公开(公告)号：US20020051067A1

公开(公告)日：2002-05-02

申请号：US09932822

申请日：2001-08-17

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Ltd.

Inventor： Robert Henderson ,  Stewart Gresty Smith ,  Jonathan Ephriam David Hurwitz

IPC: H04N003/14

CPC classification number: H04N5/3658 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: Solid state image sensors, and methods of operation thereof, includes an array of photosensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns and in which pixel data signals are read out from the pixels via column circuits, which introduces column fixed pattern noise to the signals. The signals are selectively inverted at the inputs to the column circuits and the inversion is reversed following output from the column circuits. Each column circuit may include an analog-to-digital converter and a digital inverter for inverting digital output therefrom. The selective inversion may be applied to alternate rows or groups of rows of the pixel data, and may be applied differently to different frames of the pixel data. These techniques result in column fixed pattern noise being modulated in a manner which makes the noise less apparent to the eye, and which facilitates subsequent cancellation of the noise.

Abstract translation: 固态图像传感器及其操作方法包括以列和列排列的光敏像素的阵列，其中通过列电路从像素读出像素数据信号，该列电路将列固定图案噪声引入信号。 这些信号在列电路的输入端被选择性地反相，并且在从列电路输出之后反转反转。 每列电路可以包括模数转换器和用于反转数字输出的数字反相器。 选择性反转可以应用于像素数据的行的交替行或组，并且可以不同地应用于像素数据的不同帧。 这些技术导致列固定模式噪声以使噪声对眼睛不太明显的方式进行调制，并且有助于随后的噪声消除。

公开(公告)号：US20020097328A1

公开(公告)日：2002-07-25

申请号：US09939517

申请日：2001-08-24

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Ltd.

Inventor： Robert Henderson ,  Stewart Gresty Smith ,  Jonathan Ephriam David Hurwitz ,  Andrew Murray

IPC: H04N005/235

CPC classification number: H04N5/2357 ,  H04N5/235 ,  Y10S348/91

Abstract: Lighting flicker in the output of a video imaging device is detected. The video imaging device has a main picture area divided into pixels for producing successive images at a frame rate. A series of signals are produced from at least one additional picture area adjacent the main picture area, with the additional picture area having a size substantially larger than a pixel. Each of the signals is a function of light incident on the additional picture area in a time period substantially shorter than that of the frame rate. A predetermined number of the signals are accumulated to form a series of compound samples, and the compound samples are filtered to detect components indicating the lighting flicker. The filtering is performed using a bandpass filter tuned to the nominal flicker frequency. The compound samples are formed at a sample rate which is a multiple of the nominal flicker frequency, and the filtering is performed by taking the fundamental output component of a radix-N butterfly.

Abstract translation: 检测出影像成像装置的输出中的照明闪烁。 视频成像装置具有划分为像素的主图像区域，用于以帧速率产生连续的图像。 从与主图像区域相邻的至少一个附加图像区域产生一系列信号，其中附加图像区域的尺寸基本上大于像素。 每个信号是在比帧速率短的时间周期内入射到附加图像区域上的光的函数。 累积预定数量的信号以形成一系列化合物样品，并且过滤化合物样品以检测指示照明闪烁的组分。 使用调谐到标称闪烁频率的带通滤波器来执行滤波。 复合样本以标称闪烁频率的倍数的采样率形成，并且通过获取基数N蝶形的基本输出分量来执行滤波。