Abstract: There is provided a CMOS imager system for providing a viewable image having increased dynamic range including an image sensor including a number of sets of pixels. Each set of pixels is configured to receive one of a number of exposures and to generate image data corresponding to the received exposure in the interleaved mode. The image sensor is configured to operate in either an interleaved mode or a non-interleaved mode and to output the image data generated by each set of pixels as a frame of interleaved image data in the interleaved mode. The imager system further includes an interleaved image pipeline in communication with the image sensor, where the interleaved image pipeline is configured to receive the interleaved image data from the image sensor, combine the image data generated by each set of pixels corresponding to one of the exposures to form the viewable image.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable description' s of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a CMOS imager system for providing a viewable image having increased dynamic range including an image sensor including a number of sets of pixels. Each set of pixels is configured to receive one of a number of exposures and to generate image data corresponding to the received exposure in the interleaved mode. The image sensor is configured to operate in either an interleaved mode or a non-interleaved mode and to output the image data generated by each set of pixels as a frame of interleaved image data in the interleaved mode. The imager system further includes an interleaved image pipeline in communication with the image sensor, where the interleaved image pipeline is configured to receive the interleaved image data from the image sensor, combine the image data generated by each set of pixels corresponding to one of the exposures to form the viewable image.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.

Abstract: An exemplary CMOS image sensor comprises a reset transistor, a photodiode, reset drain voltage circuitry, and reset gate voltage circuitry. A cathode of the photodiode is connected to a source of the reset transistor, and an anode of the photodiode is connected to ground. The reset drain voltage circuitry is connected to a drain of the reset transistor, and the reset gate voltage circuitry is connected to a gate of the reset transistor. During an exemplary hard reset operation, the reset drain voltage circuitry supplies a first drain voltage to the drain of the reset transistor in accordance with a determined level of light for exposure, which is determined dynamically. According to another exemplary reset operation, a hard reset phase is immediately followed by a soft reset phase.

Abstract: An image sensor and method is provided to improve the measurement of a dark signal reference while substantially suppressing radiation charges that enter an active area of the image sensor from reaching a shielded dark signal detector. In one implementation, dark signal detector is shielded and separated from the active area to substantially reduce the radiation charges that reach the dark signal detector. In another implementation, the image sensor includes a radiation guard that is disposed between the active area and the shielded detector. When radiation or light is permitted to enter the active area, the guard when adequately biased attracts and collects radiated charges that may otherwise travel beyond the active area to reach the shielded detector and contaminate a measurement for the dark signal reference.

Abstract: An image sensor and method is provided to improve the measurement of a dark signal reference while substantially suppressing radiation charges that enter an active area of the image sensor from reaching a shielded dark signal detector. In one implementation, dark signal detector is shielded and separated from the active area to substantially reduce the radiation charges that reach the dark signal detector. In another implementation, the image sensor includes a radiation guard that is disposed between the active area and the shielded detector. When radiation or light is permitted to enter the active area, the guard when adequately biased attracts and collects radiated charges that may otherwise travel beyond the active area to reach the shielded detector and contaminate a measurement for the dark signal reference.

Abstract: A device for arranging a distance between an optical element and an image sensor. The device includes a housing mechanically coupled to the optical element, a frame mechanically coupled to the housing, the frame having a first extension, and a base movably coupled to the frame, the base having a sloped first channel accommodating the first extension, the first channel having a first stop point and a second stop point, wherein the frame moves between the first stop point and the second stop point, which correspond to first and second distances between the optical element and the image sensor, respectively.