Image sensors with multiple integration/read cycles
First Claim
1. A method of operating a solid state image sensor having an image sensing array comprising a plurality of active pixels, the method comprising:
- resetting each said pixel;
after a first predetermined period of time reading a first output from each said pixel so as to obtain a first set of image data having a first dynamic range;
without resetting said pixels, after a second predetermined period of time reading a second output from each said pixel so as to obtain a second set of image data having a second dynamic range; and
combining said first and second sets of image data in order to obtain a resultant set of image data having a further dynamic range different from said first and second dynamic ranges.
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Abstract
A method of operating a solid state image sensor having an image sensing array that includes a plurality of active pixels comprises resetting each pixel, and after successive time periods reading outputs from each pixel to obtain multiple sets of image data having different dynamic ranges without resetting the pixels between the successive time periods. The sets of image data are combined to obtain a resultant set of image data having a further dynamic range different from the individual dynamic ranges of the multiple data sets. Images are obtained having low noise, a wide dynamic range, and are resistant to lighting-induced flicker.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of operating a solid state image sensor having an image sensing array comprising a plurality of active pixels, the method comprising:
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resetting each said pixel;
after a first predetermined period of time reading a first output from each said pixel so as to obtain a first set of image data having a first dynamic range;
without resetting said pixels, after a second predetermined period of time reading a second output from each said pixel so as to obtain a second set of image data having a second dynamic range; and
combining said first and second sets of image data in order to obtain a resultant set of image data having a further dynamic range different from said first and second dynamic ranges. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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3. A method of operating a solid state image sensor having an image sensing array comprising a plurality of active pixels, the method comprising:
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resetting and immediately reading a preliminary output from each said pixel;
after a first predetermined period of time, reading a first output from each said pixel. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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Specification