Abstract: An image sensor including (a) an array of pixels, each of which includes: (a1) a photodetector; and (a2) a read-out circuit coupled to the photodetector and including an active amplifying element; and (b) pixel binning means configured to form macropixels such that, in each macropixel, the inputs of the read-out circuits of at least two pixels are coupled to one another, and the outputs of the read-out circuits of said pixels are coupled to the input of a single memory element including a capacitor; wherein the output of each read-out circuit is coupled to an input of a memory element that is different from those of the other pixels; and wherein the binning means include connection switches for the read-out circuits inserted between the read-out circuits and the memory elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of hybrid molecular bonding of a first surface of a first electronic circuit to a second surface of a second electronic circuit. The first electronic circuit includes first conductive pads exposed on the first surface and first conductive tracks exposed on the first surface. The length of each first track is equal to at least five times the width of the first track, the first tracks delivering the reference voltage to the first electronic circuit. The second electronic circuit includes second conductive pads exposed on the second surface and second conductive tracks exposed on the second surface. The length of each second track is equal to at least five times the length of the second track. The method comprises placing into contact the first pads with the second pads and the first tracks with the second tracks.

Abstract: An image sensor including (a) an array of pixels, each of which includes: (a1) a photodetector; and (a2) a read-out circuit coupled to the photodetector and including an active amplifying element; and (b) pixel binning means configured to form macropixels such that, in each macropixel, the inputs of the read-out circuits of at least two pixels are coupled to one another, and the outputs of the read-out circuits of said pixels are coupled to the input of a single memory element including a capacitor; wherein the output of each read-out circuit is coupled to an input of a memory element that is different from those of the other pixels; and wherein the binning means include connection switches for the read-out circuits inserted between the read-out circuits and the memory elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of processing pixel values comprising: during a first read phase, generating a first digital value as a function of pixel values by controlling, based on first and second control signals and a first set of increment rates, the rate that a first counter (220-i) is incremented; and during a second read phase, generating a second digital value as a function of pixel values by controlling, based on first and second control signals and a second set of increment rates, the rate that said first counter (220-i) is incremented, the first and second sets of increment rates each defining an increment rate for each of a plurality of states of the first and second control signals, wherein said first set of increment rates is different from said second set of increment rates.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of processing pixel values comprising: during a first read phase, generating a first digital value as a function of pixel values by controlling, based on first and second control signals and a first set of increment rates, the rate that a first counter (220-i) is incremented; and during a second read phase, generating a second digital value as a function of pixel values by controlling, based on first and second control signals and a second set of increment rates, the rate that said first counter (220-i) is incremented, the first and second sets of increment rates each defining an increment rate for each of a plurality of states of the first and second control signals, wherein said first set of increment rates is different from said second set of increment rates.