Image sensor with high dynamic range linear output
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- forming a two-dimensional array of pixels;
allowing the pixels to receive light representing an image to be detected by allowing the pixels to accumulate light beginning at a first time;
in each frame readout, reading out each of the pixels at least at both of a first shorter integration time, which begins at said first time, and ends at a second time and a second longer integration time, which begins at said first time and ends at a third time subsequent to said second time; and
resetting each pixel after each readout of the pixel.
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Abstract
Designs and operational methods to increase the dynamic range of image sensors and APS devices in particular by achieving more than one integration times for each pixel thereof. An APS system with more than one column-parallel signal chains for readout are described for maintaining a high frame rate in readout. Each active pixel is sampled for multiple times during a single frame readout, thus resulting in multiple integration times. The operation methods can also be used to obtain multiple integration times for each pixel with an APS design having a single column-parallel signal chain for readout. Furthermore, analog-to-digital conversion of high speed and high resolution can be implemented.
61 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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forming a two-dimensional array of pixels; allowing the pixels to receive light representing an image to be detected by allowing the pixels to accumulate light beginning at a first time; in each frame readout, reading out each of the pixels at least at both of a first shorter integration time, which begins at said first time, and ends at a second time and a second longer integration time, which begins at said first time and ends at a third time subsequent to said second time; and resetting each pixel after each readout of the pixel.
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2. A method, comprising:
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forming a two-dimensional array of pixels; allowing the pixels to receive light representing an image to be detected by allowing the pixels to accumulate light beginning at a first time; in each frame readout, reading out each of the pixels at least at both of a first shorter integration time, which begins at said first time, and ends at a second time and a second longer integration time, which begins at said first time and ends at a third time subsequent to said second time; resetting each pixel after each readout of the pixel; and processing information from the readouts to combine portions of information from the first shorter integration time with information from the readouts from the second longer integration time, to form a composite readout.
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3. A method comprising:
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forming a two-dimensional array of pixels; allowing the pixels to receive light representing an image to be detected by allowing the pixels to accumulate light beginning at a first time; in each frame readout, reading out each of the pixels at least at both of a first shorter integration time, which begins at said first time, and ends at a second time and a second longer integration time, which begins at said first time and ends at a third time subsequent to said second time wherein said reading out comprises reading out first row of pixels representing said first shorter integration time and a second row of pixels representing said second longer integration time; and resetting each pixel after each readout of the pixel. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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allowing an array of pixels to receive light representing an image to be detected; reading two separated rows of pixels in each single row readout process to produce two different readout signals with different integration times for each pixel in a single frame readout wherein said reading reads an entire row at each reading time; and resetting each pixel after each readout of the pixel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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10. A method, comprising:
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allowing an array of pixels to receive light representing an image to be detected; in each frame readout, reading two separated rows of pixels in each single row readout process, wherein said two separated rows of pixels represent a first row of pixels representing the image integration for a shorter integration time, and a second row of pixels representing the image integration for a longer integration time and resetting each pixel after each readout of the pixel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system, comprising:
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a semiconductor substrate defining a two-dimensional array of pixels, each of said pixels formed with a photoreceptor portion therein, and at least one active readout portion therein, a readout control part, controlling said pixels to allow the pixels to receive light representing an image to be detected, and allowing the pixels to accumulate light for an integration, and to control the pixels to readout information, within each frame readout, from the pixels representative of light reception for a first integration time starting at a first time, and a second integration time longer than said first integration time also starting at said first time, such that each pixel provides light output integrated over both of said first and second integration times for each pixel within each frame readout, wherein the readout control part is configured to reset each pixel after each readout of the pixel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification