Accumulation Or Integration Time Responsive To Light Or Signal Intensity Patents (Class 348/297)
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Patent number: 8982261Abstract: An imaging system includes a sensor array of sensor elements to convert incident light to detections. Plural detection accumulators are provided to store detections. Switches alternatively route detections from a sensor element selectively to n?3 members of a set of said detection accumulators. An imaging process includes converting incident light to detections, and routing detections so as to partition them among n?3 accumulators.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Kurt Eugene Spears, Otto K Sievert
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Publication number: 20150070544Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Craig M. Smith, Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, Thomas Vogelsang, James E. Harris
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Patent number: 8976279Abstract: According to one embodiment, a light receiver includes a light reception module, a multi-exposure area selector, a multi-exposure controller, and a readout module. The light reception module includes N lines, each of the N lines having a plurality of light receiving elements. The multi-exposure area selector is configured to select one or a plurality of single-exposure lines and one or a plurality of multi-exposure lines. The multi-exposure controller is configured to, per the unit time, perform an exposure on the single-exposure lines one time for a first exposure time; and a first exposure and a second exposure on the multi-exposure lines. The readout module is configured to read exposure amounts of the lines line by line. The multi-exposure controller is configured to start the second exposure on the multi-exposure lines before reading of the exposure amounts of all the single-exposure lines is completed.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yukiyasu Tatsuzawa, Kazuhiro Hiwada, Tatsuji Ashitani, Jun Deguchi, Hideaki Majima, Motohiro Morisaki
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Patent number: 8970755Abstract: The present invention may suppress feedthrough components in video imaging. Namely, TFT driving waveforms are plurally overlapped, and an integration period of capacitors C of amplification circuits is set so as to encompass a generation period of a feedthrough component (OFF), a generation period of a feedthrough component (ON), and a period in which charges (a signal component) are read out from storage capacitors of pixels by ON states of the TFTs. A number of driving waveforms to be overlapped is determined in accordance with a frame rate, the integration period and a reset period, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Naoto Iwakiri, Kouichi Kitano, Yasunori Ohta, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
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Patent number: 8963067Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, wherein each of the pixels includes a storage unit configured to electrically connect with a floating diffusion region and store photocharges therein, and a selector configured to selectively connect and disconnect the storage unit to and from the floating diffusion region in accordance with selection signals. The storage unit includes a capacitive element electrically connected to the floating diffusion region. The selector includes a switching element for selecting the pixel for connection to the floating diffusion region. The switching element is operated by the selection signals to selectively drive the capacitive element.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hak Soo Oh
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Patent number: 8964087Abstract: A large difference in exposure timing is prevented from arising in cases in which plural pixels have a common amplifier, even when image data is read by thinning An imaging apparatus (10) includes: an image pickup device (14) including plural photoelectric conversion elements arrayed in first and second directions; an amplification means that treats (K×L) pixels as respective common pixels and amplifies an image capture signal for each of the common pixels; a color filter that is provided with a repeatedly disposed basic array pattern or first and second filters placed in a predetermined pattern of (N×M) pixels; and an image processing section (20) and a drive section (22) that perform charge sweeping by applying sequential shutter pulses to the image pickup device (14) in turn to each pixel, or to each scan line, or to each of plural pixels on a scan line, that read pixel signals of the plural pixels at a set cycle, that, from the read pixel signals, generate line image data of pixels that are arrayed runninType: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Hidekazu Kurahashi, Kenkichi Hayashi, Seiji Tanaka, Tomoyuki Kawai, Noriko Kawamura
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Patent number: 8963064Abstract: A photosensor array includes plural photosensor pixels. Each of the photosensor pixels includes a lower electrode, an amorphous silicon film, an n-type amorphous silicon film, and an upper electrode. The photosensor array includes plural scanning lines connected to the upper electrodes, plural read lines connected to the lower electrodes, a scanning circuit that is connected to the plural scanning lines, and sequentially supplies a selection scanning signal of a first voltage to the respective scanning lines, a first unit that inputs a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the plural read lines in a blanking period of one horizontal scanning period, and thereafter puts the plural read lines into the floating state, and a second unit that outputs a voltage change in each of the read lines within one horizontal scanning period as the sensor output voltage of the photosensor pixel.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignees: Japan Display Inc., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Yonekura, Toshio Miyazawa, Atsushi Hasegawa, Terunori Saitou, Kozo Yasuda
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Patent number: 8964077Abstract: A CMOS image sensor including a pixel array unit having pixels arranged in even-numbered pixel rows and odd-numbered pixel rows. A reading operation performed such that a first signal of a first pixel group is read in a first accumulation time, and a second signal of a second pixel group is read in a second accumulation time shorter than said first accumulation time.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Keiji Mabuchi
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Patent number: 8963063Abstract: A pixel array including circuitry for combining charges accumulated by individual pixels in the array enables addition and/or subtraction of individual pixel values, prior to their digitization, in the pixel array.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Robin M. A. Dawson, Steven Hoeschele, Juha-Pekka J. Laine, Benjamin F. Lane, Yaron Rachlin, Christopher C. Yu
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Patent number: 8957360Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion unit, a first holding unit configured to hold electric charge, a second holding unit configured to hold electric charge, a first transfer unit configured to connect the photoelectric conversion unit and the first holding unit, a second transfer unit configured to connect the first holding unit and the second holding unit, and a third transfer unit configured to connect the photoelectric conversion unit and a power supply, a first operation mode and a second operation mode are selectively executed.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Takeshi Kojima, Ginjiro Toyoguchi, Takeru Suzuki
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Publication number: 20150042857Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus is a photoelectric conversion apparatus formed in a semiconductor substrate, and includes: a first photoelectric conversion unit (31) formed as a first conductivity type; a second photoelectric conversion unit (32) formed as a second conductivity type at a position deeper, in a depth direction of the semiconductor substrate, rather than the first photoelectric conversion unit; and a monitor unit configured to monitor a signal of the second photoelectric conversion unit, during a charge accumulation period of the first photoelectric conversion unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Tomoki Kususaki, Yukihiro Kuroda, Hideo Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20150042856Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a pixel configured to generate a signal through photoelectric conversion; a comparator configured to compare a signal generated by the pixel with a first reference signal that changes with time; and a control unit configured to change a change rate of the first reference signal with respect to time according to a comparison result of the comparator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Kohichi Nakamura, Yasuji Ikeda
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Patent number: 8953073Abstract: An image sensor and an image sensing method are provided. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric converter comprising a bias unit, which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer, which selectively absorbs light and converts the light into electrons; a via contacting the second electrode to connect the photoelectric converter with the semiconductor substrate; a storage node configured to store electrons; a read-out unit to converts charge transferred from the storage node into an image signal; a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, each of which comprises an intermediate insulating layer; and an output circuit configured to read out the image signal from the pixel array. The quantity of light received by the organic photoelectric conversion layer is adjusted by a bias change of the bias unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Chul Sul, Hirosige Goto, Kyung Ho Lee
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Patent number: 8953072Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, a plurality of sense circuits, and a count circuit. Each sense circuit is configured to read out electrical signals from at least one pixel associated with the sense circuit in order to generate data representing whether or not photons have been received by the sense circuit. The count circuit is in communication with a sense circuit selected from the plurality of sense circuits. The count circuit is configured to provide integration results for the pixels associated with the sense circuits based on the data received from the sense circuits.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Toshiyuki Nishihara
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Patent number: 8932206Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus having an image pickup system operating as follows. Before picking up a still image in a body cavity that almost no light can reach, the system extinguishes LED and resets charges accumulated in respective pixels in a CMOS image sensor. In this reset state, the system illuminates LED and allows the CMOS image sensor to pick up a still image. While the charges are being read from the pixels, the system extinguishes LED and prevents further charges from being accumulated in the pixels from which the charges have not been read yet.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventor: Kyosuke Mizuno
