Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for detecting a depth of an object illuminated by at least one first light pulse. Detection of light reflected from the object illuminated by the at least one first light pulse by a first row of pixels of 2D pixel array is enabled for a first predetermined period of time in which the first row of pixels forms an epipolar line of a scanning line of a first light pulse. Enabling of the detection by the first row of pixels for the first predetermined period of time occurs a second predetermined period of time after a beginning of a pulse cycle T of the at least one first light pulse. Detection signals are generated corresponding to the detected light reflected from the object, and the generated detection signals are used to determine a depth of the object.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of nanoantennas that satisfy sub-wavelength conditions. Each of the nanoantennas includes a diode and a transistor. Each diode is either a PN diode or a PIN diode.

Abstract: An imaging device includes at least a first group of pixels. A driver block is configured to generate at least two shutter signals, each having on-phases periodically alternating with off-phases. The shutter signals might not be in phase. The imaging device may have an optical shutter that is partitioned in two or more parts, or a set of two or more optical shutters. The shutter parts, or the shutters, may receive the shutter signals, and accordingly open and close. A design of the driver block requires reduced power, which is highly desirable for mobile applications. Moreover, 3D imaging may be implemented that uses various time-of-flight configurations.

Abstract: A Dynamic Vision Sensor (DVS) pose-estimation system includes a DVS, a transformation estimator, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a camera-pose estimator based on sensor fusion. The DVS detects DVS events and shapes frames based on a number of accumulated DVS events. The transformation estimator estimates a 3D transformation of the DVS camera based on an estimated depth and matches confidence-level values within a camera-projection model such that at least one of a plurality of DVS events detected during a first frame corresponds to a DVS event detected during a second subsequent frame. The IMU detects inertial movements of the DVS with respect to world coordinates between the first and second frames. The camera-pose estimator combines information from a change in a pose of the camera-projection model between the first frame and the second frame based on the estimated transformation and the detected inertial movements of the DVS.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for a biometric camera system for a mobile device, comprise: a near infrared (NIR) light source on the mobile device that flashes a user of the mobile device with near infrared light during image capture; a biometric camera located on the mobile device offset from the NIR light source, the biometric camera comprising: an extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging lens; a bandpass filter located adjacent to the EDOF imaging lens to reject ambient light during image capture; and an imaging sensor located adjacent the bandpass filter that converts an optical image of an object into an electronic signal for image processing; and a processor configured to receive video images of an iris of a user from the image sensor, and attempt to match the video images of the iris with previously registered images stored in an iris database, wherein if a match is found, the user is authenticated.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed that use a double-readout technique to generate timestamps and grayscale values for pixel-specific outputs of a pixel row in a pixel array in which the pixel array forms an image plane and the row of pixels forms an epipolar line of a scanning line on the image plane. For a pixel-specific output that exceeds a threshold, a timestamp value and a grayscale value are generated and associated with the pixel-specific output. If a pixel-specific output does not exceed the threshold and no timestamp is generated (i.e., a missing timestamp), a grayscale value for the pixel-specific output is generated and associated with the pixel-specific output. Timestamps errors may be corrected that may be caused by missing timestamps, timestamps that are associated with pixel clusters and outlier timestamps, i.e., pixel-specific outputs that are not consistent with a monotonic relationship of timestamp values under normal conditions.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for a biometric camera system for a mobile device, comprise: a near infrared (NIR) light source on the mobile device that flashes a user of the mobile device with near infrared light during image capture; a biometric camera located on the mobile device offset from the NIR light source, the biometric camera comprising: an extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging lens; a bandpass filter located adjacent to the EDOF imaging lens to reject ambient light during image capture; and an imaging sensor located adjacent the bandpass filter that converts an optical image of an object into an electronic signal for image processing; and a processor configured to receive video images of an iris of a user from the image sensor, and attempt to match the video images of the iris with previously registered images stored in an iris database, wherein if a match is found, the user is authenticated.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes an image representation unit configured to receive a sequence of frames generated from events sensed by a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) and generate a confidence map from non-noise events; and an image denoising unit connected to the image representation unit and configured to denoise an image in a spatio-temporal domain. The method includes receiving, by an image representation unit, a sequence of frames generated from events sensed by a DVS, and generating a confidence map from non-noise events; and denoising, by an image denoising unit connected to the image representation unit, images formed from the frames in a spatio-temporal domain.

