Conditional-reset image sensor with analog counter array

• US 9,380,245 B1
• Filed: 02/05/2014
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rambus Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rambus Inc.
• Inventors: Guidash, Michael, Vogelsang, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): LeGasse, Jr., Francis M
• Application Number:
  US14/173,077
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/10 for generating image signals from different wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/134 based on three different wavelength filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/57 Control of the dynamic range
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/702 SSIS architectures characterised by non-identical, non-equidistant or non-planar pixel layout
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/75 Circuitry for providing, modifying or processing image signals from the pixel array

Abstract

In an image sensor containing an array of pixels, a pixel signal corresponding to the state of a photosensitive element is read-out of each pixel and compared with a threshold. If the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold, the state of the photosensitive element is reset and an analog-count voltage that corresponds to the pixel is incremented.

Claims

1. A method of operation within an image sensor containing an array of pixels, the method comprising, for each of the pixels:

iteratively reading out a pixel signal that corresponds to a state of a photosensitive element within the pixel during an image frame interval; and

for each read-out iteration;

determining whether the pixel signal exceeds a first threshold;

resetting the state of the photosensitive element if the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold; and

incrementing an analog-count voltage that corresponds to the pixel if the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold to produce an analog count value indicative of the number of times the state of the photosensitive element is reset during the image frame interval.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein reading out the pixel signal that corresponds to the state of the photosensitive element within the pixel comprises asserting a row-select signal to enable the pixel signal to be output onto a data line, the data line coupled to a column of the pixels within the array of pixels.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein determining whether the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold comprises comparing the pixel signal against the first threshold within a sense amplifier coupled to receive the pixel signal via the data line.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein resetting the state of the photosensitive element if the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold comprises outputting, from the sense amplifier onto a reset signal line, a reset signal in either an asserted or deasserted state according to whether the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein resetting the state of the photosensitive element if the pixel exceeds the first threshold further comprises switchably coupling the photosensitive element to a reset voltage node in response to assertion of the reset signal.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein incrementing an analog-count voltage that corresponds to the pixel comprises enabling a current source to incrementally charge a capacitive element in response to assertion of the reset signal, the analog-count voltage being a voltage of the capacitive element.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein enabling a current source to incrementally charge the capacitive element in response to assertion of the reset signal comprises switchably coupling the current source to the capacitive element.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein switchably coupling the current source to the capacitive element comprises switchably forming a path from the current source to the capacitive element through a first switching element that is rendered to a conducting state in response to assertion of the row-select signal and through a second switching element that is rendered to a conducting state in response to assertion of the reset signal.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein incrementing the analog-count voltage that corresponds to the pixel comprises enabling current flow into a capacitive storage element if the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold, the analog-count voltage being a voltage of the capacitive storage element.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising generating a digital pixel value that corresponds to the analog-count voltage upon concluding an image frame interval.

11. An image sensor comprising:

an array of pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive element;

an array of analog counters; and

read-out circuitry that operates iteratively with respect to each of the pixels during an image frame interval to;

read out a pixel signal that corresponds to a state of the photosensitive element within the pixel,

determine whether the pixel signal exceeds a first threshold,

reset the state of the photosensitive element if the pixel signal exceeds a first threshold, and

increment an analog-count voltage within one of the analog counters that corresponds to the pixel if the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold to produce an analog count value indicative of the number of times the state of the photosensitive element is reset during the image frame interval.

12. The image sensor of claim 11 wherein the array of pixels comprises a data line coupled to a column of pixels within the array of pixels, and wherein the read-out circuitry to read out the pixel signal that corresponds to the state of the photosensitive element within the pixel comprises row-select circuitry to assert a row-select signal that enables the pixel signal to be output onto the data line.

13. The image sensor of claim 12 wherein the read-out circuitry to determine whether the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold comprises a sense amplifier coupled to receive the pixel signal via the data line, the sense amplifier including circuitry to compare the pixel signal against the first threshold.

14. The image sensor of claim 13 wherein the array of pixels comprises a reset signal line coupled to the column of pixels, and wherein the read-out circuitry to reset the state of the photosensitive element if the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold comprises circuitry within the sense amplifier to output, onto the reset signal line, a reset signal in either an asserted or deasserted state according to whether the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold.

15. The image sensor of claim 14 wherein a one of the pixels coupled to the reset signal line and to the row-select line comprises one or more switching elements to switchably couple the photosensitive element to a reset voltage node in response to concurrent assertion of the reset signal and the row-select signal.

16. The image sensor of claim 14 further comprising a current source, and wherein the one of the analog counters comprises a capacitive element and circuitry to enable the current source to incrementally charge the capacitive element in response to assertion of the reset signal, the analog-count voltage being a voltage of the capacitive element.

17. The image sensor of claim 16 wherein the circuitry to enable the current source to incrementally charge the capacitive element in response to assertion of the reset signal comprises one or more switching elements to couple the current source to the capacitive element.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the one or more switching elements to couple the current source to the capacitive element comprises a first switching element rendered to a conducting state in response to assertion of the row-select signal and a second switching element rendered to a conducting state in response to assertion of the reset signal.

19. The image sensor of claim 11 further comprising a current source, and wherein the one of the analog counters comprises a capacitive element and circuitry to switchably couple the current source to the capacitive element, the analog-count voltage being a voltage of the capacitive element.

20. The image sensor of claim 19 further comprising analog-to-digital conversion circuitry to generate a digital pixel value that corresponds to the analog-count voltage upon concluding an image frame interval.

21. An image sensor comprising:

an array of pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive element;

means for iteratively reading out a pixel signal that corresponds to a state of the photosensitive element within each pixel during an image frame interval;

means for determining, for each read-out iteration, whether the pixel signal exceeds a first threshold;

means for resetting the state of the photosensitive element for each read-out iteration in which the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold; and

means for incrementing an analog-count voltage that corresponds to the pixel for each read-out iteration in which the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold to produce an analog count value indicative of the number of times the state of the photosensitive element is reset during the image frame interval.