公开(公告)号：US20100141792A1

公开(公告)日：2010-06-10

申请号：US12630594

申请日：2009-12-03

申请人： Kimitaka Arai

发明人： Kimitaka Arai

IPC分类号： H04N5/235

CPC分类号： H04N5/23248 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/3745

摘要： An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit including a plurality of pixels adjacently disposed in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction and configured to perform photoelectric conversion on received light to accumulate electric charge, and a pixel exposure control unit configured to set an exposure amount of each of the plurality of pixels based on a result of capturing an image by the image capturing unit and to control an exposure time of each of the plurality of pixels.

摘要翻译： 一种图像拍摄装置，包括：图像拍摄单元，包括在水平方向和垂直方向上相邻设置的多个像素，并且被配置为对接收的光进行光电转换以积累电荷;以及像素曝光控制单元，被配置为设定曝光量 基于由图像捕获单元捕获图像的结果，并且控制多个像素中的每一个的曝光时间。

公开(公告)号：US20100085460A1

公开(公告)日：2010-04-08

申请号：US12633044

申请日：2009-12-08

申请人： Kouichi Harada ,  Tomoo Mitsunaga ,  Seiji Kobayashi

发明人： Kouichi Harada ,  Tomoo Mitsunaga ,  Seiji Kobayashi

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H01L27/1485 ,  H01L27/1462 ,  H01L27/14812 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/3728

摘要： Disclosed herein is a photographing device that includes a number of light-receiving elements, a number of vertical transfer registers, a first drive-voltage applying electrode, and a second drive-voltage applying electrode. The light-receiving elements are arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The vertical transfer registers transfers the electric charges accumulated in the light-receiving elements in the vertical direction. The first drive-voltage applying electrode is arranged parallel to the vertical transfer registers, for applying a drive voltage to a specific one of the vertical transfer registers. The second drive-voltage applying electrode is arranged perpendicular to the vertical transfer registers, for applying a second drive voltage to the vertical transfer registers at the same time. The electric charges accumulated in the light-receiving elements are transferred to the vertical transfer registers, due to the voltage output from the first drive-voltage applying electrode or the second drive-voltage applying electrode, or the voltages output from both electrodes. Therefore, the light-receiving elements can have different sensitivities, and the photographing device can photograph dynamic scenes in a broad dynamic range.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了一种拍摄装置，其包括多个光接收元件，多个垂直传送寄存器，第一驱动电压施加电极和第二驱动电压施加电极。 光接收元件沿水平方向和垂直方向排列。 垂直传送寄存器在垂直方向上传送累积在光接收元件中的电荷。 第一驱动电压施加电极平行于垂直传送寄存器布置，用于将驱动电压施加到特定的一个垂直传送寄存器。 第二驱动电压施加电极垂直于垂直传送寄存器布置，用于将第二驱动电压同时施加到垂直传送寄存器。 由于从第一驱动电压施加电极或第二驱动电压施加电极输出的电压或从两个电极输出的电压，累积在光接收元件中的电荷被传送到垂直传送寄存器。 因此，光接收元件可以具有不同的灵敏度，并且拍摄装置可以在宽动态范围内拍摄动态场景。

公开(公告)号：US07659931B2

公开(公告)日：2010-02-09

申请号：US10619100

申请日：2003-07-14

申请人： Mitsuharu Ohki

发明人： Mitsuharu Ohki

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/238

CPC分类号： H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/3594

摘要： In an imaging apparatus, a function whose value increases in time is used as a threshold electric-signal level, and an electric-signal level of a photoreceptor element is compared with the threshold electric-signal level. Even if a light received by the photoreceptor element has a low luminance, the electric-signal level of the photoreceptor element crosses the threshold electric-signal level in a short time, allowing calculation of the amount of optical energy received by the photoreceptor element. Furthermore, when an object having a region where brightness changes in time and also having a region with a low luminance is imaged, imaging interval is changed in accordance with luminance. Accordingly, information regarding how the brightness of the object is rapidly changing in time can be obtained more precisely, and an image can be output without making a projection image of the dark region completely black.

