Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for improving a dynamic range of an image. The method of improving a dynamic range of an image, which is obtained by a sensor unit of an image capture device, includes: creating an input image by using the sensor unit which has a plurality of lines and has different integration times for the individual lines; and creating an interpolated image by performing interpolation filtering on the input image by using neighboring lines of a current line which have different integration times.

Abstract: A high dynamic range CMOS image sensor is disclosed. The pixels of the image sensor incorporate in-pixel memory. Further, the pixels may have varying integration periods. The integration periods are determined, in part, by the signal stored in the in-pixel memory from previous integration periods.

Abstract: An imaging system may include: at least one photon sensing pixel; at least one digital counting circuit; and at least one processing core programmed to apply at least one image processing algorithm to at least one pixel sample of the at least one digital counting circuit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a pixel array unit, pixels that accumulate photoelectrically converted charges are arranged in a matrix shape. A vertical signal line transmits a signal read out from the pixels in the vertical direction. An acceleration circuit shifts the potential of the vertical signal line in advance before a signal is read out from the pixels. The acceleration control circuit controls timing for shifting the potential of the vertical signal line in advance. The timing control circuit generates a control signal for controlling the acceleration control circuit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to radiation or light that is emitted. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an accumulation operation in the second image capturing operation in a time determined so that an image artifact caused by the scanning area is lower than a predetermined allowable value on the basis of information about the amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation.

Abstract: A CMOS sensor has unit pixels each structured by a light receiving element and three transistors, to prevent against the phenomenon of saturation shading and the reduction of dynamic range. The transition time (fall time), in switching off the voltage on a drain line shared in all pixels, is given longer than the transition time in turning of any of the reset line and the transfer line. For this reason, the transistor constituting a DRN drive buffer is made proper in its W/L ratio. Meanwhile, a control resistance or current source is inserted on a line to the GND, to make proper the operation current during driving. This reduces saturation shading amount. By making a reset transistor in a depression type, the leak current to a floating diffusion is suppressed to broaden the dynamic range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device, including a pixel, the pixel including: a light receiving section; a charge transfer path; a transfer electrode; a readout gate section; and a readout electrode.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a light receiving section having a plurality of threshold voltage modulation pixel circuits each configured including a MOS transistor having a gate electrode connected to a supply terminal of a gate voltage of a vertical scanning circuit, and a source electrode connected to one end of each capacitor of a line memory group via a switching element, and a photodiode having an anode connected to a back-gate electrode of the MOS transistor and a cathode connected to a drain electrode thereof, and a buffer circuit having an input terminal connected to a supply line of a control voltage of the control voltage supply means adapted to supply the vertical scanning circuit with the control voltage, and an output terminal connected to the other end of each capacitor, and having a signal transfer characteristic the same as that of the pixel circuit.

Abstract: An automatic exposure (AE) controlling device and method are provided. According to the method, an electric shutter (ES) value and an analog gain control (AGC) value can be calculated through a proportional integral control method according to a brightness value of an inputted image frame. Then, AE compensation on a present image frame can be performed using the calculated ES value and AGC value.

Abstract: A photosensor chip, such as used in a hard-copy scanner, reads out image data in repeated cycles. With each cycle an on-board counter counts to a predetermined number and resets to zero. When the clock count reaches certain numbers, integration events are initiated with regard to different subsets of photosensors on the chip. The start and stop times of the integrations within each cycle can thus be adjusted via software instructions.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing an optical input having a wide dynamic range includes providing a semiconductor material extending along a reference axis away from an optical input surface and having more than one substantially planar photodetecting regions disposed therein at different respective depths. The substantially planar photodetecting regions are configured to be overlapping and at least partially transverse to the reference axis, such that more than one of the regions absorb the optical input received through the optical input surface. Each of the photodetecting regions has an associated responsivity representative of the absorption of the incident optical signal. Preferably, the responsivity of each of the photodetecting regions is different for each of the photodetecting regions. A wide dynamic range sensor signal is produced by combining electrical output signals obtained from each of the more than one photodetecting regions.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises an image sensor, an acquisition unit which acquires information concerning distances to objects in a plurality of areas in an image capturing area, and a control unit which controls a charge accumulation period for each of a plurality of segmented areas of the image sensor, wherein the plurality of areas for which information concerning distances to the objects are acquired by the acquisition unit respectively correspond to the plurality of segmented areas, and the control unit controls the charge accumulation periods for the respective segmented areas at the time of light emission by a light-emitting device based on the information concerning the distances to the objects in the corresponding areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit in which unit pixels are two-dimensionally disposed; a vertical scanning unit selecting the unit pixels, which read out the signal electric charges, for each line; signal processing units separately disposed for each column of the pixel array unit and generate pixel signals corresponding to the signal electric charges; a horizontal scanning unit reading out the pixel signal by sequentially selecting the signal processing unit and outputting image signals in the unit of one line; and a scanning control unit performing operations of the vertical scanning unit and the horizontal scanning unit, wherein the scanning control unit selects a line having an exposure period different from that of a selected line between lines selected in the scanning order and sequentially outputs an image signal of an image having the different exposure period in the unit of one line from the horizontal scanning unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a light incident side; a circuit formation surface being opposite to the light incident side; and an inorganic photoelectric conversion unit having a pn junction and an organic photoelectric conversion unit including an organic photoelectric conversion layer, which are laminated in the same pixel in a depth direction from the light incident side and on which light is incident without passing through a color filter. Signals of the inorganic photoelectric conversion unit and the organic photoelectric conversion unit are read on the circuit formation surface.

