For Variable Integration Time (epo) Patents (Class 348/E3.019)
  • Patent number: 11885646
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a detector system having a photodetector and an amplifier to amplify the photodetector signal. A discriminator generates an active output signal when the output from the amplifier is greater than a threshold. An injection circuit is coupled to the input of the amplifier. The injection circuit is configured to selectively inject a test pulse that mimics a pulse from the photodetector for verifying operation of the detector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Myers, Shunming Sun, Adam Lee
  • Patent number: 11888015
    Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray sensor having an active detector region including detector diodes on its surface. The X-ray sensor further includes a junction termination surrounding the surface region including the detector diodes. The junction termination includes a guard arranged closest to the end of the surface region, a field stop outside the guard and at least two field limiting rings, FLRs arranged between the guard and the field stop. A first FLR is arranged at a distance ?1 from the guard selected from the interval [4 ?m; 12 ?m], a second FLR is arranged at a distance ?2 from the first FLR selected from the interval [6.5 ?m; 14 ?m], and wherein the distance ?2 is larger than the distance ?1. The proposed technology also provides a method for constructing such an X-ray sensor and an X-ray imaging system including an X-ray detector system that includes such X-ray sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Prismatic Sensors AB
    Inventors: Mietek Bakowski Holtryd, Mats Danielsson, Cheng Xu
  • Patent number: 11843006
    Abstract: Provided are an image sensor with one or more image receivers for image switching, and an imaging system and method therefor. The image sensor includes an image sensor array to generate first image data for a first image; a receiver to receive, into the image sensor, second image data for a second image; an image selection circuit coupled to the image sensor array and the receiver to receive the first image data and the second image data and select one of the first image data and the second image data according to one or more image selection criteria and at least one of the first image data and the second image data; and a transmitter coupled to the image selection circuit to transmit the selected one of the first image data and the second image data from the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cista System Corp.
    Inventors: Zhaojian Li, Jiangtao Pang
  • Patent number: 11836588
    Abstract: An image generating device includes a support unit configured to support an object, an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the object disposed on the support unit with light, a light receiving unit configured to receive light returning from the object disposed on the support unit, and a control unit configured to generate a light irradiation signal for controlling the irradiation unit and a light-receiving region driving signal for controlling the light receiving unit, wherein the irradiation unit includes a first irradiation unit for irradiating a first region of the object with light and a second irradiation unit for irradiating a second region of the object with light, the light receiving unit includes a first light-receiving region and a second light-receiving region, the first light-receiving region and the second light-receiving region each include a plurality of pixels and are disposed at different positions on the light receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: XPERIX INC.
    Inventors: Su Yoel Park, Byung Dai Hyun, Byoung Joon Jang, Jae Eun Jo, Bo Gun Park, Sang Won Lee
  • Patent number: 11764249
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an image sensor pixel comprising a junction field effect transistor (JFET) and a floating diffusion configured to act as the gate of the JFET. An image sensor may comprise a plurality of pixels, at least one pixel comprising floating diffusion region formed in a semiconductor substrate, a transfer gate configured to selectively cause transfer of photocharge stored in the pixel to the floating diffusion, and a JFET having (i) a source and a drain coupled by a channel region, and (ii) a gate comprising the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Jiaju Ma, Leo Anzagira, Eric R. Fossum
  • Patent number: 11689827
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel circuit, a readout circuit, and a row driver. The pixel circuit is configured to output a pixel signal in response to a selection signal. The readout circuit is configured to output a digital signal corresponding to the pixel signal, generate a gain control signal based on a first pixel signal received from the pixel circuit, provide the gain control signal to the pixel circuit, receive a second pixel signal output by the pixel circuit using the gain control signal, and output a digital signal corresponding to the second pixel signal. The row driver is configured to provide the selection signal to the pixel circuit while maintaining the selection signal at a first level while the readout circuit provides the gain control signal to the pixel circuit and the pixel circuit outputs the second pixel signal to the readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Yong Jung, Min Woong Seo
  • Patent number: 11662541
    Abstract: This disclosure describes optoelectronic modules with locking assemblies and methods for manufacturing the same. The locking assemblies, in some instances, can improve mounting steps during manufacturing and can increase the useful lifetime of the optoelectronic modules into which they are incorporated. The locking assemblies can include overmold protrusions, and optical element housing protrusions, as well as locking edges incorporated into overmold housing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: AMS Sensors Singapore PTE. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bojan Tesanovic, Mario Cesana, Camilla Camarri, Hartmut Rudmann
  • Patent number: 11567318
    Abstract: An eye monitoring system is included in a headset of a virtual reality system or of an augmented reality system. The eye monitoring system determines distances between the eye monitoring system and portions of a user's eye enclosed by the headset. The eye monitoring system projects a temporally periodic pattern of light onto the user's eye via a sensor. The eye monitoring system determines a distance between the eye monitoring system and locations of the user's eye based on a phase shift of the periodic pattern of light captured by each pixel of the sensor. From the determined distances, the eye monitoring system determines features of the user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 11523081
