Abstract: A sub-ranging programmable gain amplifier resolves an incoming signal into one of multiple amplitude sub-ranges and dynamically steps down the PGA output according to the identified sub-range.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable fast readout from an image sensor to support pixel-wise conversion gain selection for high dynamic range imaging. In embodiments, an image sensor integrated circuit performs the pixel-wise gain selection with its readout circuitry, so that the image sensor outputs pixels with only the selected gain option. In this manner, the image sensor is able to achieve faster frame rates and lower power consumption. Depending on the embodiment, the conversion gain may be selected by the readout logic, an image signal processor, or an auto-exposure engine. The gain selection may be made based on a previous image captured by the camera or other pixels in the same image. The image signal processor may interpolate a high-gain and a low-gain portion of the image to obtain full resolution images in the two gain options, and merge the two to obtain the final image.

Abstract: An image sensor may a plurality of pixels, one or more analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) circuits, and at least one quantization circuit. The pixels may generate analog signals based on photoelectrons accumulated by the pixels when exposed to light. The ADC circuits may convert the analog signals to digital signals, wherein the digital signals may include (a) a first set of digital signals individually having a value corresponding to an integer number of discrete photoelectrons and (b) a second set of digital signals individually having a value between values of the first set of digital signals so as to correspond to a non-integer number of discrete photoelectron. The quantization circuit may convert the second set of digital signals to a third set of digital signals, wherein the third set of digital signals individually has a value corresponding to an integer number of discrete photoelectrons.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a light source to emit light, a light sensor to detect reflection of the emitted light and distance determination circuitry responsive to reflected-light detection within the light sensor. The light sensor includes a photodetector having a photocharge storage capacity in excess of one electron and an output circuit that generates an output signal responsive to light detection within the photodetector with sub-hundred nanosecond latency. The distance determination circuitry measures an elapsed time based on transition of the output signal in response to photonic detection within the photodetector and determines, based on the elapsed time, a distance between the sensing device and a surface that yielded the reflection of the emitted light.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide, a method, a system, and a computer storage media that provide mechanisms for multimedia effect addition and editing support for text-based video editing tools. The method includes generating a user interface (UI) displaying a transcript of an audio track of a video and receiving, via the UI, input identifying selection of a text segment from the transcript. The method also includes in response to receiving, via the UI, input identifying selection of a particular type of text stylization or layout for application to the text segment. The method further includes identifying a video effect corresponding to the particular type of text stylization or layout, applying the video effect to a video segment corresponding to the text segment, and applying the particular type of text stylization or layout to the text segment to visually represent the video effect in the transcript.

Abstract: Integrated-circuit imagers selectively multi-sample pixel array outputs according to luminance level indicated by an initial sample, avoiding the additional power/time required for multi-sampling in high-luminance, shot-noise-dominated conditions and, conversely, multi-sampling in readout-noise-dominated low-luminance conditions.

Abstract: Correlated double sampling column-level readout of an image sensor pixel (e.g., a CMOS image sensor) may be provided by a charge transfer amplifier that is configured and operated to itself provide for both correlated-double-sampling and amplification of floating diffusion potentials read out from the pixel onto a column bus after reset of the floating diffusion (i) but before transferring photocharge to the floating diffusion (the reset potential) and (ii) after transferring photocharge to the floating diffusion (the transfer potential). A common capacitor of the charge transfer amplifier may sample both the reset potential and the transfer potential such that a change in potential (and corresponding charge change) on the capacitor represents the difference between the transfer potential and reset potential, and the magnitude of this change is amplified by the charge change being transferred between the common capacitor and a second capacitor selectively coupled to the common capacitor.

Abstract: An amplifier transistor within an image-sensor pixel is implemented upside down relative to conventional orientation such that a substrate-resident floating diffusion node of the pixel forms the gate of the amplifier transistor—achieving increased pixel conversion gain by eliminating the conventional metal-layer interconnection between the floating diffusion node and amplifier-transistor gate and concomitant parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: First and second readout circuits, each having a respective floating diffusion node, are coupled to a photodetection element within a pixel of an integrated-circuit image sensor. Following an exposure interval in which photocharge is accumulated within the photodetection element, a first portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the first floating diffusion node to enable generation of a first output signal within the first readout circuit, and a second portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the second floating diffusion node to enable generation of a second output signal within the second readout circuit. A digital pixel value is generated based on the first and second output signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide, a method, a system, and a computer storage media that provide mechanisms for multimedia effect addition and editing support for text-based video editing tools. The method includes generating a user interface (UI) displaying a transcript of an audio track of a video and receiving, via the UI, input identifying selection of a text segment from the transcript. The method also includes in response to receiving, via the UI, input identifying selection of a particular type of text stylization or layout for application to the text segment. The method further includes identifying a video effect corresponding to the particular type of text stylization or layout, applying the video effect to a video segment corresponding to the text segment, and applying the particular type of text stylization or layout to the text segment to visually represent the video effect in the transcript.

Abstract: An image sensor may include a plurality of pixels, each of which may include a photodiode having a charge accumulation region (“PD”), a floating diffusion region (“FD”), and a charge transfer region vertically between the PD and FD. The vertical charge transfer region may include a first charge modulation region (“P1”), a second charge modulation region (“P2”), and a third charge modulation region (“P3”). The image sensor may operate in a global shutter mode, in which the P2 may be used as an in-pixel charge memory region to temporarily store charge during transfer of the charge from PD to FD via P1, P2, and P3.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an image sensor pixel includes a floating diffusion, a transistor gate configured to transfer charge with respect to the floating diffusion, and a doped pinning region disposed between the floating diffusion and the transistor gate, to reduce or eliminate the effective capacitive coupling between the floating diffusion and the transistor gate. The transistor gate may be an in-pixel transfer gate configured to selectively transfer photocharge from an in-pixel charge accumulation region to the floating diffusion. Alternatively, or additionally, the transistor gate may be an in-pixel reset gate configured to selectively reset the electrostatic potential of the floating diffusion.

Abstract: First and second readout circuits, each having a respective floating diffusion node, are coupled to a photodetection element within a pixel of an integrated-circuit image sensor. Following an exposure interval in which photocharge is accumulated within the photodetection element, a first portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the first floating diffusion node to enable generation of a first output signal within the first readout circuit, and a second portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the second floating diffusion node to enable generation of a second output signal within the second readout circuit. A digital pixel value is generated based on the first and second output signals.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a light source to emit light, a light sensor to detect reflection of the emitted light and distance determination circuitry responsive to reflected-light detection within the light sensor. The light sensor includes a photodetector having a photocharge storage capacity in excess of one electron and an output circuit that generates an output signal responsive to light detection within the photodetector with sub-hundred nanosecond latency. The distance determination circuitry measures an elapsed time based on transition of the output signal in response to photonic detection within the photodetector and determines, based on the elapsed time, a distance between the sensing device and a surface that yielded the reflection of the emitted light.

Abstract: An animation system configured for generating an animation scene that includes at least one animation stylization effect applied to one or more three-dimensional digital objects is described. The animation system includes an interface having a timeline portion and a node graph portion. The timeline portion represents various animation stylization effects as clips arranged chronologically relative to a timeline and the node graph portion includes a node cluster for each clip, where individual node clusters are made up of an animate node, an action node, and an effect node. Input at the timeline portion modifying at least one parameter of the animation scene propagates to the node graph portion, and vice versa. The animation system thus presents dual representations of an animation scene in a manner that enables complex animation customizations while organizing animation effects in a simplified, chronological manner.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a light source to emit light, a light sensor to detect reflection of the emitted light and distance determination circuitry responsive to reflected-light detection within the light sensor. The light sensor includes a photodetector having a photocharge storage capacity in excess of one electron and an output circuit that generates an output signal responsive to light detection within the photodetector with sub-hundred nanosecond latency. The distance determination circuitry measures an elapsed time based on transition of the output signal in response to photonic detection within the photodetector and determines, based on the elapsed time, a distance between the sensing device and a surface that yielded the reflection of the emitted light.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and apparatus for quantum random number generation based on a single bit or multi bit Quanta Image Sensor (QIS) providing single-photon counting over a time interval for each of an array of pixels of the QIS, wherein random number data is generated based on the number of photons counted over the time interval for each of the pixels.

Abstract: Multi-stage auto-zeroing signal amplifiers are deployed within event-shuttering pixels of a quanta image sensor (QIS) pixel array to enable reliable per-pixel reporting of photonic events, down to resolution of a single photon strike, for each of a continuous sequence of sub-microsecond event-detection intervals.

Abstract: Row-by-row pixel read-out is executed concurrently within respective clusters of pixels of a pixel array, alternating the between descending and ascending progressions in the intra-cluster row readout sequence to reduce temporal skew between neighboring pixel rows in adjacent clusters.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an image sensor pixel comprising a junction field effect transistor (JFET) and a floating diffusion configured to act as the gate of the JFET. An image sensor may comprise a plurality of pixels, at least one pixel comprising floating diffusion region formed in a semiconductor substrate, a transfer gate configured to selectively cause transfer of photocharge stored in the pixel to the floating diffusion, and a JFET having (i) a source and a drain coupled by a channel region, and (ii) a gate comprising the floating diffusion region.