Abstract: A CCD sensor has a shutter to prevent frame shift smear during transfer of an image from the image region to a store region. The CCD sensor has an extended dynamic range, because each integration is in two parts, the second part of which has a different sensitivity than the first part. In order to avoid an asymmetry in the uncovering and covering of the image region, a two-bladed shutter is used.

Abstract: An imaging device is disclosed. The device includes: a unit pixel that outputs an analog electric signal in accordance with a signal charge; a local voltage supply circuit that generates a local voltage different from an operation voltage; a reference signal generation section that generates a reference signal based on the local voltage provided by the local voltage supply circuit; and a processing section that converts, by referring to the reference signal generated by the reference signal generation section, the analog signal provided by the unit pixel into a digital signal. In the imaging device, the reference signal generation section keeps constant a load current of the local voltage supply circuit in an operating state.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a substrate; a substrate voltage supply applying a first potential to the substrate during a light receiving period including first and second exposure periods different from each other and applying a second potential to the substrate during a no-light receiving period; and a plurality of pixels each including: a light receiving portion formed on a front surface side of the substrate and generating a signal charge in accordance with received light; a storage capacitor formed adjacent to the light receiving portion so that the signal charge generated in the light receiving portion is transmitted thereto and is stored and held therein when the first potential is applied to the substrate; dark current suppressing portions; an electronic shutter adjusting layer; a reading gate portion; and a vertical transmission register transmitting the signal charge read by the reading gate portion in the vertical direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes, a pixel section, a read pulse amplitude control unit which controls exposure time for which a photo diode carries out the photoelectric conversion and dividing the signal charge accumulated in the photo diode into fractions so that the fractions are read from the photo diode, a plurality of line memories to which the plurality of read signals are saved. And the device further includes an addition unit which synthesizes the plurality of read signals into one signal, the addition unit includes first determination unit which reads the signal saved to the predetermined line memory and comparing a signal level of the read signal with a predetermined level to determine whether or not to add a signal read from a different line memory to the compared signal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes first-group pixels 41, second-group pixels 42 skipped during thinning drive, and a scanning section 13. The scanning section 13 drives each of the first-group pixels 41 to perform read operation of outputting the output signal and initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a first level, and also drives each of the second-group pixels 42 to perform discharge operation of initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a second level that is higher than the first level and lower than a saturation signal level of the photoelectric conversion element 12.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus including an image capturing unit configured to capture an image, and a generation unit configured to generate an exposure period map by assigning, to each of the plurality of image sensor pixels, exposure control information to control a charge accumulation time, based on preliminary captured image data obtained by preliminary image capturing using the image capturing unit. The exposure control information includes first exposure control information corresponding to a first accumulation time and second exposure control information corresponding to an accumulation time longer than the first exposure control information A correction unit expands a first region having the first exposure control information on the exposure period map, and a control unit controls the accumulation time for each of the plurality of image sensor pixels in accordance with the exposure period map corrected by the correction unit.

