Readout Of Solid-state Image Sensor Considered Or Altered Patents (Class 348/230.1)
  • Patent number: 12096141
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a photodiode configured to photogenerate image charge in response to incident light. A floating diffusion is coupled to receive the image charge from the photodiode. A transfer transistor is coupled between the photodiode and the floating diffusion. The transfer transistor is configured to transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. A reset transistor is coupled between a reset voltage and the floating diffusion. A lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) network is coupled between the reset transistor and a bias voltage source. The LOFIC network includes a main LOFIC coupled between the reset transistor and the bias voltage source, and a plurality of subordinate capacitor-switch pairs, each including a subordinate LOFIC and a switch transistor coupled to the subordinate LOFIC. Each of the plurality of subordinate capacitor-switch pairs is coupled between the reset transistor and the bias voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yifei Du, Zhiqiang Lin, Bill Phan, Woon Il Choi
  • Patent number: 11689828
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern; and a pixel signal read-out unit including an AD conversion unit performing analog-to-digital (AD) conversion of a pixel signal read out from the pixel unit, wherein each pixel included in the pixel unit includes division pixels divided into regions in which photosensitivity levels or electric charge accumulating amounts are different from one another, the pixel signal reading unit includes a normal read-out mode and a multiple read-out mode, and includes a function of changing a configuration of a frame in accordance with a change of the read-out mode, and wherein the AD conversion unit acquires a pixel signal of one pixel by adding the division pixel signals while performing AD conversion for the division pixel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Minagawa, Go Asayama
  • Patent number: 11490044
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging element including: a photoelectric conversion unit formed by stacking a first electrode 21, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode, in which the photoelectric conversion unit further includes a charge storage electrode 24 that has an opposite region 24a opposite to the first electrode 21 via an insulating layer 82, and a transfer control electrode 25 that is opposite to the first electrode 21 and the charge storage electrode 24 via the insulating layer 82, and the photoelectric conversion layer is disposed above at least the charge storage electrode 24 via the insulating layer 82.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Sato, Fumihiko Koga
  • Patent number: 11412148
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electronic device (e.g., a camera) for improving image quality in a zoom scenario, and a control method thereof. The electronic device may display a preview image including an image generated from information acquired through the image sensor, perform a zoom-in operation or a zoom-out operation for the preview image, determine whether it is necessary to change an output mode of the image sensor in response to the zoom-in or the zoom-out operation, and generate an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) instruction for changing the output mode of the sensor. Upon determining that it is necessary to change the output mode of the image sensor, control the sensor to change the output mode of the sensor by executing the generated I2C instruction while the image sensor maintains an active state, and change a sensor index recorded in a register to have access to information on a sensor mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sangmin Moon
  • Patent number: 11310452
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus which make it possible to improve pixel property. Provided is a solid-state imaging device, including a first electrode formed on a semiconductor layer, a photoelectric conversion layer formed on the first electrode, a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion layer, and a third electrode disposed between the first electrode and an adjacent first electrode, and electrically insulated. A voltage of the third electrode is controlled to a voltage corresponding to a detection result which contributes to control of discharge of charges or assist for transfer of charges. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Uesugi, Fumihiko Koga, Keisuke Hatano
  • Patent number: 11277571
    Abstract: An image generation device includes: a voltage generator that generates a plurality of voltages each having a different voltage value; an image capturer that includes an organic photoconductive film, and performs imaging every time each of the plurality of voltages is applied; a luminance data obtainer that obtains a plurality of luminance data items corresponding to the plurality of voltages applied, each of the plurality of luminance data items being obtained from the imaging performed by the image capturer; and a color image generator that generates a color image based on the plurality of luminance data items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Nobori, Satoshi Sato, Takeo Azuma, Nobuhiko Wakai, Mitsuru Harada, Shinichi Machida, Masumi Izuchi
  • Patent number: 11264371
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 11223759
    Abstract: An exposure method and an image sensing device using the same are provided. The exposure method includes the following steps: obtaining a first light-intensity confidence value of each pixel unit based on a first exposure time; obtaining a second light-intensity confidence value of each pixel unit based on a second exposure time, wherein the second light-intensity confidence value is different from the first light-intensity confidence value; and taking the phase difference value, corresponding to one of the light-intensity confidence value and the second light-intensity confidence value of each pixel unit, as an output value of the corresponding pixel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventors: Shou-Te Wei, Wei-Chih Chen, Jun-Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 11196940
    Abstract: A video camera system includes a video capture device and a camera controller. The video capture device includes a sensor that receives light, a shutter that selectively permits the light to be received at the sensor based on a shutter speed, and a frame processor that generates a plurality of video frames based on the light. The camera controller includes a frame parameter calculator that calculates a luminance parameter of the plurality of frames, a frequency domain analyzer that executes a frequency domain analysis based on the luminance parameter to generate a plurality of luminance amplitude values mapped to a plurality of frequencies, and a control signal generator that generates a target shutter speed based on the plurality of luminance amplitude values mapped to the plurality of frequencies, and transmits a control signal based on the target shutter speed to cause the shutter to operate at the target shutter speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Walter A. Martin, Terry Neill
  • Patent number: 11194227
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for exposure control. The systems and methods may obtain a target frame brightness value of the image. The systems and methods may also obtain an exposure mode of the electronic device. The systems and methods may also obtain an exposure table corresponding to the exposure mode. The systems and methods may also determine a target value, corresponding to the target frame brightness value, for each of the one or more exposure parameters based on the exposure table. The systems and methods may also adjust one or more of the at least one lens, the at least one exposure-time controller, and the at least one sensor according to the target values of the one or more exposure parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Runfa Pan, Quan Chen, Guangyue Shen, Yanfen Zhou, Lu Kuang
  • Patent number: 11184537
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for focusing are provided. The method includes: determining a switch from a first imaging mode to a second imaging mode, wherein the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode have different exposures; making illumination adjustment to a first feature template of a target object in the first imaging mode according to first illumination information of the target object in the first imaging mode and second illumination information of the target object in the second imaging mode to obtain a second feature template; and searching for the target object according to the second feature template in the second imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ArcSoft Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Lin Naiyang, Xi Wenxing
  • Patent number: 10978970
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotation body, a motor, a drive controller, a rotating speed detector, a rotation error determination circuit, and a filter. The rotation body is provided on an outer peripheral surface of an elongated insertion section and configured to be rotatable around a longitudinal axis. The motor rotates the rotation body. The drive controller controls driving of the motor. The rotating speed detector detects a rotating speed of the motor based on an encoder signal output from an encoder. The rotation error determination circuit determines an error in rotation of the rotation body based on the detected rotating speed. The filter passes, as the encoder signal, only a signal having a frequency, outside a frequency band of a high-frequency signal of a high-frequency treatment instrument, of signals input to the rotating speed detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Umemoto, Takashi Suzuki, Toshihiro Kumagai, Takuro Onda
  • Patent number: 10951866
    Abstract: An image sensor device includes a plurality of color filter units arranged in an array, each of the color filter units comprising an array of n*m color filters, and n and m are integers equal to or greater than 3. The plurality of color filter units includes a plurality of first color filter units, a plurality of second color filter units, and a plurality of third color filter units. The color filters of the first color filter units are transmissive to light beams within a first wavelength range, the color filters of the second color filter units are transmissive to light beams within a second wavelength range, and the color filters of the third color filter units are transmissive to light beams within a third wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10827138
    Abstract: A photodetector arrangement having adjustable output, comprises a photodetector having an array of pixels wherein each pixel. The pixels are arranged to convert electromagnetic radiation into an analog detection data signal, respectively. A readout circuit is coupled to the photodetector and comprises a receiving component and a combining component. The receiving component is arranged to read out detection data signals, to select at least one detection data signal depending on a control signal and to adjust gain and polarity of the selected detection data signal. The combining component is arranged to combine the detection data signals into one or more output signals to be provided at one or more output terminals. A control unit is coupled to the readout circuit via a control terminal and is arranged to provide the control signal at the readout circuit depending on a set of instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ams International AG
    Inventors: Todd Bishop, Glenn Lee, Dan Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10805555
    Abstract: An image processing device is including a first lens, a second lens disposed on one side of the first lens, a third lens disposed on the other side of the first lens, a first image sensor which receives an input of a first image obtained from the first lens to generate a first image signal, a second image sensor which receives an input of a second image obtained from the second lens to generate a second image signal, a third image sensor which receives an input of a third image obtained from the third lens to generate a third image signal, a selector which receives the input of the second image signal and the third image signal, outputs the second image signal under a first condition, and outputs the third image signal, under a second condition different from the first condition and an image processor which performs image processing, using the first image signal and an output signal of the selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ser Hoon Lee, Choon Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 10748956
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 10721409
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for exposure control. The systems and methods may obtain a target frame brightness value of the image. The systems and methods may also obtain an exposure mode of the electronic device. The systems and methods may also obtain an exposure table corresponding to the exposure mode. The systems and methods may also determine a target value, corresponding to the target frame brightness value, for each of the one or more exposure parameters based on the exposure table. The systems and methods may also adjust one or more of the at least one lens, the at least one exposure-time controller, and the at least one sensor according to the target values of the one or more exposure parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanfen Zhou, Runfa Pan, Liangcheng Li, Qianfeng Huang, Erli Lu, Mingzhu Chen
  • Patent number: 10616522
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern; and a pixel signal read-out unit including an AD conversion unit performing analog-to-digital (AD) conversion of a pixel signal read out from the pixel unit, wherein each pixel included in the pixel unit includes division pixels divided into regions in which photosensitivity levels or electric charge accumulating amounts are different from one another, the pixel signal reading unit includes a normal read-out mode and a multiple read-out mode, and includes a function of changing a configuration of a frame in accordance with a change of the read-out mode, and wherein the AD conversion unit acquires a pixel signal of one pixel by adding the division pixel signals while performing AD conversion for the division pixel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Minagawa, Go Asayama
  • Patent number: 10523881
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are described providing a high dynamic range pixel. An integration period has multiple sub-integration periods during which charges are accumulated in a photosensor and repeatedly transferred to a storage node, where the charges are accumulated for later transfer to another storage node for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Parker Altice
  • Patent number: 10448817
    Abstract: Endoscopic device incorporating diode lasers for use in PDD, PDT and AF applications. Devices according to the invention do not require an external light source, bulb lamp, or light delivery cables. Multiple laser diodes and multiple wavelengths can be employed in continuous or pulsed applications for simultaneous multi-mode diagnostic readout or simultaneous diagnostic readout and treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Karl Storz Endovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Gingras
  • Patent number: 10441135
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope, an illumination portion, a light adjustment portion, an insertion channel configured to allow insertion of a laser probe capable of radiating an aiming monochromatic laser beam, a gain control portion, a halation detection portion, and a control portion, and in a case that halation by the aiming monochromatic laser beam is detected in the halation detection portion, the control portion controls the light adjustment portion to adjust the illumination light and controls the gain control portion to control the gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Matsui, Shinji Yamashita, Yuzuru Tanabe, Yuta Matsuno
  • Patent number: 10432905
    Abstract: An image processing method is provided. The image sensor is controlled to output the merged image. It is determined whether there is a target object in the merged image. When there is the target object in the merged image, the merged image is converted into a merged true-color image. An image processing apparatus and an electronic device are provided. With the image processing method, the image processing apparatus and the electronic device, by determining whether there is a target object in the merged image, the image sensor is controlled to output a suitable image. The situation that the image sensor needs to take a long work to output a high quality image can be avoided, such that the work time is reduced, the work efficiency is improved, thus improving the user satisfaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi Wei
  • Patent number: 10375297
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method for supplying an optimum amount of image data to another apparatus. When a PDA 91 has a maximum transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps, a mobile phone 1 determines that a maximum speed of communication with the PDA 91 is low, reduces accordingly the amount of moving image data captured by a CCD of the mobile phone, and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA 91. The PDA 91 displays a low-quality moving image 93 on its display unit. When the PDA 91 has a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps, the CPU of the mobile phone leaves unchanged the amount of moving picture data captured by the CCD and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA 91. The PDA 91 then displays a high-quality moving image 94 on the display unit. This invention applies advantageously to digital cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Chisato Yoshida, Osamu Date
  • Patent number: 10362279
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, wherein each of the pixels includes a pair of photoelectric conversion devices, an analog to digital converter that converts a pair of pixel signals corresponding to charges accumulated in the pair of photoelectric conversion devices included in each of the pixels into a pair of digital signals, and a circuit receiving the pair of digital signals being output from each of the pixels, detecting a pixel including a photoelectric conversion device outputting a saturation current based on the received pairs in the detected pixel to output a correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seongyeong Jeong, Kyu-Min Kyung
  • Patent number: 10321049
    Abstract: Photographing control methods, apparatuses, and devices are described. A method comprises: determining a first orientation of a photographing device and a second orientation corresponding to a scenario mode; and determining, in response to that the first orientation is different from the second orientation, an imaging mode of the photographing device according to the second orientation. In this regard, an appropriate imaging mode is determined according to a second orientation when a first orientation of a photographing device is different from the second orientation corresponding to a scenario mode, to separate orientating of the photographing device from imaging of an imaging module, and therefore a photographing effect is not affected while consideration is given to both device gripping stability and operational convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Beijing Zhigu Rui Tuo Tech Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Dayong Ding
  • Patent number: 10309907
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for reflecting, towards a sensor, an Infrared to vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) light that is reflected from a target substrate. The system includes a first mirror arranged to receive and reflect the Infrared to VUV light that is reflected from the target substrate and a second mirror arranged to receive and reflect Infrared to VUV light that is reflected by the first mirror. The first and second mirrors are arranged and shaped so as to reflect Infrared to VUV light from the target substrate towards an optical axis of the apparatus. In another embodiment, the apparatus can also include a third mirror arranged to receive and reflect the Infrared to VUV light that is reflected by the second mirror and a fourth mirror arranged to receive and reflect such illuminating light that is reflected by the third mirror towards the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Shiyu Zhang, Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10242268
    Abstract: A method includes generating an intensity value based on illumination received at a pixel of an imaging system. The intensity value is generated by integrating values using a first counter of a detector during a first period of time. The method also includes integrating the values repeatedly during smaller second periods of time within the first period of time using a second counter of the detector. The second counter has a lower bit resolution than the first counter. The method further includes resetting the second counter for each of the second periods of time. In addition, the method includes generating a pixel event indicator in response to the second counter outputting a specified value. The method may also include determining whether one or more neighboring detectors also generated one or more pixel event indicators and generating an event indicator when the one or more neighboring detectors also generated the one or more pixel event indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Micky R. Harris, Eric J. Beuville, Juliette S. Costa, Christian M. Boemler, Mark A. Massie
  • Patent number: 10229951
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 10217202
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus acquires a first image generated by image capturing, stores data about an image restoration filter that is used for an image restoration process and corresponds to a first F-number, stores interpolation data corresponding to each of a plurality of second F-numbers different from the first F-number, which relates to an interpolation proportion in an interpolation process, and generates, when an image capturing F-number as the F-number for the image capturing is one of the second F-numbers, a second image by performing for the first image a correction process that includes the image restoration process and the interpolation process, by using the image restoration filter corresponding to the first F-number and the interpolation data corresponding to the image capturing F-number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akimitsu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10212379
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a unit pixel including a pixel electrode, a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the pixel electrode, and a signal detection circuit electrically connected to the charge accumulation region; a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the electrodes; and a voltage supply circuit configured to selectively apply any one of first, second, and third voltages between the electrodes. The photoelectric conversion layer exhibits first and second wavelength sensitivity characteristics in a wavelength range when the voltage supply circuit applies the first and second voltages between the electrodes, respectively, and becomes insensitive to light in the wavelength range when the voltage supply circuit applies the third voltage between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Machida, Takeyoshi Tokuhara, Manabu Nakata, Sanshiro Shishido, Masaaki Yanagida, Masumi Izuchi
  • Patent number: 10199422
    Abstract: A plurality of pixel regions are aligned in a matrix in a semiconductor substrate, and each of the plurality of pixel regions includes an active region, two photoelectric conversion elements, two floating capacitance regions, and a first transistor. Each of the plurality of pixel regions includes two transfer transistors each having each of the two photoelectric conversion elements and each of the two floating capacitance regions. The first transistor is arranged within the pixel region, between one floating capacitance region and the other floating capacitance region of the two floating capacitance regions with respect to a direction in which the one floating capacitance region and the other floating capacitance region are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Araki
  • Patent number: 10178329
    Abstract: In an integrated-circuit image sensor having a pixel array, a first subframe readout policy is selected from among a plurality of subframe readout policies, each of the subframe readout policies specifying a first number of subframes of image data to be readout from the pixel array for each output image frame and respective exposure durations for each of the first number of subframes of image data, wherein a shortest one of the exposure durations is uniform for each of the subframe readout policies. Each of the first number of subframes of image data is read out from the pixel array following the respective exposure durations thereof while applying a respective analog readout gain. The analog readout gain applied during readout of at least a first subframe of the first number of subframes is scaled according to a ratio of the shortest one of the exposure durations to the exposure duration of the first subframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10128944
    Abstract: A device comprising an input for receiving image data representing light captured by a camera, and an image analysis module for detecting a coded light component modulated into the light with a modulation frequency. The camera has an exposure time, and the light is captured over a sequence of exposures each lasting for an instance of the exposure time. The detection performed by the image analysis module experiences a frequency blind spot in said detection due to an effect of said exposure time. To address this issue, the device further comprises an output for controlling one or more parameters of the camera which affect the exposure time, and a controller configured to control the one or more parameters to avoid that the modulation frequency corresponds to the frequency blind spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Stephanus Joseph Johannes Nijssen, Frederik Jan De Bruijn, Tommaso Gritti
  • Patent number: 10123684
    Abstract: An endoscope video processing system applies a blooming control feature to image frames of video data signals generated by viewing elements in the endoscope tip. A reduced digital gain is applied to a luminance (Y) component of the video data signal to generate an attenuated signal. An average luminance value of pixels neighboring a pixel of the attenuated signal is calculated and a function of the average luminance value is determined to generate a smoothly transitioning digital gain. The smoothly transitioning digital gain is conditioned using weights to generate a customizable digital gain, and the customizable digital gain is applied to the attenuated signal. This Local Blooming Control (LBC) facilitates a higher luminance digital gain in darker portions while maintaining a low or no luminance digital gain in brighter portions, within the same image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: EndoChoice, Inc.
    Inventors: Itay Sidar, Tal Davidson, Achia Kronman
  • Patent number: 10003733
    Abstract: A focus assist circuit for a viewfinder, including a video amplifier configured to amplify a video signal, a video gain controller configured to adjust gain of the video amplifier to provide peaking headroom, and a peaking processor configured to adjust the amplified video signal. The focus assist circuitry may facilitate focusing a camera lens by proving peaking headroom for a peaking signal that is combined with an amplified signal. The peaking headroom limits the gain applied to a video signal in order to reduce distortions in the peaks. A user interface may include input controls configured to limit the gain of the of a video amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Florus Bernardus Van Den Herik, Martin De Boer
  • Patent number: 9992379
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to partial snapshots for creating generalized snapshots. An example method may include, in response to an event, accessing a user interface screen or view associated with an application. The screen or view includes multiple pixels arranged over an area. The method may include sampling the multiple pixels by capturing a portion of the total pixels included in the screen or view. The sampling may include maintaining a dispersion of the captured pixels over the area of the screen or view and preventing clustering of captured pixels within sub-areas of the area. The method may include transmitting the captured portion as a partial snapshot to a system to create a generalized snapshot from the partial snapshot and other partial snapshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ENTIT SOFTWARE LLC
