Abstract: A method for detecting a pupil of an eye with an event-based vision sensor, comprises the steps of directing a first light source towards the eye; observing the eye with the event-based vision sensor; and intermittently submitting the event-based vision sensor to a uniform background signal.

Abstract: An event-based vision sensor, comprises an array of event-based pixels, each pixel configured to record events based on variations of a sensed photocurrent and enable, at the occurrence of an event, a request line common to pixels aligned along an axis of the array; a request arbiter configured to respond asynchronously to the enabled request lines by enqueuing corresponding line readout requests in a request queue; an event readout circuit connected to the request arbiter and configured to readout in parallel the events of a line of pixels corresponding to a current line readout request served by the arbiter; a queue length counter connected to the request lines to produce the request queue length; a queue monitor connected to the queue length counter, configured to generate an event burstiness indicator; and means configured to carry out a burstiness compensation action based on the event burstiness indicator.

Abstract: An event-based vision sensor comprises an array of pixel circuits, each configured to produce a respective photocurrent, wherein the array of pixel circuits is divided into one or more clusters of multiple pixel circuits; and a cluster control circuit configured, for each cluster, to generate (i) a summation of the photocurrents produced by the pixel circuits of the cluster and (ii) cluster events based on changes in the summation of the photocurrents.

Abstract: A merged frame-based and event-based image sensor pixel is provided, comprising a reverse-biased photodiode; a frame-based signal readout circuit connected to a cathode of the photodiode; and an event-based signal readout circuit connected to an anode of the photodiode. Light received in the photodiode causes the production of electrons and holes. The recombination current of the holes is continuously measured for producing the event-based signal.

Abstract: A pixel circuit is provided for use in an event sensor. In one implementation, the pixel circuit includes a photosensitive element configured to generate a current signal in response to brightness of light impinging on the photosensitive element, a first N-type transistor, a second N-type transistor, a first P-type transistor including a gate connected to a first bias voltage, a second P-type transistor including a gate connected to a second bias voltage, the second bias voltage being an adjustable DC bias voltage that is adjusted according to at least one of a sensed temperature or a fabrication process variation of the pixel circuit, and a voltage output that varies in response to the brightness of light impinging on the photosensitive element. An adjustment of the second bias voltage causes a DC level of the voltage output to shift up or down without changing the overall gain of the pixel circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to image sensors and methods for image sensing. More specifically, and without limitation, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing super-pixels, and implementing and using image sensors with super-pixels. In one implementation, an image sensor includes a plurality of super-pixels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an event-based image sensor and an event filtering method for use with an event-based image sensor. The event-based image sensor comprises a plurality of pixel circuits forming a pixel array, each pixel circuit comprising a photoreceptor circuit configured to generate a photoreceptor signal derived from a photocurrent generated by a light impinging on a light-sensitive element of the photoreceptor circuit, and a detector configured to detect a change in the photoreceptor signal and to generate an event in response to the detected change in the photoreceptor signal. The event-based image sensor further includes a processing chain and an event filter that is configured to receive the generated event and to accept the received event based on a plurality of conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an event-based image sensor and an event filtering method for use with an event-based image sensor. The event-based image sensor comprises a plurality of pixel circuits forming a pixel array, each pixel circuit comprising a photoreceptor circuit configured to generate a photoreceptor signal derived from a photocurrent generated by a light impinging on a light-sensitive element of the photoreceptor circuit, and a detector configured to detect a change in the photoreceptor signal and to generate an event in response to the detected change in the photoreceptor signa. The event-based image sensor further includes a processing chain and an event filter that is configured to receive the generated event and to accept the received event based on a plurality of conditions.

Abstract: A method for sampling data from pixels of an event vision sensor is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, with a selection circuit, an activation signal from an active pixel of the plurality of pixels of the line, generating, with the selection circuit, an acknowledge signal in response to receiving the activation signal, and sending the acknowledge signal to the plurality of pixels of the line, wherein each pixel of the line is configured to generate a request-reading signal when that pixel is active when receiving the acknowledge signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to image sensors and methods for image sensing. More specifically, and without limitation, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing super-pixels, and implementing and using image sensors with super-pixels. In one implementation, an image sensor includes a plurality of super-pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive element, and a photo-signal converter adapted to provide, on a first output, a current signal linearly proportional to the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element and to provide, on a second output, a voltage signal logarithmic with the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element. Each pixel further includes a detector adapted to generate a trigger signal when a signal of the detector proportional to the voltage signal of the second output of the photo-signal converter exceeds a threshold, and a light-to-time converter adapted to measure and encode, in the time domain, light intensity on the photosensitive element. A light-to-time conversion cycle may be initiated by the light-to-time converter in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to image sensors and methods for image sensing. More specifically, and without limitation, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing super-pixels, and implementing and using image sensors with super-pixels. In one implementation, an image sensor includes a plurality of super-pixels.