Abstract: The Time-of-Flight (TOF) technique is combined with analog amplitude modulation within each pixel in an image sensor. The pixel may be a two-tap pixel or a one-tap pixel. Two photoelectron receiver circuits in the pixel receive respective analog modulating signals. The distribution of the received photoelectron charge between these two circuits is controlled by the difference (or ratio) of the two analog modulating voltages. The differential signals generated in this manner within the pixel are modulated in time domain for TOF measurement. Thus, the TOF information is added to the received light signal by the analog domain-based single-ended to differential converter inside the pixel itself. The TOF-based measurement of range and its resolution are controllable by changing the duration of modulation. An autonomous navigation system with these features may provide improved vision for drivers under difficult driving conditions like low light, fog, bad weather, or strong ambient light.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an imaging device includes a pixel array. At least one of the pixels includes a photodiode that can generate charges, and a select transistor that receives the charges in its bulk. When the select transistor is selected, a pixel current through it may depend on a number of the received charges, thus evidencing how much light it detected. A reset transistor may reset the voltage of the bulk.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed that use a double-readout technique to generate timestamps and grayscale values for pixel-specific outputs of a pixel row in a pixel array in which the pixel array forms an image plane and the row of pixels forms an epipolar line of a scanning line on the image plane. For a pixel-specific output that exceeds a threshold, a timestamp value and a grayscale value are generated and associated with the pixel-specific output. If a pixel-specific output does not exceed the threshold and no timestamp is generated (i.e., a missing timestamp), a grayscale value for the pixel-specific output is generated and associated with the pixel-specific output. Timestamps errors may be corrected that may be caused by missing timestamps, timestamps that are associated with pixel clusters and outlier timestamps, i.e., pixel-specific outputs that are not consistent with a monotonic relationship of timestamp values under normal conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes an image representation unit configured to receive a sequence of frames generated from events sensed by a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) and generate a confidence map from non-noise events; and an image denoising unit connected to the image representation unit and configured to denoise an image in a spatio-temporal domain. The method includes receiving, by an image representation unit, a sequence of frames generated from events sensed by a DVS, and generating a confidence map from non-noise events; and denoising, by an image denoising unit connected to the image representation unit, images formed from the frames in a spatio-temporal domain.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) configured to generate a stream of events, where an event includes a location and a binary value indicating a positive or a negative change in luminance; a sampling unit connected to the DVS and configured to sample the stream of events; and an image formation unit connected to the sampling unit and configured to form an image for each sample of the stream of events, wherein a manner of sampling by the sampling unit is adjusted to reduce variations between images formed by the image formation unit.

Abstract: MQW devices, IC chips and methods may be used in semiconductor lithography patterning systems. An MQW device includes an array of pixels that have transmission elements and associated support circuits. The support circuits have preliminary memory cells and final memory cells. The final memory cells store transmittance values that control transmittances of the associated transmission elements. This way, exposure of a target with a lithography system for purposes of patterning the target may be performed through the transmission elements according to the controlled transmittances, while subsequent transmittance values are being received by the preliminary memory cells from memory banks. The exposure of the target therefore needs to pause for less time, in order to wait for the MQW device to be refreshed with the subsequent transmittance values. Accordingly the whole semiconductor lithography patterning system may operate faster and thus have more throughput.

Abstract: An image signal processing (ISP) system is provided. The system includes a neural network trained by inputting a set of raw data images and a correlating set of desired quality output images; the neural network including an input for receiving input image data and providing processed output; wherein the processed output includes input image data that has been adjusted for at least one image quality attribute. A method and an imaging device are disclosed.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture a two-dimensional (2D) image and three-dimensional (3D) depth measurements for a 3D object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor operates as a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) to generate timestamps. When the epipolar line is misaligned or curved, multiple TDC arrays acquire timestamps of multiple pixels (in multiple rows) substantially simultaneously. Multiple timestamp values are reconciled to obtain a single timestamp value for a light spot.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided. The apparatus includes a light source configured to project light in a changing pattern that reduces the light's noticeability; collection optics through which light passes and forms an epipolar plane with the light source; and an image sensor configured to receive light passed through the collection optics to acquire image information and depth information simultaneously. The method includes projecting light by a light source in a changing pattern that reduces the light's noticeability; passing light through collection optics and forming an epipolar plane between the collection optics and the light source; and receiving in an image sensor light passed through the collection optics to acquire image information and depth information simultaneously.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture a two-dimensional (2D) image and three-dimensional (3D) depth measurements for a 3D object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor operates as a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) to generate timestamps. When the epipolar line is misaligned or curved, multiple TDC arrays acquire timestamps of multiple pixels (in multiple rows) substantially simultaneously. Multiple timestamp values are reconciled to obtain a single timestamp value for a light spot.

Abstract: A range sensor and a method thereof. The range sensor includes a light source configured to project a sheet of light at an angle within a field of view (FOV); an image sensor offset from the light source; collection optics; and a controller connected to the light source, the image sensor, and the collection optics, and configured to determine a range of a distant object based on direct time-of-flight and determine a range of a near object based on triangulation. The method includes projecting, by a light source, a sheet of light at an angle within an FOV; offsetting an image sensor from the light source; collecting, by collection optics, the sheet of light reflected off objects; and determining, by a controller connected to the light source, the image sensor, and the collection optics, a range of a distant object based on direct time-of-flight and a range of a near object based on triangulation simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for detecting a depth of an object illuminated by at least one first light pulse. Detection of light reflected from the object illuminated by the at least one first light pulse by a first row of pixels of 2D pixel array is enabled for a first predetermined period of time in which the first row of pixels forms an epipolar line of a scanning line of a first light pulse. Enabling of the detection by the first row of pixels for the first predetermined period of time occurs a second predetermined period of time after a beginning of a pulse cycle T of the at least one first light pulse. Detection signals are generated corresponding to the detected light reflected from the object, and the generated detection signals are used to determine a depth of the object.