Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An imaging system includes multiple diffractive optical gratings disposed over a two-dimensional array of photosensitive pixels. The different gratings present different patterns and features that are tailored to produce point-spread responses that emphasize different properties of an imaged scene. The different responses are captured by the pixels, and data captured from the responses can be used separately or together to analyze aspects of the scene. The imaging systems can include circuitry to analyze the image data, and to support modes that select between point-spread responses, selections of the pixels, and algorithms for analyzing image data.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Described are imaging devices that employ patchworks of diffractive structures as focusing optics. Each diffractive structure best focuses light over a relatively narrow cone of incident angles, and provides suboptimal focusing for incident angles outside that cone. Different diffractive structures best focus different angular ranges, with the patchwork thus providing an overall focusable response for the relatively broad range of angles required to image a scene. Images can be captured without a lens, and cameras can be made smaller than those that are reliant on lenses and ray-optical focusing.

Abstract: An imaging device uses a grating to produce an interference pattern for capture by a photodetector array. Digital photographs and other image information can then be extracted from the pattern. An integrated processor locally supports this extraction by upsampling the captured interference pattern and deconvolving the upsampled pattern with an image-calculation parameter set that represents the grating at a resolution greater than that provided by the photodetector array. Deconvolving the upsampled pattern with a high-resolution parameter increases the resolution of extracted image information.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a refractive optical element and one or more diffractive optical gratings disposed over a two-dimensional array of photosensitive pixels. The different gratings present different patterns and features that are tailored to produce point-spread responses that emphasize different properties of an imaged scene. The different responses are captured by the pixels, and data captured from the responses can be used separately or together to analyze aspects of the scene. The imaging systems can include circuitry to analyze the image data, and to support modes that select between point-spread responses, selections of the pixels, and algorithms for analyzing image data.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Pixels within an image sensor pixel array are sampled by corresponding conditional read circuitry. A zero pixel value is outputted for each pixel associated with a sample less than a conversion threshold, and a saturated pixel value is outputted for each pixel associated with a sample greater than or equal to a saturation threshold. Samples greater than or equal to the conversion threshold and less than the saturation threshold are converted by an ADC, and a converted pixel value is output for each associated above threshold pixel. The ADC (along with any corresponding amplifiers) are powered on for a variable period depending on the number of pixels needing conversion during the conversion of such samples during a read period, and are powered off for the remainder of the read period.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.