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Patent number: 8928788Abstract: An imaging device with (1) a substrate; (2) a substrate voltage supply that applies a first potential to the substrate during a light receiving period and applies a second potential to the substrate during a no-light receiving period; and (3) a plurality of pixels each including (a) a light conversion portion, (b) a storage portion that stores signal charges g from the light conversion portion when the first potential is applied to the substrate, (c) a first layer that is in the substrate and set apart from the storage portion by a predetermined distance and adjusts potential distribution in the substrate so that the signal charges generated in the light receiving portion when the second potential is applied to the substrate are swept to a rear surface side of the substrate, and (d) a vertical transfer portion that transfers a signal based on the signal charges in a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Hideo Kanbe
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Publication number: 20140368702Abstract: Sum signals are generated in each region provided with a plurality of photoelectric converters. Furthermore, a second signal line is included to which signals based on the sum signals are output, in addition to a first signal line to which individual signals of a plurality of pixels are output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventor: Yukihiro Kuroda
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Publication number: 20140368704Abstract: An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels, each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Toshiyuki NISHIHARA
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Patent number: 8908072Abstract: An anti-eclipse circuit for an imaging sensor monitors the photo signal level output by a pixel to determine whether the photo signal corresponds to the pixel being operated at a saturated state. If so, there is a risk that the pixel may be susceptible to an eclipse distortion. When the pixel is detected as being operated in a saturated state, the anti-eclipse circuit pulls up the reset signal level previously stored in a sample and hold circuit to an appropriate voltage level in order to prevent an eclipse distortion from arising.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Rysinski, Sanjayan Vinayagamoorthy
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Patent number: 8890986Abstract: An imager includes an array of pixels arranged in rows and a control circuit for sequentially capturing first and second image frames from the array of pixels. The control circuit is configured to sequentially capture first and second pairs of adjacent rows of pixels during first and second exposure times, respectively, when capturing the first image frame. The control circuit is also configured to sequentially capture first and second pairs of adjacent rows of pixels during second and first exposure times, respectively, when capturing the second image frame. The first exposure times during the first and second frames are of similar duration; and the second exposure times during the first and second frames are of similar duration. The control circuit is configured to detect motion of an object upon combining the first and second image frames and, then, correct for the motion of the object.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Scott Smith, Dong Li, Peng Lin
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Publication number: 20140333805Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image sensor including a pixel array unit and a driving control unit. In the pixel array unit, pixels each including a charge accumulation unit accumulating a photocharge corresponding to an amount of received light, a signal conversion unit converting the photocharge into an electric signal, and a charge transfer unit performing, with a driving signal, switching between a conduction state and a non-conduction state, the charge transfer unit being disposed between the charge accumulation unit and the signal conversion unit are arranged. The driving control unit controls a state of the charge transfer unit with the driving signal and performs a first driving control in which the charge transfer unit is kept being in the conduction state from when the photocharge is transferred from the charge accumulation unit to the signal conversion unit until when a first signal corresponding to the transferred photocharge is read out.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Shunsuke Ishii
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Patent number: 8885093Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup unit configured to generate a long-exposure image signal and a short-exposure image signal from incident light and output the generated signals as image pickup signals, the long-exposure image signal being generated by exposure for a relatively long period and the short-exposure image signal being generated by exposure for a relatively short period; a signal processing unit configured to generate a combined image signal by combining the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal, the combined image signal having a dynamic range that is relatively wider than that of at least any one of the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal; a detection unit configured to obtain a luminance integrated value and a luminance histogram of the combined image signal; and a control unit configured to perform exposure correction control using the luminance integrated value and the luminance histogram.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Akira Asoma
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Publication number: 20140313381Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: an interest area setter configured to input a signal in order to set plurality of interest areas within an image pickup area of an image sensor; a readout area setter configured to set a readout area to read out an image signal from the image sensor so as to maintain shapes of the respective interest areas in an image formed by an image signal to be output; a sensor readout controller configured to control readout of a pixel signal of the readout area from the image sensor; and an output signal generator configured to generate the image signal to be output based on the pixel signal read out by the sensor readout controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shingo Isobe
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Patent number: 8860860Abstract: A photoelectric-conversion device that allows for both of widening the dynamic range and performing an operation to monitor the amount of received light is achieved. A sensor-cell unit that can operate in low-sensitivity mode and high-sensitivity mode, a transfer unit transferring a signal outputted from a unit pixel, and a monitoring unit monitoring a signal transmitted from the sensor-cell unit, the signal being output from the transfer unit, are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Daisuke Inoue, Tomohisa Kinugasa
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Patent number: 8860891Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the effective contrast ratio and brightness yields for digital light valve image projectors using a variable luminance control mechanism (VLCM), associated with the projector optics, for modifying the light output and provide a correction thereto; and an adaptive luminance control module (ALCM) for receiving signals from the video input board, the adaptive luminance control module producing a signal on a VLCM bus connecting the variable luminance control mechanism and the adaptive luminance control module, the signal causing the variable luminance control mechanism to change the luminance of the light output and provide a corrected video signal for the projector.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Inventors: Eddie E. Allen, Thomas D. Strade, Christopher Coley
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Patent number: 8854518Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion section, an impurity-diffusion region capable of temporarily accumulating or holding electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion section, and a reset transistor resetting the impurity-diffusion region by a voltage of a voltage-supply line, and having an impurity concentration such that at least the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region becomes a depletion state; and a drive circuit changing the voltage of the voltage-supply line from a first voltage lower than a depletion potential of the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region to a second voltage higher than the depletion potential while the reset transistor is on.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Yusuke Oike
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Patent number: 8854244Abstract: An imager may include analog-to-digital converter circuitry that converts an analog input voltage to a digital output value by generating a number of samples of the analog input voltage. The analog input voltage may be formed from the difference between a pixel signal and a reference signal received at first and second inputs of the analog-to-digital converter circuitry. Processing circuitry may control the number of samples generated from the analog input voltage based on a desired gain level. The analog-to-digital converter circuitry may include a counter that counts to a maximum value. Ramp generation circuitry may generate a ramp signal based on the counter value and apply the ramp signal to the pixel signal at the first input of the analog-to-digital converter circuitry. The total time for generating samples for each different desired gain level may be constant while generating the ramp signal with a slope having a constant magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Hong-Joo Park, Sanghoon Lim, Hee-Cheol Choi, Hai Yan
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Patent number: 8842206Abstract: An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels, each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Toshiyuki Nishihara
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Publication number: 20140267852Abstract: A focal plane staring sensor is provided that includes an M×N sensor, where M is a number of rows of sensor pixels in the sensor and N is a number of columns of sensor pixels in the sensor, where M and N are integers greater than one. A control circuit samples in each sensor pixel value for each sensor pixel of the M×N sensor at a plurality of different integration times corresponding to an amount of time that a photonic charge can be acquired in each sensor pixel of the M×N sensor, wherein the control circuit selects in each sensor pixel one sample from a set of samples to generate a scaled value to facilitate an equalization of a signal to noise ratio between the sensor pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventor: Nathan Bluzer
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Patent number: 8830398Abstract: It is determined whether or not an input image is an image converted from an image with a relatively low resolution based on one frame of an image. A resolution determination device includes: an edge strength calculator configured to obtain an edge strength of a pixel included in an input image based on luminance of the pixel and luminance of a pixel adjacent to the pixel, for each of a plurality of pixels included in the input image; and a resolution determiner configured to determine whether or not the input image is an image upconverted from an image with a predetermined resolution or less, based on distribution of the edge strengths.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Koichi Inoue, Shinichi Tomioka, Atsuhisa Kageyama
