公开(公告)号：US20160105621A1

公开(公告)日：2016-04-14

申请号：US14882361

申请日：2015-10-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Andrew Kenneth John McMahon ,  D. Amnon Sliverstein ,  David R. Pope ,  Suk Hwan Lim

IPC: H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: A pedestal level for an image sensor can be dynamically adjusted based on one or more parameters. The parameters include one or more operating conditions associated with the image sensor, pre-determined image sensor characterization data, the number of unused digital codes, and/or the number of clipped pixel signals. The operating conditions can include the temperature of the image sensor, the gain of at least one amplifier included in processing circuitry operably connected to at least one pixel, and/or the length of the integration period for at least one pixel in the image sensor. Based on the one or more of the parameters, the pedestal level is adjusted to reduce a number of unused digital codes in a distribution of dark current. Additionally or alternatively, the variance of the pixel signals can be reduced to permit the use of a lower pedestal level.

Abstract translation: 可以基于一个或多个参数来动态调整用于图像传感器的基座水平。 这些参数包括与图像传感器相关联的一个或多个操作条件，预定图像传感器表征数据，未使用的数字代码的数量和/或限幅像素信号的数量。 操作条件可以包括图像传感器的温度，包括在可操作地连接到至少一个像素的处理电路中的至少一个放大器的增益和/或图像传感器中的至少一个像素的积分周期的长度。 基于一个或多个参数，调节基座电平以减少暗电流分布中未使用的数字代码的数量。 附加地或替代地，可以减小像素信号的方差以允许使用较低的基座电平。