Abstract: A row scanner selects an arbitrary row in an pixel array unit. Per-column AD converters separately convert voltage signals respectively outputted from a column of a plurality of unit pixels in the selected arbitrary row into digital signals. A column scanner sequentially outputs the digital signals by a column-scanning operation thereof. An AD conversion result adjuster judges whether or not the digital signals reach a predetermined judgment value or the status equivalent to the digital signals reaching the predetermined judgment value is generated, and fixes the digital signals to digital pixel values set in accordance with the predetermined judgment value when a result of the judgment is positive.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, compensating for misalignment comprises receiving, at a detector array, electromagnetic (E-M) radiation from a target object. The detector array comprises time delay and integration (TDI) detectors organized into segments. Each segment comprises one or more rows of detectors perpendicular to a designed scan axis, and comprises columns of detectors parallel to the designed scan axis. The detector array moves in a relative scan direction relative to the target object. The following is performed for each segment and for each column of each segment. If there is misalignment at a segment, a signal is passed to a correcting next column of a next segment in the direction of the misalignment, where the signal accumulates scan data of a portion of the target object. Otherwise, the signal is passed to a designed next column of the next segment in the direction of the designed scan axis.

Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of setting, when a digital zoom operation mode for enlarging an image imaged by a imaging part of an X-Y address type is selected, a zoom magnification and enlarging the image at the zoom magnification set. The imaging method includes the steps of: setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step and driving the imaging part; and discarding, when the zoom magnification is changed in the digital zoom step, images imaged by the imaging part before and after the change of the zoom magnification to prevent the images from being used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices.

Abstract: A digital image photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the digital image photographing apparatus, the method involving dividing an imaging surface of an imaging device into a plurality of areas, and applying a first skip mode to an area that is expected to include a target object and applying a different second skip mode to an area that is not expected to include the target object, so that images having different resolutions may be obtained from the plurality of areas.

Abstract: A method of reading electrical charges produced by a photo-detector of a photo-detector matrix includes collecting and storing electrical charges produced by the photo-detector in a first capacitive element, transferring the charges stored in the first capacitive element to a second capacitive element, and reading the voltage at the terminals of the second capacitive element. The transfer followed by the reading is carried out in at least two phases: at least one first phase taking place during the collection and storage of the charges in the first capacitive element, and a second phase taking place at the end of the collection and storage of the electrical charges in the first capacitive element.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a plurality of pixels. A pixel readout circuit produces a plurality of first image frames from those pixels. An image output circuit produces a plurality of second image frames and operates to produce a second image frame from more than one of the first image frames. The pixel readout circuit is enabled to produce the first images frames at a rate faster than the image output circuit produces the second image frames. Through combining first image frames, by averaging or other statistical combinations, the photon shot noise of second image frames is reduced. Photon shot noise affects images with high light levels more than those with low light levels and, as such, the system processing alters the rate of first image frames dependent on the current light levels.

Abstract: In a CMOS image sensor (10) including a pixel array unit (12) having pixels separately arranged in even-numbered pixel rows and odd-numbered pixel rows, a reading operation performed on odd pixels having a short accumulation time is performed in an exposure start portion of even pixels having a long accumulation time. By this, even when the even pixels are saturated and signal charges overflow from the even pixels, and therefore, part of the signal charges intrude into the odd pixels adjacent to the even pixels, an adverse effect of blooming due to the saturation of the even pixels to signals of the odd pixels is eliminated since the reading operation performed on the odd pixels has already been completed. The adverse effect due to the blooming to the low-sensitive signals is eliminated when a method for attaining a dynamic range by differentiating accumulation times between adjacent pixels is employed.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, a function whose value increases in time is used as a threshold electric-signal level, and an electric-signal level of a photoreceptor element is compared with the threshold electric-signal level. Even if a light received by the photoreceptor element has a low luminance, the electric-signal level of the photoreceptor element crosses the threshold electric-signal level in a short time, allowing calculation of the amount of optical energy received by the photoreceptor element. Furthermore, when an object having a region where brightness changes in time and also having a region with a low luminance is imaged, imaging interval is changed in accordance with luminance. Accordingly, information regarding how the brightness of the object is rapidly changing in time can be obtained more precisely, and an image can be output without making a projection image of the dark region completely black.

Abstract: The invention relates to the devices for contactlessly measuring surface profiles and can be used for person identification in security systems. The inventive device for contactlessly controlling surface profile comprises a pulse illumination unit which is provided with a transparency and forms a transparency image on an object surface, and image recording unit and a computer. Said device also comprises a control unit which is connected to the image recording unit in the form of a TV camera with field interlacing, the pulse illumination unit and to the computer for synchronizing the illumination of the object surface by said pulse illumination unit with the TV camera field and for synchronizing the image processing by the computer with the TV interlacing.

Abstract: Imaging signal obtained through exposure for divided exposure times is A/D converted to digital imaging signal. Dark current component is subtracted from the digital imaging signal. The result of subtraction is accumulated and stored in a first memory. Next, exposure for divided exposure times is performed with the imaging device shielded from light. The obtained imaging signal is A/D converted to digital imaging signal. Dark current component is subtracted from the digital imaging signal. The result of subtraction is accumulated and stored sequentially in a second memory. The digital imaging signal stored in the second memory is subtracted from the digital imaging signal stored in the first memory. Then the result of subtraction is output. The word length allocated to one pixel in the first and second memories is longer than the word length of one A/D converted pixel.

Abstract: A method performed by an electronic camera in flash mode is as follows. A scene ambient lighting indication is obtained. An integration time interval and a flash pulse-on time interval for taking a picture is then set. The set integration time interval is shorter when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark; and the set flash pulse-on time interval is longer when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark. An image is captured using the set integration time interval and the set flash pulse-on time interval in accordance with an electronic rolling shutter (ERS). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a solid state imaging element that includes a plurality of pixels; and a driving unit; wherein each pixel includes: a photoelectric converting element includes a pair of electrodes stacked above a semiconductor substrate and a photoelectric converting layer arranged between the electrodes; a connecting portion that is arranged in the semiconductor substrate; a potential barrier portion; a first charge accumulating portion; and a signal output circuit, and wherein the driving unit drives the solid state imaging element so that the connecting portion and the potential barrier portion are set to a same potential by injecting charges into the connecting portion.

Abstract: A method for acquiring images using at least one CMOS-type sensor with four transistors including an acquisition node and a read node, where the read node can receive a compression signal, including a step of reading a reference state of the sensor; a reset step; an integration step, during which the sensor is exposed and during part of which the compression signal is applied to the read node; and a step of reading the data acquired during the integration step; the read node being, during the integration step, isolated from the acquisition node, except immediately before the application of the compression signal, at which time the acquisition node is connected to the read node long enough to enable a transfer of the charges present at the acquisition node to the read node.

Abstract: A video traffic system comprises a dual-slope, high dynamic range CMOS camera. Shutter, gain, and pedestal control and set-points for the dual-slope integration knee threshold and trigger time are computed from an operational model of the camera response using an input from a wireless light sensor. Darker pixels can integrate over the full shutter period, but bright pixels that are integrating too quickly and will saturate are reset to an adjustable level around 78% of maximum. Such reset occurs at an adjustable time about 93% of the full shutter period. The bright pixels are released to integrate from that point until the shutter closes.

Abstract: A photosensitive apparatus including a plurality of photosensor chips and a first common line for applying a first external integration signal to each of the plurality of photosensor chips. Each photosensor chip includes a first set of photosensors having an edge pixel and an interior pixel and a control portion for accepting the first external integration signal, the first external integration signal causing an edge pixel integration signal and an interior pixel integration signal for the first set of photosensors. The control portion includes a first signal adjuster effectively altering the first external integration signal to cause the edge pixel integration signal and the interior pixel integration signal for the first set of photosensors.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: plural pixel blocks with a predetermined number of pixel circuits of respective plural blocks set as one unit, the plural blocks being obtained by dividing a pixel area formed by arraying plural pixel circuits, which convert incident light into charges according to photoelectric conversion, in a matrix shape; and a selection control unit that selects desired ones of the pixel blocks and collectively executes reset control for discharging charges accumulated by the respective pixel circuits in the selected pixel blocks, wherein the selection control unit changes timing for executing the reset control for each of the selected pixel blocks and allocates different charge accumulating times to the pixel circuits.

Abstract: A method of resetting a time-based CMOS image sensor may be provided, where the time-based CMOS image sensor may include a photodiode, a transfer transistor transferring photo-generated charges generated in the photodiode to a floating diffusion node and having a gate to which a ramp signal is input, and a reset transistor resetting the photodiode and the floating diffusion node. The method may include generating photo-generated charges at the photodiode, transferring the photo-generated charges to the floating diffusion node in response to a ramp signal; and resetting a reset electron potential of the photodiode to be higher than a reset electron potential of the floating diffusion node.

