Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels includes a photodiode. The image sensor is configured to capture images of a scene exposed with a flickering light source by for each of the plurality of pixels, acquiring a value representative of a light level at a corresponding pixel by gradually varying a value of sensitivity of the corresponding pixel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a readout circuit of a pixel array comprising: a first analog to digital converter coupled to a first column line of the pixel array and configured to convert a reference voltage level and a captured voltage level of a first pixel based on a first conversion gain of the first pixel; and a second analog to digital converter coupled to the first column line of the pixel array and configured to convert a reference voltage level and a captured voltage level of the first pixel based on a second conversion gain of the first pixel, the first and second conversion gains being different from each other.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels includes a photodiode. The image sensor is configured to capture images of a scene exposed with a flickering light source by for each of the plurality of pixels, acquiring a value representative of a light level at a corresponding pixel by gradually varying a value of sensitivity of the corresponding pixel.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels includes a photodiode. The image sensor is configured to capture images of a scene exposed with a flickering light source by for each of the plurality of pixels, acquiring a value representative of a light level at a corresponding pixel by gradually varying a value of sensitivity of the corresponding pixel.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a voltage divider producing different reference voltages. Dummy pixels each are formed by a transfer gate transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to a floating diffusion node, a second conduction terminal, and a control node coupled to a first gate signal line, a transmission gate coupled between one of the plurality of taps and the second conduction terminal of the transfer gate transistor, a floating diffusion capacitor coupled between the floating diffusion node and ground, a transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to the floating diffusion node, a second conduction terminal, and a control terminal coupled to a second gate signal line, and a reset transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to the upper reference voltage, a second conduction terminal coupled to the second conduction terminal of the transistor, and a control terminal coupled to a reset signal line.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a readout circuit of a pixel array comprising: a first analog to digital converter coupled to a first column line of the pixel array and configured to convert a reference voltage level and a captured voltage level of a first pixel based on a first conversion gain of the first pixel; and a second analog to digital converter coupled to the first column line of the pixel array and configured to convert a reference voltage level and a captured voltage level of the first pixel based on a second conversion gain of the first pixel, the first and second conversion gains being different from each other.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a voltage divider producing different reference voltages. Dummy pixels each are formed by a transfer gate transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to a floating diffusion node, a second conduction terminal, and a control node coupled to a first gate signal line, a transmission gate coupled between one of the plurality of taps and the second conduction terminal of the transfer gate transistor, a floating diffusion capacitor coupled between the floating diffusion node and ground, a transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to the floating diffusion node, a second conduction terminal, and a control terminal coupled to a second gate signal line, and a reset transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to the upper reference voltage, a second conduction terminal coupled to the second conduction terminal of the transistor, and a control terminal coupled to a reset signal line.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels includes a photodiode. The image sensor is configured to capture images of a scene exposed with a flickering light source by for each of the plurality of pixels, acquiring a value representative of a light level at a corresponding pixel by gradually varying a value of sensitivity of the corresponding pixel.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an array of image pixels, with the array of image pixels having inputs coupled to control lines and outputs coupled to output lines, and at least one array of dummy pixels, with the at least one array of dummy pixels having inputs coupled to the control lines. Each dummy pixel of the at least one array of dummy pixels is configured to provide a certain output signal in an absence of a fault with at least one of the control lines or of a fault with at least one of the output lines, such that a lack of output of the certain output signal by one or more of the dummy pixels of the at least one array of dummy pixels indicates the fault.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an array of image pixels, with the array of image pixels having inputs coupled to control lines and outputs coupled to output lines, and at least one array of dummy pixels, with the at least one array of dummy pixels having inputs coupled to the control lines. Each dummy pixel of the at least one array of dummy pixels is configured to provide a certain output signal in an absence of a fault with at least one of the control lines or of a fault with at least one of the output lines, such that a lack of output of the certain output signal by one or more of the dummy pixels of the at least one array of dummy pixels indicates the fault.

Abstract: An electronic device disclosed herein includes a photodiode, and a plurality of storage components each configured to independently sample and hold charges from the photodiode during each of a plurality of integration periods without discharging the held charge between successive integration periods of the plurality thereof. Each storage component accumulates the charges from the photodiode for a given time window during each integration period, with the given time window for each storage component being different than the given time window for each other storage component. Readout circuitry is configured to transfer the charges from each storage component to a readout node in a respective read period for that storage component. The photodiodes and storage components are not configured to be reset between successive time windows during each integration period.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor including: a plurality of pixels, each including a first photodiode coupled to a first capacitive charge storage node by a first transistor, and a second photodiode coupled to a second capacitive charge storage node by a second transistor; and a control circuit configured so as to, during a phase of acquisition of a value representative of the illumination level of a pixel: acquire a first output value representative of the illumination level received by the first photodiode during a first uninterrupted integration period; and acquire a second output value representative of the illumination level received by the second photodiode during a second integration period divided into a plurality of separate sub-periods.

Abstract: A device for conversion of an analog signal into a digital signal includes a clock signal generator and a ramp generator configured for delivering a rising voltage ramp. A comparator is configured for comparing the value of the analog signal and the value of the voltage ramp and for generating a comparison signal taking a first logical value when the two values are equal. A signal generator is configured for generating a counter signal equal to the inverse of the clock signal if the comparison signal takes its first value while the clock signal is in the high state, or a counter signal equal to the clock signal if the clock signal is in the low state. A counter is configured for counting the number of edges of the counter signal.

Abstract: An electronic device disclosed herein includes a photodiode, and a plurality of storage components each configured to independently sample and hold charges from the photodiode during each of a plurality of integration periods without discharging the held charge between successive integration periods of the plurality thereof. Each storage component accumulates the charges from the photodiode for a given time window during each integration period, with the given time window for each storage component being different than the given time window for each other storage component. Readout circuitry is configured to transfer the charges from each storage component to a readout node in a respective read period for that storage component. The photodiodes and storage components are not configured to be reset between successive time windows during each integration period.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor including: a plurality of pixels, each including a first photodiode coupled to a first capacitive charge storage node by a first transistor, and a second photodiode coupled to a second capacitive charge storage node by a second transistor; and a control circuit configured so as to, during a phase of acquisition of a value representative of the illumination level of a pixel: acquire a first output value representative of the illumination level received by the first photodiode during a first uninterrupted integration period; and acquire a second output value representative of the illumination level received by the second photodiode during a second integration period divided into a plurality of separate sub-periods.

Abstract: An image sensor having improved dynamic range includes a signal that is read out for a selection of pixels which act as a calibration to govern the choice of exposure levels to be applied to the rest of the array. In this way, the sensor is operable to adapt to variations in scene intensity. The pixels in the array are vertically and horizontally addressed so as to enable accounted for small areas of intensity variation across an imaged scene.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an image sensor having a plurality of pixels each including a photosensor, a first node having a first capacitance connected to the photosensor, a second node having a second capacitance and selectively connected to the photosensor, and reading circuitry operable to read independently a first voltage value stored at the first node and a second voltage value stored at the second node.

Abstract: A method of controlling a moving part of a voice coil motor to move from an first position to a second position, wherein the position of the moving part is controlled by the level of an electrical signal applied to a coil of the voice coil motor, a first level of the electrical signal corresponding to the first position, and a second level of the electrical signal corresponding to the second position, the method including: at a first time, changing the electrical signal from the first level to an intermediate level, the intermediate level being chosen such that a peak overshoot of the moving part corresponds to the second position; and at a second time calculated to correspond to a delay of half an oscillation period of the moving part after the first time, changing the electrical signal to the second level.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an integrated circuit comprising at least one photosensitive cell. The cell includes a photosensitive element, an input face associated with the said photosensitive element, an optical filter situated in at least one optical path leading to the photosensitive element and an interconnection part situated between the photosensitive element and the input face. The optical filter is disposed between the photosensitive element and the surface of the interconnection part closest to the input face. In particular, the optical filter can be disposed within the interconnection part. The disclosure also proposes that the filter be formed using a glass comprising cerium sulphide or at least one metal oxide.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel for receiving at least one lens and a motor arranged to displace the lens barrel between various positions. Displacement of the lens barrel is proportional to an electrical signal applied to the motor. A first conductor is fixed to the lens barrel and is arranged to make electrical contact with a second conductor when the lens barrel is at an initial position. A processor is arranged to detect a change in the electrical contact, to determine an electrical signal at the time of the change and to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the desired displacement.