Patents by Inventor John T. Compton
John T. Compton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9049353Abstract: In various embodiments, a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) image sensor includes (i) a plurality of integrating CCDs (ICCDs), arranged in parallel, that accumulate photocharge in response to exposure to light, (ii) electrically coupled to the plurality of ICCDs, a readout CCD (RCCD) for receiving photocharge from the plurality of ICCDs, and (iii) electrically coupled to the RCCD, readout circuitry for converting charge received from the RCCD into voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8964088Abstract: In various embodiments, a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) image sensor includes (i) a plurality of integrating CCDs (ICCDs), arranged in parallel, that accumulate photocharge in response to exposure to light, (ii) electrically coupled to the plurality of ICCDs, a readout CCD (RCCD) for receiving photocharge from the plurality of ICCDs, and (iii) electrically coupled to the RCCD, readout circuitry for converting charge received from the RCCD into voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventors: Edward T. Nelson, John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8736924Abstract: In various embodiments, a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) image sensor includes (i) a plurality of integrating CCDs (ICCDs), arranged in parallel, that accumulate photocharge in response to exposure to light, (ii) electrically coupled to the plurality of ICCDs, a readout CCD (RCCD) for receiving photocharge from the plurality of ICCDs, and (iii) electrically coupled to the RCCD, readout circuitry for converting charge received from the RCCD into voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Edward T. Nelson, David N. Nichols, John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8717476Abstract: A method for reading out an image signal includes providing at least two photosensitive regions and providing at least two transfer gates respectively associated with each photosensitive region. The method also includes providing a common charge-to-voltage conversion region electrically connected to the transfer gates and providing a reset mechanism that resets the common charge-to-voltage conversion region. After transferring charge from at least one of the photo-sensitive regions, all the transfer gates are disabled at a first time. The method further includes enabling at least one transfer gate at a subsequent second time and transferring charge from at least one of the photosensitive regions at a subsequent third time while the at least one transfer gate from the second time remains enabled.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Parks, John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8711452Abstract: A method for forming a final digital color image includes capturing an image using an image sensor having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photoresponses; providing from the captured image a digital panchromatic image and an intermediate digital color image; and using the digital panchromatic image and the intermediate digital color image to provide the final digital color image.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John F. Hamilton, Jr., John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8659694Abstract: An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixels having multiple column outputs and an output circuit connected to each column output. Each output circuit is configured to operate concurrent sample and read operations. An analog front end (AFE) circuit processes pixel data output from the output circuits and an AFE clock controller transmits an AFE clocking signal to the AFE circuit to effect processing of the pixel data. A timing generator outputs a column address sequence that is received by a column decoder. During one or more sample operations the timing generator suspends the column address sequence and subsequently during the one or more sample operations the AFE clock controller suspends the AFE clocking signal. The AFE clocking signal and the column address sequence resume at the end of the one or more sample operations.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John T. Compton, Jeffrey S. Gerstenberger, Ravi Mruthyunjaya
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Patent number: 8525910Abstract: An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixels having multiple column outputs and an output circuit connected to each column output. Each output circuit is configured to operate concurrent sample and read operations. An analog front end (AFE) circuit processes pixel data output from the output circuits and an AFE clock controller transmits an AFE clocking signal to the AFE circuit to effect processing of the pixel data. A timing generator outputs a column address sequence that is received by a column decoder. During one or more sample operations the AFE clock controller suspends the output of the AFE clocking signal and the timing generator suspends the output of the column address sequence during the sample operation. The output of the AFE clocking signal and the column address sequence resume at the end of the sample operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gerstenberger, Ravi Mruthyunjaya, John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8416339Abstract: A method for using a capture device to capture at least two video signals corresponding to a scene, includes: providing a two-dimensional image sensor having a plurality of pixels; reading a first group of pixels from the image sensor at a first frame rate to produce a first video signal of the image scene; reading a second group of pixels from the image sensor at a second frame rate for producing a second video signal; and using at least one of the video signals for adjusting one or more of the capture device parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Omni Vision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Amy D. Enge, John T. Compton, Bruce H. Pillman
