Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a photodiode configured to photo generate image charge in response to incident light, a floating diffusion coupled to receive the image charge from the photodiode, a transfer transistor coupled between the photodiode and the floating diffusion to transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion, a reset transistor coupled between a variable voltage source and the floating diffusion, wherein the reset transistor is configured to be switched in response to a reset control signal, and a lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) coupled between the variable voltage source and the floating diffusion. The variable voltage source is configured to output a high-voltage level during a high conversion gain (HCG) reset signal readout and an HCG image signal readout, and a mid-voltage level during a LOFIC image signal readout and a LOFIC reset signal readout.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel array with odd and even pixel cells. Each of the odd and even pixel cells includes a photodiode, a floating diffusion, a transfer transistor, a reset transistor, a lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC), and an overflow gate (OFG) transistor. The imaging system further includes a readout circuit with a sample and hold (SH) circuit and an analog to digital converter. The OFG transistor of each of the odd and even pixel cells is configured to direct the image charge photogenerated by the respective photodiode away from the respective transfer transistor and reduce photodiode exposure shift during LOFIC readouts during a global transfer period.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel array with odd and even pixel cells. Each of the odd and even pixel cells includes a photodiode, a floating diffusion, a transfer transistor, a reset transistor, a lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC), and an overflow gate (OFG) transistor. The imaging system further includes a readout circuit with a sample and hold (SH) circuit and an analog to digital converter. The OFG transistor of each of the odd and even pixel cells is configured to direct the image charge photogenerated by the respective photodiode away from the respective transfer transistor and reduce photodiode exposure shift during LOFIC readouts during a global transfer period.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a photodiode configured to photo generate image charge in response to incident light, a floating diffusion coupled to receive the image charge from the photodiode, a transfer transistor coupled between the photodiode and the floating diffusion to transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion, a reset transistor coupled between a variable voltage source and the floating diffusion, wherein the reset transistor is configured to be switched in response to a reset control signal, and a lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) coupled between the variable voltage source and the floating diffusion. The variable voltage source is configured to output a high-voltage level during a high conversion gain (HCG) reset signal readout and an HCG image signal readout, and a mid-voltage level during a LOFIC image signal readout and a LOFIC reset signal readout.

Abstract: Pixel designs with reduced LOFIC reset and settling times are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pixel cell includes a photosensor configured to photogenerate image charge in response to incident light, a floating diffusion to receive the image charge from the photosensor, a transfer transistor coupled between the floating diffusion and the photosensor to transfer the image charge to the floating diffusion, and a first reset transistor coupled between the floating diffusion and the voltage supply. The pixel cell further includes a capacitor having two ends, and a second reset transistor. A first end of the capacitor is coupled to the floating diffusion. The second reset transistor is coupled between a second end of the capacitor and the voltage supply.

Abstract: A flat-knitted three-dimensional fabric with an internal support structure, and the fabric is consisted of an upper surface layer, a lower surface layer, and a support structure yarn in a middle, wherein the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer comprise alternate-knitted single-sided stitches and fully-knitted single-sided stitches; the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer are connected by means of tuck knitting of the support structure yarn in the middle to form the integrally formed three-dimensional fabric with an internal support structure; and the alternate-knitted single-sided stitches are correspond to tuck loops formed by the support structure yarn and are used to lock the tuck loops formed by the support structure yarn in the middle, such that the support structure yarn will not puncture the surfaces of the fabric when the fabric is pressed.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a pixel array of pixel cells. Each pixel cell includes photodiodes to photogenerate charge in response to incident light and a source follower to generate an image data signal in response to the charge photogenerated from the photodiodes. An image readout circuit is coupled to the pixel cells to read out the image data signal generated from the source follower of at least one of the pixel cells of a row of the pixel array. An event driven circuit is coupled to the pixel cells to read out the event data signals generated in response to the charge from the photodiodes of another row of the pixel cells of the pixel array. The image readout circuit is coupled to read out the image data signal and the event driven circuit is coupled to read out the event data signals from pixel array simultaneously.