摘要翻译： 在成像装置中，将其时间值增加的功能用作阈值电信号电平，并将感光体元件的电信号电平与阈值电信号电平进行比较。 即使感光元件所接收的光具有低亮度，感光元件的电信号电平在短时间内与阈值电信号电平相交，从而能够计算由感光体元件接收的光能量。 此外，当具有亮度随时间变化的区域并且具有低亮度区域的物体成像时，成像间隔根据亮度而改变。 因此，可以更精确地获得关于物体的亮度如何快速变化的信息，并且可以输出图像而不使暗区域的投影图像完全变黑。

公开(公告)号：US20090295959A1

公开(公告)日：2009-12-03

申请号：US12473673

申请日：2009-05-28

申请人： Makoto Shoho ,  Kazuo Hashiguchi

发明人： Makoto Shoho ,  Kazuo Hashiguchi

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： A solid-state image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pixel area in which pixels for generating a signal charge by a photoelectric conversion on an incident light are arranged in a two dimensional matrix; a row selection section for selecting each pixel row of the pixel area; a plurality of column signal lines, to which an analog pixel signal from each pixel of a pixel row selected by the row selection section is readout; and a signal processing circuit for generating a digital pixel value from the analog pixel signal of each pixel that is read out to each of the column signal lines, where the signal processing circuit includes at least two or more AD conversion circuits for simultaneously converting the analog pixel signal of each pixel of the selected pixel row into a digital pixel value.

摘要翻译： 根据本发明的固态图像捕获装置包括像素区域，其中通过入射光的光电转换产生信号电荷的像素被排列成二维矩阵; 行选择部，用于选择像素区的每个像素行; 读取由行选择部选择的像素行的每个像素的模拟像素信号的多个列信号线; 以及信号处理电路，用于从读出到每个列信号线的每个像素的模拟像素信号产生数字像素值，其中信号处理电路包括至少两个或更多个AD转换电路，用于同时转换模拟 所选择的像素行的每个像素的像素信号成为数字像素值。

公开(公告)号：US20090273697A1

公开(公告)日：2009-11-05

申请号：US12429767

申请日：2009-04-24

申请人： Kazuhiro Sonoda

发明人： Kazuhiro Sonoda

IPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  H03M1/12

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/123 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/3742 ,  H04N5/37452

摘要： A solid-state imaging apparatus includes an A/D conversion circuit in each column, wherein a connecting unit is provided for connecting a register circuit in a certain column to a register circuit in another column, and an operation is performed for holding, in register circuits through the connecting unit, digital signals obtained by performing A/D conversions of analog electric signals at different timings in one horizontal synchronizing period.

摘要翻译： 固态成像装置包括每列中的A / D转换电路，其中提供连接单元用于将特定列中的寄存器电路连接到另一列中的寄存器电路，并且执行操作以保持在寄存器 通过连接单元的电路，通过在一个水平同步周期中以不同的定时执行模拟电信号的A / D转换而获得的数字信号。

公开(公告)号：US07554588B2

公开(公告)日：2009-06-30

申请号：US11345642

申请日：2006-01-31

申请人： Yoel Yaffe

发明人： Yoel Yaffe

IPC分类号： H04N5/235

CPC分类号： H04N9/045 ,  H04N5/353 ,  H04N5/3532 ,  H04N5/3535 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： A method of capturing an image of a scene using an image capture device having an array of pixels arranged into a plurality of rows includes, for a first duration, capturing a first portion of the scene with a first plurality of the rows and, for a second duration that is longer than the first duration, capturing a second portion of the scene with a second plurality of the rows. If a pixel value is below a first threshold, an interpolated pixel value is used. If the pixel value is above a second predetermined threshold, a different interpolated pixel value is used.

摘要翻译： 使用具有布置成多行的像素阵列的图像捕获装置捕获场景的图像的方法包括：在第一持续时间内，以第一多个行捕获场景的第一部分，并且对于 第二持续时间长于第一持续时间，用第二多个行捕获场景的第二部分。 如果像素值低于第一阈值，则使用内插像素值。 如果像素值高于第二预定阈值，则使用不同的内插像素值。

公开(公告)号：US20090072120A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-19

申请号：US12184160

申请日：2008-07-31

申请人： E. John McGarry ,  Rafael Dominguez-Castro ,  Alberto Garcia

发明人： E. John McGarry ,  Rafael Dominguez-Castro ,  Alberto Garcia

IPC分类号： H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/2353 ,  H04N5/3535 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： An image processing system includes an image sensor circuit. The image sensor circuit is configured to obtain an image using a type of shutter operation in which an exposure pattern of a pixel array is set according to exposure information that changes over time based at least partially on charge accumulated in at least a portion of the pixel array. An image sensor circuit includes a pixel array and one or more circuits. The one or more circuits are configured to update exposure information based at least partially on one or more signals output from the pixel array, and to control an exposure pattern of the pixel array based on the exposure information. A pixel circuit includes a first transistor connected between a photodiode and a sense node, and a second transistor connected between an exposure control signal line and a gate of the first transistor.

摘要翻译： 图像处理系统包括图像传感器电路。 图像传感器电路被配置为使用一种快门操作来获得图像，其中根据随时间改变的曝光信息来设置像素阵列的曝光图案，所述曝光信息至少部分地基于在像素的至少一部分中累积的电荷 数组。 图像传感器电路包括像素阵列和一个或多个电路。 一个或多个电路被配置为至少部分地基于从像素阵列输出的一个或多个信号来更新曝光信息，并且基于曝光信息来控制像素阵列的曝光图案。 像素电路包括连接在光电二极管和感测节点之间的第一晶体管，以及连接在曝光控制信号线和第一晶体管的栅极之间的第二晶体管。

公开(公告)号：US20090059048A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-05

申请号：US11849129

申请日：2007-08-31

申请人： Xiaodong LUO ,  Hongli YANG

发明人： Xiaodong LUO ,  Hongli YANG

IPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  H04N3/14

CPC分类号： H04N9/045 ,  H04N5/2353 ,  H04N5/2355 ,  H04N5/343 ,  H04N5/3458 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/35554

摘要： An image sensor has an array of photo-sensitive pixels and supports a line-by-line read out of rows. In a normal resolution each row has the same nominal gain and exposure time. In a down-sampling mode the exposure times of the rows are varied according to an alternating sequence having at least two different exposure times. During down-sampling, raw pixel data from rows with different exposure times is combined to simultaneously achieve down-sampling and a high dynamic range.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器具有光敏像素阵列，并且支持逐行读出行。 在正常分辨率下，每行具有相同的额定增益和曝光时间。 在下采样模式中，行的曝光时间根据具有至少两个不同曝光时间的交替序列而变化。 在下采样期间，来自具有不同曝光时间的行的原始像素数据被组合以同时实现下采样和高动态范围。

公开(公告)号：US07489352B2

公开(公告)日：2009-02-10

申请号：US10294686

申请日：2002-11-15

申请人： Junichi Nakamura

发明人： Junichi Nakamura

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/35563 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： An image apparatus and method is disclosed for extending the dynamic range of an image sensor. A first linear pixel circuit produces a first pixel output signal based on charge integration by a first photo-conversion device over a first integration period. A second linear pixel circuit produces a second pixel output signal based on charge integration by a second photo-conversion device over a second integration period, where the second integration period is shorter than the first integration period. A sample-and-hold circuit captures signals representing the first and second pixel output signals.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于扩展图像传感器的动态范围的图像设备和方法。 第一线性像素电路在第一积分周期基于第一光转换装置的电荷积分产生第一像素输出信号。 第二线性像素电路在第二积分周期比第一积分周期短的第二积分周期基于第二光转换装置的电荷积分产生第二像素输出信号。 采样和保持电路捕获表示第一和第二像素输出信号的信号。

公开(公告)号：US20080225145A1

公开(公告)日：2008-09-18

申请号：US12038856

申请日：2008-02-28

申请人： Kazuhiro Sonoda

发明人： Kazuhiro Sonoda

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/3456 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel converting incident light into an analog electrical signal and outputting the analog electrical signal; AD converters in correspondence with individual columns, each AD converter converting the analog electrical signal from a corresponding pixel into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal from an output terminal; register circuits in correspondence with the individual columns, each register circuit receiving at an input terminal the digital signal output from the output terminal of a corresponding AD converter and storing the digital signal; and connection units, each of which connects the output terminal of a corresponding AD converter for one column to the input terminal of a corresponding register circuit for a different column or to connect the output terminal of a corresponding register circuit for one column to the input terminal of a corresponding register circuit for a different column.

摘要翻译： 固态图像拾取装置包括以矩阵布置的像素，每个像素将入射光转换成模拟电信号并输出​​模拟电信号; AD转换器，每个AD转换器将模拟电信号从相应的像素转换成数字信号，并从输出端输出数字信号; 每个寄存器电路在输入端接收从相应的AD转换器的输出端输出的数字信号并存储数字信号; 以及连接单元，每个连接单元将用于一列的相应AD转换器的输出端子连接到用于不同列的相应寄存器电路的输入端子，或者将用于一列的相应寄存器电路的输出端子连接到输入端子 用于不同列的相应的寄存器电路。