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Publication number: 20130075590Abstract: In various embodiments, reset is suppressed for at least one selected row of pixels in a pixel array during a rolling shutter operation, thereby setting the integration time of the selected row(s) to the full-frame integration time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: TRUESENSE IMAGING, INC.Inventor: John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8384813Abstract: An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixels having multiple column outputs and an output circuit connected to each column output. Each output circuit is configured to operate concurrent sample and read operations. A timing generator outputs a column address sequence that is received by a column decoder that is electrically connected to each output circuit. The timing generator suspends the output of the column address sequence during a sample operation and resumes the output of the column address sequence at the end of the sample operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John T. Compton, Jeffrey S. Gerstenberger, Ravi Mruthyunjaya
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Publication number: 20130016250Abstract: A method for forming a final digital color image includes capturing an image using an image sensor having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photoresponses; providing from the captured image a digital panchromatic image and an intermediate digital color image; and using the digital panchromatic image and the intermediate digital color image to provide the final digital color image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John F. Hamilton, JR., John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8355074Abstract: An imaging system and method for producing a digital image from pixel signals captured by a pixel array is disclosed. First pixel signals, generated during a first exposure period, are read out from a first group of pixels of the pixel array. The first group of pixels is reset after reading out the first pixel signals. Second pixel signals from the first group of pixel are read out after resetting the first group of pixels. The second pixel signals are generated during a second exposure period. Third pixel signals from a second group of pixels of the pixel array are read out. The third pixel signals are generated during a third exposure period that overlaps at least a portion of the first and second exposure periods. The first, second, and third pixel signals are used to produce the digital image.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Aaron T. Deever, Bruce H. Pillman, John T. Compton, Amy D. Enge
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Patent number: 8330839Abstract: An image sensor for capturing a color image is disclosed having a two-dimensional array having first and second groups of pixels wherein pixels from the first group of pixels have narrower spectral photoresponses than pixels from the second group of pixels and wherein the first group of pixels has individual pixels that have spectral photoresponses that correspond to a set of at least two colors. Further, the placement of the first and second groups of pixels defines a pattern that has a minimal repeating unit including at least twelve pixels. The minimal repeating unit has a plurality of cells wherein each cell has at least two pixels representing a specific color selected from the first group of pixels and a plurality of pixels selected from the second group of pixels arranged to permit the reproduction of a captured color image under different lighting conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John T. Compton, John F. Hamilton, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120300105Abstract: An imaging system and method for producing a digital image from pixel signals captured by a pixel array is disclosed. First pixel signals, generated during a first exposure period, are read out from a first group of pixels of the pixel array. The first group of pixels is reset after reading out the first pixel signals. Second pixel signals from the first group of pixel are read out after resetting the first group of pixels. The second pixel signals are generated during a second exposure period. Third pixel signals from a second group of pixels of the pixel array are read out. The third pixel signals are generated during a third exposure period that overlaps at least a portion of the first and second exposure periods. The first, second, and third pixel signals are used to produce the digital image.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Aaron T. Deever, Bruce H. Pillman, John T. Compton, Amy D. Enge
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Patent number: 8314873Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8306362Abstract: A method for reading out pixel values for a two dimensional array, the method includes the steps of periodically combining at least two pixel values of a same first color in a first dimension of the two dimensional array; reading out the combined pixel values of the first color; and reading out pixels of a second color in the first dimension of the two dimensional array.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8294803Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8279316Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8279317Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8274715Abstract: A method for forming a final digital color image includes capturing an image using an image sensor having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photoresponses; providing from the captured image a digital panchromatic image and an intermediate digital color image; and using the digital panchromatic image and the intermediate digital color image to provide the final digital color image.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John F. Hamilton, Jr., John T. Compton