Abstract: A global shutter readout circuit includes a pixel enable signal and a first sample and hold (SH) signal that are configured to turn ON a pixel enable transistor and a first storage transistor at a first time during a global transfer period. The pixel enable signal is configured to begin a transition to an OFF level at a second time and complete the transition to the OFF level at a third time to turn OFF the pixel enable transistor. The first SH signal is configured to begin a transition to the OFF level at a fourth time, which occurs after the second and third times, and complete the transition to the OFF level at a fifth time to turn OFF the first storage transistor. An OFF transition duration between the fourth and fifth times is greater than an ON transition duration of the first SH signal at the first time.

Abstract: A global shutter readout circuit includes a reset transistor coupled between a reset voltage and a bitline. A pixel enable transistor is coupled between the reset transistor and a source follower transistor. First and second terminals of the pixel enable transistor are coupled together in response to a pixel enable signal coupled to a third terminal of the pixel enable transistor. A first storage transistor coupled to the second terminal of the pixel enable transistor and the gate of the source follower transistor. A first storage capacitor is coupled to the first storage transistor. A second storage transistor coupled to the second terminal of the pixel enable transistor and the gate of the source follower transistor. A second storage capacitor is coupled to the second storage transistor. A row select transistor is coupled to the source follower transistor to generate an output signal from the global shutter readout circuit.

Abstract: A switch driver circuit includes a plurality of pullup transistors. The plurality of pullup transistors includes a first pullup transistor coupled between a voltage supply and a first output node. A plurality of pulldown transistors includes a first pulldown transistor coupled between the first output node and a ground node. A slope control circuit is coupled to the ground node. A plurality of global connection switches includes a first global connection switch coupled between the first output node and the slope control circuit.

Abstract: A flat-knitted three-dimensional fabric with an internal support structure, and the fabric is consisted of an upper surface layer, a lower surface layer, and a support structure yarn in a middle, wherein the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer comprise alternate-knitted single-sided stitches and fully-knitted single-sided stitches; the upper surface layer and the lower surface layer are connected by means of tuck knitting of the support structure yarn in the middle to form the integrally formed three-dimensional fabric with an internal support structure; and the alternate-knitted single-sided stitches are correspond to tuck loops formed by the support structure yarn and are used to lock the tuck loops formed by the support structure yarn in the middle, such that the support structure yarn will not puncture the surfaces of the fabric when the fabric is pressed.

Abstract: An event driven pixel includes a photodiode configured to photogenerate charge in response to incident light received from an external scene. A photocurrent to voltage converter is coupled to the photodiode to convert photocurrent generated by the photodiode to a voltage. A filter amplifier is coupled to the photocurrent to voltage converter to generate a filtered and amplified signal in response to the voltage received from the photocurrent to voltage converter. A threshold comparison stage is coupled to the filter amplifier to compare the filtered and amplified signal received from the filter amplifier with thresholds to asynchronously detect events in the external scene in response to the incident light. A digital time stamp generator is coupled to asynchronously generate a digital time stamp in response to the events asynchronously detected in the external scene by the threshold comparison stage.

Abstract: Provided is a medication decision support method and apparatus based on a graphics state machine. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring a medication consultation statement of a user; extracting a symptom information entity, an allergy information entity and an disease onset information entity in the medication consultation statement; forming a graphics state machine set with a high response speed to a target event; analyzing the disease degree information in the medication consultation statement of the user and an emotion word segmentation dictionary, and comparing the disease degree information with the disease degree information spoken to obtain a corrected value of the disease degree; removing excessive judgment or underestimated judgment, on the disease degree, and obtaining accurate disease degree information; and achieving medication decision support aiming at accurate disease degree information through the medication decision support device.

Abstract: An event driven sensor includes an arrangement of photodiodes including an inner portion laterally surrounded by an outer portion. An outer pixel cell circuit is coupled to generate an outer pixel value in response to photocurrent generated by the outer portion. The outer pixel value is a binned signal representative of an average value of brightness of incident light on the arrangement of photodiodes. An inner pixel cell circuit is coupled to the inner portion to generate an inner pixel value in response to photocurrent generated by from the inner portion. An event driven circuit is coupled to the outer pixel cell circuit and the inner pixel cell circuit. The event driven circuit is coupled to generate an output signal responsive to an inner brightness indicated by the inner pixel value relative to an outer brightness indicated by the outer pixel value.

Abstract: An event driven pixel includes a photodiode configured to photogenerate charge in response to incident light received from an external scene. A photocurrent to voltage converter is coupled to the photodiode to convert photocurrent generated by the photodiode to a voltage. A filter amplifier is coupled to the photocurrent to voltage converter to generate a filtered and amplified signal in response to the voltage received from the photocurrent to voltage converter. A threshold comparison stage is coupled to the filter amplifier to compare the filtered and amplified signal received from the filter amplifier with thresholds to asynchronously detect events in the external scene in response to the incident light. A digital time stamp generator is coupled to asynchronously generate a digital time stamp in response to the events asynchronously detected in the external scene by the threshold comparison stage.

Abstract: Switching techniques for fast voltage settling in image sensors are described. In one embodiment, an image sensor includes a plurality of lateral overflow integrating capacitor (LOFIC) pixels arranged in rows and columns of a pixel array. The plurality of pixels includes an active pixel configured for exposure to light, and a dummy pixel at least partially protected from exposure to light. A common bitline (BL) is couplable to the active pixel and the dummy pixel. A comparator (OA1) is coupled to the bitline. The comparator is configured to receive a pixel voltage (Vx) from the active pixel on one input and a ramp voltage (Vy) on another input. Charge accumulated by the active pixel is determined at least in part by an intersection between the ramp voltage and the pixel voltage.

Abstract: An event driven sensor includes an arrangement of photodiodes including an inner portion laterally surrounded by an outer portion. An outer pixel cell circuit is coupled to generate an outer pixel value in response to photocurrent generated by the outer portion. The outer pixel value is a binned signal representative of an average value of brightness of incident light on the arrangement of photodiodes. An inner pixel cell circuit is coupled to the inner portion to generate an inner pixel value in response to photocurrent generated by from the inner portion. An event driven circuit is coupled to the outer pixel cell circuit and the inner pixel cell circuit. The event driven circuit is coupled to generate an output signal responsive to an inner brightness indicated by the inner pixel value relative to an outer brightness indicated by the outer pixel value.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a pixel array of pixel cells. Each pixel cell includes photodiodes to photogenerate charge in response to incident light and a source follower to generate an image data signal in response to the charge photogenerated from the photodiodes. An image readout circuit is coupled to the pixel cells to read out the image data signal generated from the source follower of at least one of the pixel cells of a row of the pixel array. An event driven circuit is coupled to the pixel cells to read out the event data signals generated in response to the charge from the photodiodes of another row of the pixel cells of the pixel array. The image readout circuit is coupled to read out the image data signal and the event driven circuit is coupled to read out the event data signals from pixel array simultaneously.

Abstract: Switching techniques for fast voltage settling in image sensors are described. In one embodiment, an image sensor includes a plurality of lateral overflow integrating capacitor (LOFIC) pixels arranged in rows and columns of a pixel array. The plurality of pixels includes an active pixel configured for exposure to light, and a dummy pixel at least partially protected from exposure to light. A common bitline (BL) is couplable to the active pixel and the dummy pixel. A comparator (OA1) is coupled to the bitline. The comparator is configured to receive a pixel voltage (Vx) from the active pixel on one input and a ramp voltage (Vy) on another input. Charge accumulated by the active pixel is determined at least in part by an intersection between the ramp voltage and the pixel voltage.

Abstract: A switch driver circuit includes a plurality of pullup transistors. The plurality of pullup transistors includes a first pullup transistor coupled between a voltage supply and a first output node. A plurality of pulldown transistors includes a first pulldown transistor coupled between the first output node and a ground node. A slope control circuit is coupled to the ground node. A plurality of global connection switches includes a first global connection switch coupled between the first output node and the slope control circuit.