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Patent number: 8818183Abstract: A focus detection apparatus that performs a first determination for determining whether a signal level indicating an amount of the electric charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element has reached a lower threshold, and a second determination for determining whether the signal level has reached a higher second. During a time period from when it is determined that the signal level has reached the lower threshold to when it is determined that the signal level has reached the higher threshold, the second determination is performed at a shorter time interval if an elapsed time from when the accumulation of the electric charges is started to when it is determined that the signal level has reached the first threshold is shorter than a reference time, and at a longer time interval if the elapsed time is longer than the reference time.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuhiko Yamazaki, Hidetoshi Hayashi
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Patent number: 8803725Abstract: A single slope AD converter circuit includes a comparator that compares a ramp voltage varying with a predetermined slope as time elapses with an analog input voltage, a counter that counts a predetermined clock in parallel with the comparing process of the comparator, and a controller that outputs a clock count value corresponding to elapsed time when the ramp voltage is smaller than the analog input voltage, as an AD converted first digital value. The comparator compares the ramp voltage with a predetermined first reference voltage, the counter counts the clock in parallel with the comparing process, and the controller outputs the clock count value corresponding to the elapsed time as an AD converted second digital value.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Technology Academic Research CenterInventors: Yuji Osaki, Tetsuya Hirose
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Patent number: 8804018Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a storage, first and second common lines, a first block line that is disposed between the storage and the first common line and receives a signal from an odd-numbered column, a second block line that is disposed between the storage and the second common line and receives a signal from an even-numbered column, first switches for controlling connections between the storage and the first block line, second switches for controlling connections between the storage and the second block line, first control lines for the first switches, second control lines for the second switches, a first lead line for transmitting a signal from the first block line to the first common line, a second lead line for transmitting a signal from the second block line to the second common line, and a scanning unit for supplying pulses to the first and second control lines.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomoyuki Noda
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Publication number: 20140211052Abstract: Disclosed is a WDR pixel array having high sensitivity under the middle intensity of illumination and high intensity of illumination by using the 4T pixel structure representing high sensitivity under the low intensity of illumination. According to the embodiment, the overflow charges generated under the very high intensity of illumination are not discarded or partially stored, but read through the 3T pixel operation, so that the WDR pixel array having high sensitivity under the middle intensity of illumination and high intensity of illumination can be obtained based on the 4T pixel structure without additionally providing a transistor or a photodiode for the high intensity of illumination in the WDR pixel array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventor: Woon Il Choi
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Patent number: 8792034Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a photoelectric converter section formed on a first substrate to generate and accumulate signal charges corresponding to incident light, a charge accumulation capacitor section formed on the first substrate or a second substrate to temporarily hold the signal charges transferred from the photoelectric converter section, and a plurality of MOS transistors formed on the second substrate to transfer the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation capacitor section, connection electrodes formed on the first substrate, and connection electrodes formed on the second substrate and electrically connected to the connection electrodes formed on the first substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Takahashi
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Patent number: 8780240Abstract: A method for continuously generating a (grayscale) map of a scene in electronic form, characterized by high time resolution and minimal data volume, is presented. The method involves repeated measurement of the instantaneous exposure of the image elements in an image sensor, the start of every exposure measurement being determined autonomously and asynchronously by every image element independently, and hence the redundancy which is typical of synchronous image sensors in the image data to be transmitted being largely suppressed. The stimulation for the purpose of exposure measurement is provided by the autonomous detection of a relative light intensity change in the scene detail which the image element views, by the transient detector in the respective image element. To increase the signal-to-noise ratio and the dynamic range, the exposure measurement is preferably performed on the basis of time, that is to say the exposure of an image element is represented by the period between two asynchronous events.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbHInventors: Christoph Posch, Martin Litzenberger, Daniel Matolin, Rainer Wohlgenannt
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Patent number: 8780246Abstract: A method for correcting an image obtained by a matrix of photosensitive points finds particular utility when the matrix is subjected to an electromagnetic disturbance. The method of correction comprises a first step of row-by-row reading of the matrix. The signals read during a first reading of each row represent the charges accumulated subsequent to exposure of the matrix to luminous radiation and make it possible to form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. The signals read during a second reading represent the charges accumulated in the absence of exposure and form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. In a second step of the method, a signal corresponding substantially to the signal which would have been formed at the time of the first reading in the absence of exposure is determined. In a third step, the signal is subtracted column by column from the signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Trixell S.A.S.Inventors: Thibaut Wirth, Benoit Candiard, Jean-Michel Vignolle
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Patent number: 8773336Abstract: Illumination devices and related systems and methods are closed that can be used for LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) backlights, LED lamps, or other applications. The illumination devices can include a photo detector, such as a photodiode or an LED or other light detecting device, and one or more LEDs of different colors. A related method can be implemented using these illumination devices to maintain precise color produced by the blended emissions from such LEDs. One application for the illumination devices is backlighting for FSC (Field Sequential Color) LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays). FSC LCDs temporally mix the colors in an image by sequentially loading the red, green, and blue pixel data of an image in the panel and flashing the different colors of an RGB backlight. Precise and uniform color temperature across such a display can be advantageously maintained by continually monitoring ratios of photodiode currents induced by the different colored LEDs in each illumination device as each color is flashed.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Ketra, Inc.Inventor: David J. Knapp
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Patent number: 8773552Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pixel outputs a photoelectrically converted signal. A reference ramp generating circuit generates a first ramp wave and a second ramp wave having a step width smaller than that of the first ramp wave. A column ADC circuit performs switching between the first ramp wave and the second ramp wave on the basis of the signal level of the signal from the pixel, compares the ramp wave with the signal level, and detects a signal component of the pixel by CDS.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Yoshitaka Egawa
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Patent number: 8767080Abstract: A system, apparatus, or method is provided for imaging and for capturing visuals to provide image manipulation options for increasing resolution of subject images. A system, apparatus or method for increasing resolution of subject images using a camera to deliver unexposed photographic emulsion or a digital image and to generate images of greater resolution by modifying digital images or modifying digital and emulsion images.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Cedar Crest Partners Inc.Inventor: Craig Mowry
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Patent number: 8749686Abstract: In various embodiments, image sensors include photosensitive pixels, associated vertical CCDs, sense nodes each accepting charge from one or more of the vertical CCDs, and readout circuitry accepting signals from the sense nodes.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Edward T. Nelson
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Patent number: 8736750Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup unit configured to generate a long-exposure image signal and a short-exposure image signal from incident light and output the generated signals as image pickup signals, the long-exposure image signal being generated by exposure for a relatively long period and the short-exposure image signal being generated by exposure for a relatively short period; a signal processing unit configured to generate a combined image signal by combining the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal, the combined image signal having a dynamic range that is relatively wider than that of at least any one of the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal; a detection unit configured to obtain a luminance integrated value and a luminance histogram of the combined image signal; and a control unit configured to perform exposure correction control using the luminance integrated value and the luminance histogram.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Akira Asoma
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Publication number: 20140132807Abstract: An imaging device includes a readout unit which reads out an amount of charge accumulated in a floating diffusion that accumulates a charge transmitted from a light receiving unit that photoelectrically converts incident light as a signal level; a readout control unit which controls the readout unit to perform, a plurality of times, a readout operation to read out the amount of charge of a P-phase and a D-phase accumulated in the floating diffusion; and a calculation unit which is controlled by the readout control unit and obtains differences between the signal levels which are obtained using the readout operation that is performed a plurality of times.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Shuuji Sonoda