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixel cells, each of the pixel cells including a light receiving element, a floating diffusion, a first source follower circuit, and a second source follower circuit. The plurality of pixel cells are connected to an output signal line. The light receiving element photoelectrically converts incident light, and stores a signal charge. The floating diffusion converts the signal charge read out of the light receiving element into a signal voltage. The first source follower circuit is connected to the floating diffusion, and outputs an output voltage corresponding to the signal voltage. The second source follower circuit is connected in series with the first source follower circuit, and outputs a pixel signal corresponding to the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisayuki Taruki
  • Patent number: 11496702
    Abstract: An imaging device including a photoelectric converter that converts incident light into an electric charge; a transfer transistor; a first node coupled to the photoelectric converter via the transfer transistor; a first signal detection transistor having a gate coupled to the first node; a second signal detection transistor having a gate coupled to the photoelectric converter; a signal line coupled to one of a source and a drain of the first signal detection transistor; a first transistor coupled to the first node; and a second transistor coupled to the photoelectric converter, wherein one of the source and the drain of the first signal detection transistor is coupled to the first transistor, one of a source and a drain of the second signal detection transistor is coupled to the second transistor, and no transistor is coupled between the photoelectric converter and the gate of the second signal detection transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Yamada, Yasuo Miyake, Masashi Murakami
  • Patent number: 11405568
    Abstract: A first and second pixel units that perform FD addition are provided. The first pixel unit includes: a first switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; and a reset transistor that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the first switch transistor and a power supply node. The second pixel unit includes: a second switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; a third switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to another source/drain electrode of the second switch transistor; and a capacitive element that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the third switch transistor and a reference potential node. The respective other source/drain electrodes of the first switch transistor and the second switch transistor are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11244976
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device is provided. The photoelectric conversion device comprises a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element, an output unit configured to output a signal for generating an image from each of the plurality of pixels, a detection unit configured to detect a maximum value and a minimum value of each of signals output from pixels included in a predetermined pixel group among the plurality of pixels; and a switching unit configured to allow the output unit or the detection unit to selectively process the signals output from the plurality of pixels. The detection unit and the switching unit are disposed for each of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Hirofumi Totsuka
  • Patent number: 9814376
    Abstract: A light source unit is provided with a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source that emit red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, as illumination light. A light source controller controls emission intensity and emission timing of the illumination light to make an emission period of the red light longer than an emission period of each of the green light and the blue light. An image sensor is capable of separately receiving the light of each color reflected from an object of interest irradiated with the illumination light and capable of separately changing a light-receiving period of the light of each color. An imaging controller makes the light-receiving period of at least the red light coincide with the emission period of the red light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Kubo
  • Patent number: 9462188
    Abstract: A method includes determining, at an image processor, a first time period associated with processing a first frame of an image captured via an image sensor. The method also includes extending a frame time for processing the first frame by a second time period. The second time period is based at least in part on an amount of permitted focus value contamination for processing the first frame, and the frame time includes the first time period and the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Leung Chun Chan, Ying Chen Lou
  • Patent number: 7535600
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a plurality of light receiving parts for generating electric charge by photoelectric conversion; a shift register for transferring the electric charge generated by the plurality of light receiving parts to the output-side end portion of the shift register; and an electric-charge discharge portion which is provided in a midway-portion of the shift register and includes an electric-charge discharge gate for controlling import of the electric charge from the shift register for discharging the electric charge of the shift register via the electric-charge discharge gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eng Meng Choon
  • Patent number: RE40628
    Abstract: Apparatus for reducing exposing time of an image processing system is disclosed herein. The image processing system including a shift register coupled to a photo-sensing means, the photo-sensing device is used to convert an optical image from a lens to a plurality groups of charge to form an electrical signal. The apparatus includes control device (counter) and a reset gate. The control device generates the first reset signal and the second reset signal depending on whether the image processing system is in a first resolution mode or a second resolution mode. A first number of cells of the photo-sensing device are exposed to the light of the optical image during the first resolution mode, and a second number of cells of the photo-sensing device being exposed to the optical image during the second resolution mode. The first number of cells is greater than the second number of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: Shih-Huang Chen, Shih-Zheng Kuo