Abstract: An amplification-type solid-state image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, having a plurality of pixel sections each including a photoelectric conversion element for receiving light of a subject and performing a photoelectric conversion on the light of the subject and a transfer section capable of transferring signal charge from the photoelectric conversion element to a charge detection section, the plurality of pixel sections connected to each charge detection section, and the amplification-type solid-state image capturing apparatus amplifying and reading potential at the charge detection section as signal data for each of the pixel sections, includes: when one of the plurality of pixel sections which share the charge detection section performs an original shutter operation, a shutter control section for performing an additional shutter operation on the remaining pixel sections which share the charge detection section with the one pixel section and have not performed the original shutter

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting the backlight of a camera are disclosed. When the camera for photographing a moving image by a photographing device, such as a general-purpose CCD or a general-purpose CMOS, enters into a backlight shooting state for simultaneously photographing an object with a very high luminance level and an object with a very low luminance level, as the shutter speed of the photographing device is varied to a long shutter speed and a short shutter speed, an image shot with the long shutter speed and an image shot with the short shutter speed are synthesized and outputted, thereby enabling a proper luminance level object photographing operation for each of the objects. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently prevent the phenomenon that the object with the low luminance level looks dark due to the object with the high luminance level.

Abstract: A pedestal level compensation method includes calculating a dark level difference error depending on temperature, calculating a pedestal level offset depending on an analog gain, and compensating a pedestal level according to the dark level difference error and the pedestal level offset.

Abstract: A variable rate image sensor outputs pixel data at a variable rate using lookup tables to selectively read out particular rows at particular times. The readout rate is not constant, allowing for a smaller image buffer in the overall system.

Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of setting, when a digital zoom operation mode for enlarging an image imaged by a imaging part of an X-Y address type is selected, a zoom magnification and enlarging the image at the zoom magnification set. The imaging method includes the steps of: setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step and driving the imaging part; and discarding, when the zoom magnification is changed in the digital zoom step, images imaged by the imaging part before and after the change of the zoom magnification to prevent the images from being used.

Abstract: A system and method for improving image processing. In one aspect of the invention the method includes receiving data indicating an intensity of light incident on a first pixel of a pixel array and determining from the received data if the intensity of incident light on the first pixel satisfies a first condition. A processing operation is performed on data received from a second, third and fourth pixel of the pixel array but skipped on the data received from the first pixel if the first condition is satisfied. The first condition includes whether the first pixel is substantially saturated in response to an intensity of light incident on the first pixel.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reducing motion blur using CCD charge shifting. In one embodiment, photodiode wells are exposed for a set of successive exposures with each exposure duration being a fraction of a total exposure time. After each successive exposure, the photodiode wells integrate signal charges and shift them to corresponding storage lines. The shifted signal charges are then shifted along the storage lines for a specified number of storage units. At the same time, the CCD is moved in the direction of a leading edge of the CCD. The photodiode wells are then exposed for another exposure to produce another set of signal charges, which are shifted to the storage lines. Signal charges from the successive exposures are accumulated at the storage lines. After all successive exposures have been taken, the accumulated signal charges are shifted to a serial shift register and output to form an image.

Abstract: To provide a drive method for finding out an optimum storage period quickly. In the method for driving the MOS sensor having a plurality of pixels, after all the plurality of pixels are simultaneously reset, signals are then sequentially outputted from said plurality of pixels. The period from the reset time to the time just before said plurality of pixels output saturated signals is termed as the storage period.

Abstract: An imaging system utilizes an exposure control circuit to control the length of an exposure in full frame mode. The exposure control circuit receives as an input the antiblooming current from at least a representative sample of pixels and determines when to end an exposure based on the amount of current received.

Abstract: A method of increasing dynamic range of pixels in an imaging sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, two image captures are performed, one at a first short integration time and one at a second optimum integration time. An electrical value obtained from a pixel or group of pixels at the first short integration time is used to predict the second integration time using a comparison with a set of reference values. The reference values relate to a saturation electrical value for each pixel or group of pixels to predict the second integration time. The first short integration time is determined as a fractional multiple of the saturation electrical value. The second integration times are such that there is no saturation of the pixel or group of pixels. Adjustments can be made to the reference values to allow for offset immunity and variability in light levels during the second integration time.

Abstract: An imager and a method for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of light incident on imager pixels during their exposure to light. Real-time or present pixel signals, which are indicative of present illumination on the pixels, are compared to a reference signal during the exposure. Adjustments, if necessary, are made to programmable parameters such as gain and/or exposure time to automatically control the imager's exposure to the light. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, only a selected number of pixels are monitored for exposure control as opposed to monitoring the entire pixel array.