Abstract: A circuit includes a selection circuit electrically coupled to pixels of a line of an event vision sensor. The selection circuit is configured to receive an activation signal from an active pixel of the line, generate an acknowledge signal in response to receiving the activation signal, and send the acknowledge signal to the pixels of the line. The circuit also includes a control circuit that is electrically coupled to a pixel having a largest distance to the selection circuit among the pixels of the line. The control circuit is configured to receive the acknowledge signal from the selection circuit, and generate a process-reading signal in response to receiving the acknowledge signal. The circuit also includes an interface circuit electrically coupled to the pixels of the line and configured to cause a reset of the selection circuit, the control circuit, and the pixels of the line after receiving the process-reading signal.

Abstract: A circuit includes a selection circuit electrically coupled to pixels of a line of an event vision sensor. The selection circuit is configured to receive an activation signal from an active pixel of the line, generate an acknowledge signal in response to receiving the activation signal, and send the acknowledge signal to the pixels of the line. The circuit also includes a control circuit that is electrically coupled to a pixel having a largest distance to the selection circuit among the pixels of the line. The control circuit is configured to receive the acknowledge signal from the selection circuit, and generate a process-reading signal in response to receiving the acknowledge signal. The circuit also includes an interface circuit electrically coupled to the pixels of the line and configured to cause a reset of the selection circuit, the control circuit, and the pixels of the line after receiving the process-reading signal.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive element, and a photo-signal converter adapted to provide, on a first output, a current signal linearly proportional to the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element and to provide, on a second output, a voltage signal logarithmic with the intensity of light impinging on the photosensitive element. Each pixel further includes a detector adapted to generate a trigger signal when a signal of the detector proportional to the voltage signal of the second output of the photo-signal converter exceeds a threshold, and a light-to-time converter adapted to measure and encode, in the time domain, light intensity on the photosensitive element. A light-to-time conversion cycle may be initiated by the light-to-time converter in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to image sensors and methods for image sensing. More specifically, and without limitation, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing super-pixels, and implementing and using image sensors with super-pixels. In one implementation, an image sensor includes a plurality of super-pixels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pixel circuit comprising a photo-sensor stage (10) comprising a photodiode (1) delivering a photoreceptor current (Iph), a comparison stage (30) configured for detecting a change in a signal voltage (Vph) derived from said photoreceptor current, a sample-and-hold circuit (50) connected to the converting stage (20) and to the comparison stage (30), said comparison stage (30) configured to output an input signal for the sample-and-hold circuit (50), and for emitting a sampling signal to a control terminal of the sample-and-hold circuit (50) when a change is detected in the signal voltage (Vph).

Abstract: A pixel circuit for detecting time-dependent visual data includes a photo sensing device detecting a light intensity and generating a signal representing the detected light intensity. The pixel circuit further includes: a voltage amplifier configured for amplifying the signal representing the detected light intensity and generating an amplified signal, the amplified signal being generated by taking into account a control signal which shifts an input voltage offset of the voltage amplifier; a hysteresis comparing module configured for comparing the amplified signal to at least one threshold value and to a reference value and for generating at least one output signal based on the comparison; and a feedback control module configured for generating the control signal of the voltage amplifier based on the at least one output signal generated by the hysteresis comparing module.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pixel circuit comprising a photo-sensor stage (10) comprising a photodiode (1) delivering a photoreceptor current (Iph), a comparison stage (30) configured for detecting a change in a signal voltage (Vph) derived from said photoreceptor current, a sample-and-hold circuit (50) connected to the converting stage (20) and to the comparison stage (30), said comparison stage (30) configured to output an input signal for the sample-and-hold circuit (50), and for emitting a sampling signal to a control terminal of the sample-and-hold circuit (50) when a change is detected in the signal voltage (Vph).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for driving a Time-of-Flight system for use with an illumination system being adapted to illuminate a scene with a modulated signal, the ToF system having an imaging sensor comprising at least one pixel, said pixel comprising taps driven by driving signals for detecting the modulated signal reflected from the scene, the method comprising, for each pixel, the steps of determining at least a first and a second pair of taps and driving each pair of taps to detect the reflected modulated signal during a predetermined number N of cycles of the modulated signal.