Methods, systems and apparatuses using barrier self-calibration for high dynamic range imagers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating an imager, comprising:
- during a first operating mode;
accumulating charge with a photosensor of a pixel during a first integration period;
pulsing a transistor of the pixel with a first voltage which is lower than a turn on voltage of the transistor at the end of the first integration period, the transistor being electrically coupled to the photosensor;
continuing to accumulate charge with the photosensor during a second integration period which follows the pulsing; and
reading out accumulated charge in the photosensor after the second integration period; and
during a second operating mode;
filling the photosensor with charge;
pulsing the transistor with the first voltage to remove a portion of the charge and leaving residual charge in the photosensor; and
reading out the residual charge.
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Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatuses proving a high dynamic range imager. Multiple photosensor integration periods are used to capture pixel signal information. A transistor gate is used to remove electrons from the photosensor between the two successive integration periods providing a non-linear pixel response characteristic having a knee point. Each pixel is calibrated for the knee point which is used during adjustment of the pixel output signal. Each pixel may also be calibrated with an arbitrary signal response curve for multiple light intensities.
51 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of operating an imager, comprising:
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during a first operating mode; accumulating charge with a photosensor of a pixel during a first integration period; pulsing a transistor of the pixel with a first voltage which is lower than a turn on voltage of the transistor at the end of the first integration period, the transistor being electrically coupled to the photosensor; continuing to accumulate charge with the photosensor during a second integration period which follows the pulsing; and reading out accumulated charge in the photosensor after the second integration period; and during a second operating mode; filling the photosensor with charge; pulsing the transistor with the first voltage to remove a portion of the charge and leaving residual charge in the photosensor; and reading out the residual charge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating an imager, the method comprising:
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filling a pixel photosensor with stored charges; removing a portion of the stored charges from the photosensor by lowering to a set level a potential barrier which maintains residual charges within the photosensor; and reading out a signal representing the residual charges in the photosensor after the portion of stored charges are removed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating an imager, comprising:
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during a calibration mode; filling a photosensor with stored charges; removing a portion of the stored charges from the photosensor by lowering to a set level a potential barrier which maintains residual charges within the photosensor; and reading out a signal representing the residual charges in the photosensor after the portion of stored charges are removed; repeating the filling, removing and reading out steps for a plurality of light intensities; and using the read out signals to determine a pixel response curve for image signals produced by the pixel; and during an image capture mode; accumulating charge with a photosensor of a pixel; reading out an image signal based on the accumulated charge in the photosensor; and adjusting a value of the image signal in dependence on the pixel response curve, wherein the calibration mode occurs once for each predetermined number of images captures and the image capture mode occurs once for each image captured.
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15. An imager, comprising:
a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels for providing an output signal, each pixel comprising; a photosensor configured to accumulate charge; a transistor having a gate from transferring charge from the photosensor, the transistor being electrically coupled to the photosensor; and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to cause; during a first operating mode; the photosensor to accumulate charge during a first integration period; the transistor to be pulsed with a first voltage which is lower than a turn on voltage of the transistor, at the end of the first integration period; the photosensor to continue to accumulate charge during a second integration period which follows the pulsing; and the photosensor to output the accumulated after the second integration period; and during a second operating mode; the photosensor to be filled with charge; the transistor to be pulsed with the first voltage to remove a portion of the charge and leaving residual charge in the photosensor; and the residual charge to be output by the photosensor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An imager comprising:
a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels for providing an output signal, each pixel comprising; a photosensor configured to accumulate charge; a transistor having a gate from transferring charge from the photosensor, the transistor being electrically coupled to the photosensor; and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to cause; a pixel photosensor to be filled with charge; a potential barrier to be lowered to a set level, thereby removing a portion of the charge from the photosensor while maintaining residual charges within the photosensor; and a signal representing the residual charges in the photosensor after the portion of stored charges are removed to be output. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification