IMAGE SENSOR WITH FLEXIBLE PIXEL SUMMING
First Claim
1. A method for performing flexible pixel summing in an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels and the pixels are grouped into subsets of pixels with each subset of pixels including three or more pixels operably connected to a separate common node, the method comprising:
- in a subset of pixels,selecting N pixels to include in a summing operation, where N represents a number that is between two and a total number of pixels in the subset of pixels;
summing charge in the N pixels together by transferring the charge from the N pixels to the common node; and
reading out the summed charge from the common node.
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Abstract
An image sensor can include pixels that are grouped into subsets of pixels, with each subset including three or more pixels. A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging can include capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for all of the pixels. In a subset of pixels, charge in N pixels is read out and summed together. N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset. Un-summed charge is read out from one pixel in the subset. The un-summed charge and the summed charge are combined when producing a high dynamic range image.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for performing flexible pixel summing in an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels and the pixels are grouped into subsets of pixels with each subset of pixels including three or more pixels operably connected to a separate common node, the method comprising:
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in a subset of pixels, selecting N pixels to include in a summing operation, where N represents a number that is between two and a total number of pixels in the subset of pixels; summing charge in the N pixels together by transferring the charge from the N pixels to the common node; and reading out the summed charge from the common node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging using an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are grouped into subsets of pixels and each subset includes three or more pixels, the method comprising:
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capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for the plurality of pixels; and in a subset of pixels, reading out charge from N pixels and summing the charge together, wherein N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset of pixels; reading out un-summed charge from one pixel in the subset of pixels; and combining the un-summed charge with the summed charge when producing a high dynamic range image. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging using an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are grouped into subsets of pixels and each subset includes three or more pixels operably connected to a separate common node, the method comprising:
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capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for the plurality of pixels; and in a subset of pixels, summing charge in N pixels together by transferring the charge from the N pixels to the common node, wherein N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset of pixels; reading out the summed charge from the common node; reading out un-summed charge from one pixel in the subset of pixels; and combining the un-summed charge with the summed charge when producing a high dynamic range image. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An image sensor, comprising:
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an imaging area that includes a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are grouped into subsets of pixels with each subset including three or more pixels operably connected to a separate common node; and a processor for selecting N pixels to include in a summing operation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification