公开(公告)号：US07483058B1

公开(公告)日：2009-01-27

申请号：US10634302

申请日：2003-08-04

申请人： Michael Frank ,  Ricardo J. Motta ,  Justin Reyneri ,  David Xiao Dong Yang ,  William R. Bidermann ,  Odutola Oluseye Ewedemi

发明人： Michael Frank ,  Ricardo J. Motta ,  Justin Reyneri ,  David Xiao Dong Yang ,  William R. Bidermann ,  Odutola Oluseye Ewedemi

IPC分类号： H04N5/228

CPC分类号： H04N5/3355 ,  H04N5/232

摘要： A video imaging system includes a digital image sensor for performing image capture operations and a digital image processor for performing image processing operations. The digital image sensor includes a sensor array outputting digital pixel data, an image buffer for storing the pixel data, a first processor and a first interface circuit for transferring the pixel data onto a pixel bus. The digital image processor includes a second interface circuit coupled to receive the pixel data from the pixel bus, a frame buffer coupled to store the pixel data, an image processing pipeline for processing the pixel data stored in the frame buffer into video data, and a second processor. The digital image sensor and the digital image processor transfer control information over a control interface bus and the digital image sensor performs the image capture operations independent of the image processing operations performed by the digital image processor.

摘要翻译： 视频成像系统包括用于执行图像捕获操作的数字图像传感器和用于执行图像处理操作的数字图像处理器。 数字图像传感器包括输出数字像素数据的传感器阵列，用于存储像素数据的图像缓冲器，用于将像素数据传送到像素总线的第一处理器和第一接口电路。 数字图像处理器包括耦合以从像素总线接收像素数据的第二接口电路，耦合以存储像素数据的帧缓冲器，用于将存储在帧缓冲器中的像素数据处理为视频数据的图像处理流水线，以及 第二处理器。 数字图像传感器和数字图像处理器通过控制接口总线和数字图像传感器传送控制信息执行与数字图像处理器执行的图像处理操作无关的图像捕获操作。

公开(公告)号：US07362355B1

公开(公告)日：2008-04-22

申请号：US10634339

申请日：2003-08-04

申请人： David Xiao Dong Yang ,  Michael Frank ,  Odutola Oluseye Ewedemi ,  William R. Bidermann ,  Ricardo J. Motta ,  Justin Reyneri ,  Hui Tian

发明人： David Xiao Dong Yang ,  Michael Frank ,  Odutola Oluseye Ewedemi ,  William R. Bidermann ,  Ricardo J. Motta ,  Justin Reyneri ,  Hui Tian

IPC分类号： H04N5/235

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/367

摘要： A system-on-chip imaging system includes an image sensor of a two-dimensional array of pixel elements providing pixel data representing an image of a scene, a data memory for storing pixel codewords whereby at least some of the pixel codewords are indicative of the pixel data, a programmable lookup table for providing LUT codewords as output data, and a processing unit for receiving LUT codewords from the lookup table and generating output image data. In operation, a first pixel codeword stored in the data memory is used to index the lookup table for causing the lookup table to provide a respective LUT codeword to the processing unit. The processing unit operates to perform one or more image processing functions in response to the LUT codeword. The lookup table can be programmed to perform a variety of image processing functions, including defective pixel correction, CDS subtraction, privacy masking and dark signal subtraction.

摘要翻译： 片上系统成像系统包括提供表示场景图像的像素数据的二维阵列阵列的图像传感器，用于存储像素码字的数据存储器，其中至少一些像素码字指示 像素数据，用于提供LUT码字作为输出数据的可编程查找表，以及用于从查找表接收LUT码字并产生输出图像数据的处理单元。 在操作中，存储在数据存储器中的第一像素码字用于索引查找表，以使查找表向处理单元提供相应的LUT码字。 处理单元操作以响应于LUT码字执行一个或多个图像处理功能。 可以对查找表进行编程，以执行各种图像处理功能，包括缺陷像素校正，CDS减法，隐私掩蔽和暗信号相减。

公开(公告)号：US06737626B1

公开(公告)日：2004-05-18

申请号：US09923274

申请日：2001-08-06

申请人： William R. Bidermann ,  Ricardo J. Motta

发明人： William R. Bidermann ,  Ricardo J. Motta

IPC分类号： H01L2700

CPC分类号： H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14627 ,  H01L27/1463

摘要： An integrated image sensor having a conditioned top silicon oxide layer and/or one or more additional insulating layers/structures to reduce optical and/or electrical noise. The image sensor has an array of one or more pixels, each pixel having a photoelement formed on a substrate and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to incident light, and associated circuitry formed on the substrate and configured to process the electrical signal generated in the photoelement. In one embodiment, a portion of a top insulating layer in the integrated image sensor corresponding to each photoelement has a thickness different from the thickness of a portion of the top insulating layer corresponding to its associated circuitry to inhibit the flow of light between the associated circuitry and the photoelement and/or between the pixel and an adjacent pixel in the array. In another embodiment, the image sensor has one or more insulating structures formed on the substrate and configured to inhibit the flow of electricity between a photoelement and its associated circuitry and/or the pixel and an adjacent pixel in the array. The present invention can reduce optical and/or electrical noise and crosstalk to improve image quality and diminish artifacts in the image sensor's output.

摘要翻译： 具有经调理的顶部氧化硅层和/或一个或多个附加绝缘层/结构的集成图像传感器，以减少光学和/或电气噪声。 图像传感器具有一个或多个像素的阵列，每个像素具有形成在衬底上并被配置为响应于入射光产生电信号的光电元件，以及形成在衬底上的相关电路，并被配置为处理在 光电元件。 在一个实施例中，对应于每个光电元件的集成图像传感器中的顶部绝缘层的一部分具有不同于与其相关电路对应的顶部绝缘层的一部分的厚度的厚度，以抑制相关电路之间的光流 和像素与阵列中的相邻像素之间和/或像素之间。 在另一个实施例中，图像传感器具有形成在衬底上的一个或多个绝缘结构，并且被配置为抑制光电元件及其相关联的电路和/或阵列中的像素和相邻像素之间的电流。 本发明可以减少光学和/或电噪声和串扰，以改善图像质量并减少图像传感器输出中的伪影。

公开(公告)号：US07027091B1

公开(公告)日：2006-04-11

申请号：US09954138

申请日：2001-09-17

申请人： Justin Reyneri ,  Ricardo J. Motta

发明人： Justin Reyneri ,  Ricardo J. Motta

IPC分类号： H04N9/47

CPC分类号： H04N9/045

摘要： Methods of detecting relative misalignment between a color filter array and a sensor array in a color sensor array. The present invention provides methods for detecting and compensating for shifts of one or more rows and/or columns between a color filter array and a sensor array that may occur during the color sensor array fabrication process. The present invention also enables the use of color sensor arrays in which the alignment of a color filter array relative to the corresponding sensor array is unknown. In one embodiment, a detectable pattern of one or more pixels (e.g., pixels having black filters) is introduced into the periphery of the color sensor array. The position of the pattern is detected and color image data are processed with respect to the detected position. The invention is very cost effective and enables the use of image sensors with misaligned color filter arrays just as if they were manufactured correctly. The benefits of the present invention include (1) increased manufacturing yields and, therefore, lower per unit manufacturing cost and (2) higher reliability of image sensors configured with color filter arrays.

摘要翻译： 检测彩色传感器阵列中的滤色器阵列与传感器阵列之间的相对不对准的方法。 本发明提供了用于检测和补偿在颜色传感器阵列制造过程期间可能发生的滤色器阵列和传感器阵列之间的一行或多行的位移和方法。 本发明还能够使用颜色传感器阵列，其中滤色器阵列相对于相应的传感器阵列的对准是未知的。 在一个实施例中，一个或多个像素的可检测图案（例如，具有黑色滤光器的像素）被引入到颜色传感器阵列的外围。 检测图案的位置并且相对于检测到的位置处理彩色图像数据。 本发明是非常成本有效的，并且使得能够使用具有未对准的滤色器阵列的图像传感器，就像它们被正确地制造一样。 本发明的优点包括（1）增加的制造产量，并因此降低每单位制造成本，以及（2）配置有滤色器阵列的图像传感器的更高的可靠性。

公开(公告)号：US07280141B1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-09

申请号：US10670014

申请日：2003-09-23

申请人： Michael Frank ,  Ricardo J. Motta

发明人： Michael Frank ,  Ricardo J. Motta

IPC分类号： H04N9/64

CPC分类号： H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/3651

摘要： A fixed pattern noise subtraction method in a digital imaging system incorporating a digital image sensor includes: acquiring a reference image of the digital image sensor when the digital image sensor receives no illumination, storing a reference value of an operating parameter associated with the reference image where the reference image is indicative of the fixed pattern noise associated with the digital image sensor, storing a model describing the behavior of the fixed pattern noise as a function of the operating parameter. Then, the method continues with acquiring a first image, measuring a current value of the operating parameter associated with the first image, calculating a noise prediction image by extrapolation of the reference image in accordance with the model and based on the current value and the reference value of the operating parameter, and subtracting the noise prediction image from the first image to generate a final image.

摘要翻译： 包含数字图像传感器的数字成像系统中的固定图案噪声减除方法包括：当数字图像传感器不接收到照明时，获取数字图像传感器的参考图像，存储与参考图像相关联的操作参数的参考值，其中 参考图像表示与数字图像传感器相关联的固定模式噪声，存储描述固定模式噪声的行为的模型作为操作参数的函数。 然后，该方法继续获取第一图像，测量与第一图像相关联的操作参数的当前值，根据模型通过外推参考图像并基于当前值和参考来计算噪声预测图像 值，并且从第一图像减去噪声预测图像以生成最终图像。

公开(公告)号：US07280705B1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-09

申请号：US10634296

申请日：2003-08-04

申请人： Michael Frank ,  Ricardo J. Motta

发明人： Michael Frank ,  Ricardo J. Motta

IPC分类号： G06K9/40 ,  G06K9/00

CPC分类号： H04N9/045 ,  H04N2209/046

摘要： A digital imaging system includes an image sensor, a frame buffer and a tone correction circuit. The tone correction circuit computes tone corrected pixel data using one or more tone correction curves. In operation, tone corrected pixel data for a first pixel is computed by generating a pixel mask for an m×n neighborhood of pixels surrounding the first pixel, applying a blending mask of weight factors to the pixel mask and computing a selector value based on the pixel mask and weight factors associated with the blending mask. The selector value is used to derive a first tone correction curve for use to compute the tone corrected pixel data for the first pixel. The first tone correction curve can be selected from the multiple tone correction curves based on the selector value or it can be derived by blending multiple tone correction curves based on the selector value.

摘要翻译： 数字成像系统包括图像传感器，帧缓冲器和色调校正电路。 色调校正电路使用一个或多个色调校正曲线来计算色调校正像素数据。 在操作中，通过生成用于围绕第一像素的像素的m×n个像素的像素掩模来计算第一像素的色调校正像素数据，将加权因子的混合掩模应用于像素掩码，并基于像素掩码计算选择器值 和与混合掩模相关联的体重因子。 选择器值用于导出用于计算第一像素的色调校正像素数据的第一色调校正曲线。 可以根据选择器值从多个色调校正曲线中选择第一个色调校正曲线，或者可以通过根据选择器值混合多个色调校正曲线来导出。

公开(公告)号：US08587682B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-19

申请号：US13026238

申请日：2011-02-12

申请人： Ricardo J. Motta

发明人： Ricardo J. Motta

IPC分类号： H04N5/225 ,  H04N15/00 ,  H04N5/222

CPC分类号： H04N7/144 ,  H04N7/181 ,  H04N13/243 ,  H04N13/366

摘要： A display system, method, and computer program product are provided for capturing images using multiple integrated image sensors. The display system includes a front panel for displaying an image. The display system further includes a matrix of image sensors situated behind the front panel.

