公开(公告)号：US11233968B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-25

申请号：US17069330

申请日：2020-10-13

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Oyvind Janbu ,  Tore Martinussen

IPC: H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/225 ,  H03M1/46 ,  H03M1/12 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/374

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor comprises an array of pixels. A column of the pixel array is coupled to a readout column. The readout column is couple to a readout circuitry (RC) that reads out image data from the pixel array. The RC comprises a sampling switch which is coupled to a 1-column successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The 1-column SAR ADC comprises a differential comparator, a local SAR control, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The sampling switch is coupled between a readout column and a non-inverting input of the differential comparator. An image readout method reads one pixel with two conversions through the RC. The RC is operated by the local SAR control to set the DAC based on comparator output, and upon which a reset digital value is obtained and stored. An overall reduced algorithm calculation is achieved herein.

公开(公告)号：US20210029320A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-28

申请号：US17069330

申请日：2020-10-13

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Oyvind Janbu ,  Tore Martinussen

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/46 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H03M1/12

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor comprises an array of pixels. A column of the pixel array is coupled to a readout column. The readout column is couple to a readout circuitry (RC) that reads out image data from the pixel array. The RC comprises a sampling switch which is coupled to a 1-column successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The 1-column SAR ADC comprises a differential comparator, a local SAR control, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The sampling switch is coupled between a readout column and a non-inverting input of the differential comparator. An image readout method reads one pixel with two conversions through the RC. The RC is operated by the local SAR control to set the DAC based on comparator output, and upon which a reset digital value is obtained and stored. An overall reduced algorithm calculation is achieved herein.

公开(公告)号：US20190313042A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-10

申请号：US16296338

申请日：2019-03-08

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Oyvind Janbu ,  Tore Martinussen

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/46 ,  H03M1/12 ,  H04N5/374

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor is made of an array of pixels. A column of the pixel array is coupled to a readout column. The readout column is couple to a readout circuitry (RC) that reads out an image data from the pixel array. The RC is made of at least one sampling switch which is coupled to a successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The SAR ADC is made of a differential comparator, a local SAR control, and at least one digital-to-analog converter (DAC). One sampling switch is coupled between a readout column and a non-inverting input of the differential comparator. An image readout method reads two pixels with three conversions by using the RC. The RC is operated by SAR control circuitry to set its two DACs based on comparator output, and upon which a reset digital value is obtained and stored. The image data is achieved with a reduced algorithm calculation by using the stored reset digital value alongside other operations of the RC.