    Inventors: Nitsan Amichai, Haim Shuvali, Michael Gopshtein
  • Patent number: 9979883
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an imaging method for an image sensor, an imaging apparatus and an electronic device. The image sensor includes a photosensitive pixel array and a filter arranged on the photosensitive pixel array. The filter includes an array of filter units. Each filter unit and a number of adjacent photosensitive pixels covered by the filter unit in the photosensitive pixel array form a synthesized pixel. The method includes: reading an output of the photosensitive pixel array, extracting pixel values of photosensitive pixels within different synthesized pixels from a read-out single-frame high-resolution image, and combining the pixel values so as to obtain a number of multi-frame low-resolution images; synthesizing the number of multi-frame low-resolution images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Guangdong Oppo Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui Lei
  • Patent number: 9942500
    Abstract: An image sensor comprising a plurality of imaging pixels, a plurality of focus detecting pixels in which opening positions of light receiving sections are shifted from those of the imaging pixels, and a plurality of color filters arranged corresponding to the imaging pixels and the focus detecting pixels, wherein first focus detecting pixels in which opening positions are shifted in a first direction are arranged at positions corresponding to first color filters of the imaging pixels, and second focus detecting pixels in which opening positions are shifted in the first direction and which have opening ratios different from those of the first focus detecting pixels are arranged at positions corresponding to the first color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kikuchi, Atsuro Okazawa
  • Patent number: 9923005
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including an imaging area where a plurality of unit pixels are disposed to capture a color image, wherein each of the unit pixels includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; a plurality of transfer gates, each of which is disposed in each of the photoelectric conversion portions to transfer signal charges from the photoelectric conversion portion; and a floating diffusion to which the signal charges are transferred from the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions by the plurality of the transfer gates, wherein the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions receive light of the same color to generate the signal charges, and wherein the signal charges transferred from the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions to the floating diffusion are added to be output as an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Ishiwata
  • Patent number: 9883116
    Abstract: A video recording device is described having an orientation sensor. The recording device rotates video data received from an image sensor according to signals received from the orientation sensor. The rotation occurs before the video data is compressed according to a video codec and stored on a tangible storage device. By rotating the video data before compression, the need for intensive, post-capture video rotation on the compressed video file is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad Nourbakhsh, Steven Brown
  • Patent number: 9793313
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the pixel unit includes first pixel groups having two or more pixels and second pixel groups being different from the first pixel groups, wherein a portion of the pixels in the first pixel groups and a portion of the pixels in the second pixel groups share a floating diffusion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ishiwata, Sanghoon Ha
  • Patent number: 9741761
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 9728565
    Abstract: Image sensor pixels having low full-well capacity and high sensitivity for applications such as DIS, qDIS, single/multi bit QIS. Some embodiments provide an image sensor pixel architecture, comprises a transfer gate, a floating diffusion region both formed on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate and a buried-well vertically pinned photodiode having a charge accumulation/storage region disposed substantially or entirely beneath the transfer gate. Image sensor may also comprise an array of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises: a vertical bipolar structure including an emitter, base, collector configured for storing photocarriers in the base; and a reset transistor coupled to the base, configured to be completely reset of all free carriers using the reset transistor. The emitter may be configured as a pinning layer to facilitate full depletion of the base. Such image sensor pixels may have a full well capacity less than that giving good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Jiaju Ma, Donald Hondongwa
  • Patent number: 9681079
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a timing signal generation unit, a plurality of sensor units arranged in a matrix pattern and configured to perform photoelectric conversion of light received on an image pickup surface to accumulate signal charges, a vertical transfer unit provided for each vertical column of the sensor units and configured to transfer the signal charges in a plurality of divided fields in a vertical direction in an image pickup area in a plurality of horizontal blanking periods, a horizontal transfer unit configured to perform a horizontal transfer of the signal charges to the vertical transfer unit along with the horizontal blanking period, and a vertical and horizontal shift control unit configured to control a timing at which the vertical transfer unit transfers the signal charges to the horizontal transfer unit for each vertical column of the sensor units on the basis of the timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Yoshimura, Hiroaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9578264
    Abstract: An image processing device includes an image acquisition section that acquires a plurality of images captured while sequentially shifting the relative positions of a light-receiving plane of an image sensor and an image formed in the light-receiving plane, and an estimation calculation section that estimates a high-resolution image based on the plurality of images, the high-resolution image having a number of pixels larger than that of each of the plurality of images. The estimation calculation section estimates the pixel values of the high-resolution image corresponding to a first color based on the pixel values of the plurality of images corresponding to a second color when the estimation calculation section has determined that the pixel values of the plurality of images corresponding to the first color and the pixel values of the plurality of images corresponding to the second color have a high correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takanori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9565361
    Abstract: An image capturing device and a hybrid image processing method thereof are provided. The method is adapted to an image capturing device having a first lens and a second lens and includes the following steps. First, a scene is captured by the first lens and the second lens to respectively generate a mono image and a color image of the scene. Next, one of a mono image-based mode, a color image-based mode, and a color image-only mode is dynamically selected, and an output image is generated accordingly, wherein the mono image-based mode is to produce the output image by adding color image data onto the mono image, the color image-based mode is to produce the output image by adding mono image data onto the color image, and the color image-only mode is to produce the output image by only using the color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Yi-Hong Tseng, Huei-Shan Lin
  • Patent number: 9516247
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a unit pixel including one or more first sub-pixels of a white color and a plurality of second sub-pixels of a color other than the white color in a matrix, a row control block suitable for controlling the first and second sub-pixels to output sequentially first and second pixel signals during one row unit time, and an image process block suitable for processing the first and second pixel signal's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Seok Shin, Young-Chul Sohn
  • Patent number: 9456146
    Abstract: It includes a face detection unit that acquires an image from a camera and detects a person's face from the image, a region division unit that acquires an image from the camera and divides an imaging region of the image, a luminance calculation unit that calculates luminance of the person's face detected by the face detection unit and luminance of each divided region obtained by dividing by the region division unit, and a diaphragm adjustment information calculation unit that obtains the divided region having a difference between the luminance of the person's face and the luminance of the divided region which is larger than a predetermined value, calculates a region excluding the obtained divided region as a diaphragm adjustment region of an imaging unit, and outputs the obtained diaphragm adjustment region as diaphragm adjustment information to a diaphragm adjustment unit of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shin Yamada
  • Patent number: 9167180
    Abstract: The accumulation of registered sub-frame residuals in an address-mapped repartitioned digital pixel matches the intensity resolution (dynamic range) to the spatial resolution of the image. The digital accumulation of pixel quantization events (QEs) is extended to include sub-frame residuals. After all QEs are digitally accumulated, then removed from the analog accumulator, an analog residual value remains. Residual capture logic is configured to trigger residual digitization logic at least twice per frame interval for selected pixels to capture, digitize and then clear the residual value on the storage device. Memory update logic is configured to accumulate the quantization event digital values and residual digital values into existing digital values at the address-mapped memory locations in digital memory. Resolution enhancement is enabled by an address mapping that maps a one-pixel spacing on the detector to two or more pixel spacing in the digital memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Darin S. Williams, Martin S. Denham
  • Patent number: 9094628
    Abstract: By adding stabilization and super-sampling to a digital pixel readout integrated circuit (ROIC), line of sight motion, that is usually costly and difficult to control, instead becomes an ally, doubling the effective FPA resolution in some systems. The base repartitioned digital pixel architecture supplements analog signal accumulation with off-pixel digital accumulation, greatly increasing dynamic range. Adding address mapping and increasing the ratio of memory locations to pixels, enables stabilization and resolution enhancement. Additional stabilization at sub-frame intervals limits the effect of latency and simplifies complex address mapping. Pixels gains are compensated in-ROIC, without requiring multipliers. A unique partitioning of functions between the ROIC and subsequent logic allows pixel biases and non-isomorphic sampling effects to be compensated off-ROIC, reducing overall system complexity and power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Darin S. Williams