Image sensor apparatus and method for obtaining multiple exposures with zero interframe time
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- circuitry for;
receiving an analog signal associated with an image of an image sensor;
generating a first amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a first gain, wherein the first gain is applied to analog pixel values;
transmitting the first amplified analog signal to a first analog-to-digital converter circuit;
converting the first amplified analog signal to a first digital signal utilizing the first analog-to-digital converter circuit;
generating a second amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a second gain, wherein the second gain is applied to the analog pixel values;
transmitting the second amplified analog signal to a second analog-to-digital converter circuit;
converting the second amplified analog signal to a second digital signal utilizing the second analog-to-digital converter circuit;
generating a third amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a third gain, wherein the third gain is applied to the analog pixel values;
transmitting the third amplified analog signal to a third analog-to-digital converter circuit;
converting the third amplified analog signal to a third digital signal utilizing the third analog-to-digital converter circuit; and
causing the first digital signal, the second digital signal, and the third digital signal to be combined to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.
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Abstract
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for obtaining multiple exposures with zero interframe time. In use, an analog signal associated with an image associated with an image of an image sensor is received. Amplified analog signals associated with the image are generated by amplifying the analog signal utilizing gains. The amplified analog signals are transmitted to analog-to-digital converter circuits. The amplified analog signals are converted to digital signals utilizing the analog-to-digital converter circuits. The digital signals are combined to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.
254 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
circuitry for; receiving an analog signal associated with an image of an image sensor; generating a first amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a first gain, wherein the first gain is applied to analog pixel values; transmitting the first amplified analog signal to a first analog-to-digital converter circuit; converting the first amplified analog signal to a first digital signal utilizing the first analog-to-digital converter circuit; generating a second amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a second gain, wherein the second gain is applied to the analog pixel values; transmitting the second amplified analog signal to a second analog-to-digital converter circuit; converting the second amplified analog signal to a second digital signal utilizing the second analog-to-digital converter circuit; generating a third amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a third gain, wherein the third gain is applied to the analog pixel values; transmitting the third amplified analog signal to a third analog-to-digital converter circuit; converting the third amplified analog signal to a third digital signal utilizing the third analog-to-digital converter circuit; and causing the first digital signal, the second digital signal, and the third digital signal to be combined to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that when executed by a processor instruct the processor to:
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receive an analog signal associated with an image of an image sensor; generate a first amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a first gain, wherein the first gain is applied to analog pixel values; transmit the first amplified analog signal to a first analog-to-digital converter circuit; convert the first amplified analog signal to a first digital signal utilizing the first analog-to-digital converter circuit; generate a second amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a second gain, wherein the second gain is applied to the analog pixel values; transmit the second amplified analog signal to a second analog-to-digital converter circuit; convert the second amplified analog signal to a second digital signal utilizing the second analog-to-digital converter circuit; generate a third amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a third gain, wherein the third gain is applied to the analog pixel values; transmit the third amplified analog signal to a third analog-to-digital converter circuit; convert the third amplified analog signal to a third digital signal utilizing the third analog-to-digital converter circuit; and cause the first digital signal, the second digital signal, and the third digital signal to be combined to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.
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20. A method, comprising:
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receiving, using a processor, an analog signal associated with an image of an image sensor; generating, using the processor, a first amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a first gain, wherein the first gain is applied to analog pixel values; transmitting, using the processor, the first amplified analog signal to a first analog-to-digital converter circuit; converting, using the processor, the first amplified analog signal to a first digital signal utilizing the first analog-to-digital converter circuit; generating, using the processor, a second amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a second gain, wherein the second gain is applied to the analog pixel values; transmitting, using the processor, the second amplified analog signal to a second analog-to-digital converter circuit; converting, using the processor, the second amplified analog signal to a second digital signal utilizing the second analog-to-digital converter circuit; generating, using the processor, a third amplified analog signal associated with the image by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a third gain, wherein the third gain is applied to the analog pixel values; transmitting, using the processor, the third amplified analog signal to a third analog-to-digital converter circuit; converting, using the processor, the third amplified analog signal to a third digital signal utilizing the third analog-to-digital converter circuit; and causing, using the processor, the first digital signal, the second digital signal, and the third digital signal to be combined to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.
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Specification