Abstract: A pixel array includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; and a group control line connected to each pixel of a first group of pixels from among the plurality of pixels, the first group of pixels including pixels from at least two different rows from among the plurality of rows, the first group of pixels each being configured to begin an exposure period based on a first signal received from the group control line, the exposure period being a period during which a pixel accumulates charges in response to light incident on the pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array and a plurality of control circuits. The pixel array includes a plurality of sub-arrays arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each of the plurality of sub-arrays including a plurality of pixels. The plurality of control circuits are coupled to the pixel array, and configured to control exposure of the plurality of sub-arrays. At least a first of the plurality of control circuits is configured to control exposure of a first of the plurality of sub-arrays according to a first set of exposure times. At least a second of the plurality of control circuits is configured to control exposure of a second of the plurality of sub-arrays according to a second set of exposure times. The first set of exposure times is different from the second set of exposure times.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method of generating an image using a global shutter image sensor. The method includes accumulating a first plurality of charges during a first exposure time from a first plurality of pixels, accumulating a second plurality of charges during a plurality of second exposure times from a second plurality of pixels, the plurality of second exposure times occurring during the first exposure time and being shorter than the first exposure time and generating the image based on the first plurality of charges and the second plurality of charges.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method of generating an image using a global shutter image sensor. The method includes accumulating a first plurality of charges during a first exposure time from a first plurality of pixels, accumulating a second plurality of charges during a plurality of second exposure times from a second plurality of pixels, the plurality of second exposure times occurring during the first exposure time and being shorter than the first exposure time and generating the image based on the first plurality of charges and the second plurality of charges.

Abstract: A pixel array includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; and a group control line connected to each pixel of a first group of pixels from among the plurality of pixels, the first group of pixels including pixels from at least two different rows from among the plurality of rows, the first group of pixels each being configured to begin an exposure period based on a first signal received from the group control line, the exposure period being a period during which a pixel accumulates charges in response to light incident on the pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array and a plurality of control circuits. The pixel array includes a plurality of sub-arrays arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each of the plurality of sub-arrays including a plurality of pixels. The plurality of control circuits are coupled to the pixel array, and configured to control exposure of the plurality of sub-arrays. At least a first of the plurality of control circuits is configured to control exposure of a first of the plurality of sub-arrays according to a first set of exposure times. At least a second of the plurality of control circuits is configured to control exposure of a second of the plurality of sub-arrays according to a second set of exposure times. The first set of exposure times is different from the second set of exposure times.

Abstract: A global shutter pixel has a stacked pixel structure. The pixel includes a sample and readout circuit on a lower substrate and a photodiode and transfer circuit on an upper substrate. The sample and readout circuit is configured to store accumulated charge and output a pixel data signal corresponding to the stored accumulated charge. The photodiode and transfer circuit is configured to accumulate charge in response to incident light, and to transfer the accumulated charge to the sample and readout circuit, the upper substrate being stacked on the lower substrate.

Abstract: A method of compressing an image according to an image compression algorithm includes sequentially receiving pixel values into a buffers bank in line-by-line order. The image includes a plurality of pixels arranged into lines and columns. Each pixel has a pixel value associated therewith. Each line has L pixels. The image compression algorithm operates on blocks of pixels, each block having N lines and M columns. The method also includes storing each block-line of pixel values in a buffer of the buffers bank. A block-line includes M consecutive pixels of a line. The method also includes, for each block-line, storing a pointer to the buffer in which the block-line is stored and reading block-lines out of the buffers bank to a compression engine, wherein the block-lines are read out of the buffers bank in an order that is different from the line-by-line order in which the block-lines were received into the buffers bank.

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor apparatus is provided. In this method, first digital image data is generated based on a first exposure data signal, wherein the first exposure data signal is indicative of an exposure level of the image sensor during a first exposure period. The first digital image data is stored in a storage circuit. Second digital image data is generated based on a second exposure data signal, wherein the second exposure data signal is indicative of an exposure level of the image sensor during a second exposure period. The second exposure period is different from the first exposure period. The second digital image data associated with the image sensor is selectively stored based on a value of the first digital image data associated with the image sensor.

Abstract: A method of compressing an image according to an image compression algorithm includes sequentially receiving pixel values into a buffers bank in line-by-line order. The image includes a plurality of pixels arranged into lines and columns. Each pixel has a pixel value associated therewith. Each line has L pixels. The image compression algorithm operates on blocks of pixels, each block having N lines and M columns. The method also includes storing each block-line of pixel values in a buffer of the buffers bank. A block-line includes M consecutive pixels of a line. The method also includes, for each block-line, storing a pointer to the buffer in which the block-line is stored and reading block-lines out of the buffers bank to a compression engine, wherein the block-lines are read out of the buffers bank in an order that is different from the line-by-line order in which the block-lines were received into the buffers bank.