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Patent number: 8716648Abstract: According to one embodiment, a photon detection system determines the number of detected photons. The detection system includes an avalanche photodiode and a measuring unit. The measuring unit measures an avalanche signal induced by illumination before the avalanche current through the device has saturated.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Beata Ewa Kardynal, Zhiliang Yuan, Andrew James Shields
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Patent number: 8704928Abstract: Disclosed are a pixel, a pixel array, an image sensor including the pixel array and a method for operating the image sensor. The pixel includes a photo-electro conversion unit; a capacitor for storing charges converted by the photo-electro conversion unit; an output switching device for outputting an electric potential of the capacitor; and a removal unit for removing a part of the charges converted by the photo-electro conversion unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seung Hoon Sa, Woon Il Choi, Seong Hyung Park, Chun Hee Jeong, Dong Hyuk Park, Cheong Yong Park, Jung Chan Kyoung, Jung Wan Jeong, Dong Gyu Lee, Jong Min You, Hyun Jong Ji
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Publication number: 20140104469Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array and a row driver block. The pixel array includes a plurality of subpixel groups, each including a plurality of subpixels. Each of the plurality of subpixels is configured to generate a subpixel signal corresponding to photocharge accumulated in response to a photon. The row driver block is configured to generate a first control signal to control the subpixels included in each of the plurality of subpixel groups to accumulate the photocharge in parallel from a first time point to a second time point.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Tae Chan KIM, Min Ho KIM, Dong Ki MIN, Sang Chul SUL, Tae Seok OH, Kwang Hyun LEE, Tae Yon LEE, Jung Hoon JUNG, Young Gu JIN
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Patent number: 8692916Abstract: A device and method for continuous vertical clocking a charge-coupled device image sensor operating in a time delay and integration and binning mode of operation is disclosed. The method includes providing a charge-coupled device image sensor with a continuous charge transfer signal to a vertical charge-coupled device register for shifting charge continuously to more closely approximate the speed of movement of the target object of capture by the image sensor in order to eliminate artifacts in the TDI imaging direction. The control module of the CCD image sensor provides the continuous charge transfer signal to the vertical charge-coupled device register.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Teledyne Dalsa, Inc.Inventors: Leonid Lazovsky, Andrey Lomako, Brian Benwell
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Publication number: 20140092285Abstract: A solid-state imaging device and method of driving a pixel array section are described herein. By way of example, the solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section including a sharing pixel block, the sharing pixel block including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion region, and each of the plurality of pixels of the sharing pixel block sharing a floating diffusion region, and a driver section configured to drive the pixel array section such that electric charges accumulated in one or more but less than all of the photoelectric conversion regions of the sharing pixel block undergo pixel addition and are read out.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Yusuke Moriyama, Tomohiro Takahashi
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Patent number: 8687096Abstract: A piecewise linear processing device applies different amplification rates according to a general environment and a low luminance environment where much noise exists. The piecewise linear processing device includes a knee point storing unit configured to store a user's default setting value and low luminance setting value; a luminance detecting unit configured to detect a noisy environment to output a current luminance information signal and a maximum luminance information signal; an adaptive knee point supply unit configured to receive the default setting value, the low luminance setting value, the current luminance information signal, and the maximum luminance information signal to supply a adjusted adaptive knee point according to a degree of noise; and a piecewise linear processing unit configured to apply a section amplification rate to an input data on the basis of a region corresponding to the adaptive knee point.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLCInventor: Pyeong-Woo Lee
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Patent number: 8681260Abstract: An imaging system or camera having an array of elements switchable between two states for measuring of light received by the imaging system on a pixel by pixel basis to form two separate images simultaneously over a common integration time in which switching takes place faster than the integration time of the camera. Optical switching may be provided by a spatial light modulator along one of two paths each associated with a detector for one of the images, or each path being associated with one of two non-overlapping regions of the same detector, where each region provides one of the images. Electronic switching may be provided in which for each pixel a photodetector provide an electrical signal onto a switching element which switches the signal onto one of two sites for integrating the signal and providing a pixel value, where the two sites are each associated with a different one of the images.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Clear Align LLCInventor: Michael Garret Bush