摘要翻译： 提供显示系统，方法和计算机程序产品，用于使用多个集成图像传感器捕获图像。 显示系统包括用于显示图像的前面板。 显示系统还包括位于前面板后面的图像传感器矩阵。

公开(公告)号：US08619143B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-31

申请号：US12727603

申请日：2010-03-19

申请人： Ricardo J. Motta

发明人： Ricardo J. Motta

IPC分类号： H04N5/33

CPC分类号： H04N9/045 ,  H04N5/33 ,  H04N9/07 ,  H04N2209/046

摘要： An image sensing system includes an IR notch filter configured to block transmission of spectral energy having wavelengths in an interface region between the visible and the invisible spectra and enable transmission of spectral energy having wavelengths in at least the visible spectrum and the near-infrared (IR) spectrum, a digital image sensor including a two-dimensional array of pixel elements and configured to generate output signals at each pixel element as pixel data representing an image of a scene, and a color filter array including a two-dimensional array of selectively transmissive filters superimposed on and in registration with the two-dimensional array of pixel elements. The color filter array includes a first group of selectively transmissive filters disposed to transmit spectral energy in one or more colors of the visible spectrum and a second group of gray color filters disposed to transmit spectral energy in at least the near-infrared (IR) spectrum.

摘要翻译： 图像感测系统包括IR陷波滤波器，其被配置为阻挡在可见光谱和不可见光谱之间的界面区域中具有波长的光谱能量的传输，并且能够传输具有至少可见光谱和近红外（IR） ）频谱，数字图像传感器，包括像素元件的二维阵列，并且被配置为在每个像素元件处产生表示场景的图像的像素数据的输出信号，以及包括选择性透射的二维阵列的滤色器阵列 叠加在像素元素的二维阵列上并与之对准的滤波器。 滤色器阵列包括设置成以可见光谱的一种或多种颜色透射光谱能量的第一组选择性透射滤色器，以及设置成在至少近红外（IR）光谱中透射光谱能量的第二组灰色滤色器 。

公开(公告)号：US5646683A

公开(公告)日：1997-07-08

申请号：US534779

申请日：1995-09-27

申请人： Ricardo J. Motta

发明人： Ricardo J. Motta

IPC分类号： H04N5/225 ,  H04N3/08 ,  H04N1/04

CPC分类号： H04N3/08

摘要： Currently, electronic imaging cameras use expensive array photodetectors instead of inexpensive linear photodetectors because they cannot scan linear detectors across the entire image within their exposure time and because the linear photodetectors do not capture sufficient photons to produce a high quality image. An image capture system is described that has a lens to form an image on an imaging plane, a linear detector mounted to preclude translational motion, a mirror for deflecting the image to the plane of the linear detector, and a mechanism that moves the mirror to scan the image across the linear detector.

摘要翻译： 目前，电子成像相机使用昂贵的阵列光电探测器代替廉价的线性光电探测器，因为它们不能在其曝光时间内在整个图像上扫描线性检测器，并且因为线性光电探测器不能捕获足够的光子以产生高质量的图像。 描述了一种图像拍摄系统，其具有在成像平面上形成图像的透镜，安装成排除平移运动的线性检测器，用于将图像偏转到线性检测器的平面的镜子，以及将镜子移动到 通过线性检测器扫描图像。

公开(公告)号：US5621545A

公开(公告)日：1997-04-15

申请号：US163953

申请日：1993-12-08

申请人： Ricardo J. Motta ,  Gary J. Dispoto

发明人： Ricardo J. Motta ,  Gary J. Dispoto

IPC分类号： G06F3/12 ,  G06T1/00 ,  G06T5/00 ,  H04N1/52 ,  H04N1/64 ,  H04N1/40 ,  G03F3/08 ,  H04N1/46

CPC分类号： H04N1/52 ,  H04N1/644

摘要： A color printing system includes a discrete CMY color printer, a LAB color error diffuser, and a LAB/CMY converter. The diffuser includes an image compensator, a vector color space reverter, an error calculator, and an error diffuser. The vector color space reverter provides for error diffusion in a LAB color space that is different from the CMY color space of the printer. The perceptual linearity of the LAB color space provides for enhanced color fidelity in the printed image. In addition, color conversion and error diffusion are performed together, minimizing computational error accumulation and maximizing computational throughput.

摘要翻译： 彩色打印系统包括离散的CMY彩色打印机，LAB色差扩散器和LAB / CMY转换器。 扩散器包括图像补偿器，矢量颜色空间变换器，误差计算器和误差扩散器。 向量颜色空间转换器提供了与打印机CMY颜色空间不同的LAB颜色空间中的错误扩散。 LAB颜色空间的感知线性度提供了印刷图像中增强的色彩保真度。 此外，一起执行颜色转换和误差扩散，最小化计算误差累积和最大化计算吞吐量。