Imaging device with improved signal to noise performance
First Claim
1. An imaging device for generating an image based on variable pixel integration times, comprising:
- a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels senses light and generates an amount of charge proportionate to sensed light; and
means for comparing coupled to each pixel of the plurality of pixels, wherein the means for comparing compares the generated amount of charge, proportionate to the sensed light associated with each pixel, to a threshold charge level, and if the means for comparing determines that the generated amount of charge is equal to or greater than the threshold charge level, then the means for comparing generates a trigger indicating that the threshold charge level has been reached at the associated pixel.
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Abstract
A variable integration circuit processes an image based on variable pixel integration times. The variable integration circuit includes a threshold detect circuit that detects whether a threshold charge level has been reached at a pixel output. If the threshold charge has been reached at the pixel output, the threshold detect circuit generates a trigger indicating that the threshold charge has been reached. The trigger resets the pixel output. The variable integration circuit also includes a threshold detect time store circuit that receives the trigger and stores a time-to-threshold. The trigger resets the pixel output to an initial state.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An imaging device for generating an image based on variable pixel integration times, comprising:
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a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels senses light and generates an amount of charge proportionate to sensed light; and means for comparing coupled to each pixel of the plurality of pixels, wherein the means for comparing compares the generated amount of charge, proportionate to the sensed light associated with each pixel, to a threshold charge level, and if the means for comparing determines that the generated amount of charge is equal to or greater than the threshold charge level, then the means for comparing generates a trigger indicating that the threshold charge level has been reached at the associated pixel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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10. An imaging device comprising:
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a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels senses light and generates an amount of charge proportionate to sensed light; a threshold detect circuit, wherein the threshold detect circuit detects whether a threshold charge level has been reached at each pixel of the plurality of pixels, and if the threshold charge has been reached at the corresponding pixel being detected, the threshold detect circuit generates a trigger indicating that the threshold charge has been reached.
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15. A method or generating an image based on variable pixel integration times, the method comprising:
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determining whether a first charge generated by a pixel based on sensed light is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; if the first charge generated by the pixel is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, generating a first trigger; and calculating a first time for the generation of the first trigger. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. The method of 16, further comprising:
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determining whether a second charge generated by the pixel, after reset, based on sensed light is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold; if the second charge generated by the pixel is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, generating a second trigger; and calculating a second time for the generation of the second trigger. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A variable pixel integration circuit comprising:
a threshold detect circuit, wherein the threshold detect circuit detects whether a threshold charge level has been reached at a pixel output, and if the threshold charge has been reached at the pixel output, the threshold detect circuit generates a trigger indicating that the threshold charge has been reached and the trigger resets the pixel output. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A processor implemented method for generating an image, comprising:
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collecting time-to-threshold values associated with each pixel of a plurality of pixels in an array; processing the collected time-to-threshold values to generate pixel illumination levels associated with each pixel; generating an output image based on the generated pixel illumination levels associated with each pixel.
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28. A variable pixel integration circuit comprising:
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a threshold detect circuit; a trigger indicating that a threshold charge level at a pixel output has been reached, wherein the trigger resets the pixel output charge if the threshold charge level at the pixel output has been reached. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification