Extended dynamic imaging system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An imaging system, comprising:
- (a) an imager having an array of photodetectors, each of which accumulates charge during an integration period as a result of light detected during said integration period, wherein;
the array has a charge capacity which determines the maximum charge each photodetector of the array can accumulate;
the charge capacity is controlled by a charge capacity control voltage applied to the array; and
the imager increases the charge capacity control voltage during the integration period in a predetermined maimer in accordance with a function and function information to cause a corresponding increase in the charge capacity during the integration period; and
(b) a charge capacity controller coupled to said imager which provides the function information to the imager wherein the function information is based upon the brightness distribution detected by said imager during at least one previous integration period.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A imager has an array of photodetectors, each of which accumulates charge during an integration period as a result of light detected during said integration period, said array having a charge capacity which increases during the integration period. A charge capacity controller coupled to said imager adjusts how the imager increases the charge capacity of the array based upon the brightness distribution detected by said imager during at least one previous integration period.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An imaging system, comprising:
-
(a) an imager having an array of photodetectors, each of which accumulates charge during an integration period as a result of light detected during said integration period, wherein; the array has a charge capacity which determines the maximum charge each photodetector of the array can accumulate; the charge capacity is controlled by a charge capacity control voltage applied to the array; and the imager increases the charge capacity control voltage during the integration period in a predetermined maimer in accordance with a function and function information to cause a corresponding increase in the charge capacity during the integration period; and (b) a charge capacity controller coupled to said imager which provides the function information to the imager wherein the function information is based upon the brightness distribution detected by said imager during at least one previous integration period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
- 11. An imaging system, comprising a charge capacity controller coupled to an imager having an array of photodetectors, each of which accumulates charge during an integration period as a result of light detected during said integration period, said array having a charge capacity which determines the maximum charge each photodetector of the array can accumulate, wherein the charge capacity is controlled by a charge capacity control voltage applied to the array, wherein the imager increases the charge capacity control voltage during the integration period in a predetermined manner in accordance with a function and function information to cause a corresponding increase in the charge capacity during the integration period, wherein the charge capacity controller provides the function information to the imager, wherein the function information is based upon the brightness distribution detected by said imager during at least one previous integration period.
-
14. In an imager having an array of photodetectors, each of which accumulates charge during an integration period as a result of light detected during said integration period, wherein the array has a charge capacity which determines the maximum charge each photodetector of the array can accumulate and the charge capacity is controlled by a charge capacity control voltage applied to the array;
- and a method for increasing the dynamic range of the imager, the method comprising the steps of;
(a) increasing the charge capacity control voltage during the integration period during the integration period in a predetermined manner in accordance with a function and function information to cause a corresponding increase in the charge capacity during the integration period; and (b) providing the function information to the imager, wherein the function information is based upon the brightness distribution detected by the imager during at least one previous integration period. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
- and a method for increasing the dynamic range of the imager, the method comprising the steps of;
-
18. An imaging system, comprising:
-
(a) means for increasing a charge capacity control voltage of an array of photodetectors of an imager during an integration period in a predetermined manner in accordance with a function and function information to cause a corresponding increase in the charge capacity during the integration period, wherein each photodetector accumulates charge during the integration period as a result of light detected during said integration period, wherein the array has a charge capacity which determines the maximum charge each photodetector of the array can accumulate and the charge capacity is controlled by the charge capacity control voltage applied to the array; and (b) means for providing the function information to the imager, wherein the function information is based upon the brightness distribution detected by the imager during at least one previous integration period. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification