for compensating a surge current drawn from a supply power after an output signal of a specific circuit transits. The compensating current generation unit is electrically coupled to the output stage of the specific circuit. The bias unit is electrically coupled to the compensating current generation unit through the switch unit. Before the output signal transits, the switch unit is disabled and the compensating current generation unit is enabled, so as to draw the compensating current from the supply power. After the output signal transits, the switch unit is enabled and the compensating current generation unit is disabled, such that the compensating current is not drawn from the supply power.