公开(公告)号：US12238415B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-25

申请号：US18356316

申请日：2023-07-21

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Boyd Fowler ,  Devang Patel ,  Eiichi Funatsu ,  Andreas Suess ,  Kevin Johnson

IPC: H04N23/66 ,  H04N23/50 ,  H04N23/667 ,  H04N23/80

Abstract: An image sensor comprises: a control block generating a video interface enabled signal, a video interface for receiving the video interface enabled signal, a pixel array for providing a video stream to the video interface, an output port for receiving the video stream from the video interface and outputting the video stream to outside of the image sensor, a stream indicator pin for receiving the video interface enabled signal from the control block when the video interface is receiving the video interface enabled signal from the control block, where a terminal of the video interface receiving the video interface enabled signal is connected to the stream indicator pin by a conductor, and they are sealed in a package of the image sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20240418836A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-19

申请号：US17512988

申请日：2021-10-28

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Zheng Yang ,  Andreas Suess

IPC: G01S7/4863 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S17/26 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N25/771

Abstract: A time-of-flight pixel array includes first transistors to transfer a first phase portion of charge from photodiodes responsive to reflected modulated light during a first subframe, and a second phase portion of the charge during a second subframe. The second phase is an inverted first phase. Second transistors transfer the second phase portion of the charge during the first subframe, and the first phase portion of the charge during the second subframe. Third transistors transfer a third phase portion of the charge during the first subframe, and a fourth phase portion of the charge during the second subframe. The fourth phase is an inverted third phase. The third phase is ninety degrees out of phase with the first phase. Fourth transistors transfer the fourth phase portion of the charge during the first subframe, and the third phase portion of the charge during the second subframe.

公开(公告)号：US11985437B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-14

申请号：US17517971

申请日：2021-11-03

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Zheng Yang

IPC: H04N25/46 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/894 ,  H04N25/44 ,  H04N25/441 ,  H04N25/705 ,  H04N25/75

CPC classification number: H04N25/46 ,  G01S7/4816 ,  G01S17/894 ,  H04N25/44 ,  H04N25/441 ,  H04N25/705 ,  H04N25/75

Abstract: A time-of-flight pixel array includes photodiodes that generate charge in response to incident reflected modulated light. First transfer transistors transfer a first portion of the charge from the photodiodes in response to a first modulation signal and second transfer transistors transfer a second portion of the charge from the photodiodes in response to a second modulation signal, which is an inverted first modulation signal. First floating diffusions are coupled to the first transfer transistors. A binning transistor is coupled between one of the first floating diffusions and another one of the first floating diffusions. A first memory node is coupled to one of the first floating diffusions through a first sample and hold transistor and a second memory node is coupled to another one of the first floating diffusions through a second sample and hold transistor.

公开(公告)号：US20240144706A1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-02

申请号：US17976648

申请日：2022-10-28

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Bo Mu

IPC: H04N17/00 ,  G06V10/25 ,  G06V20/59 ,  G06V20/70 ,  G06V40/18

CPC classification number: H04N17/002 ,  G06V10/25 ,  G06V20/597 ,  G06V20/70 ,  G06V40/18 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided. A signal processing unit of the image sensor is configured with executable instructions that cause the signal processing unit to perform actions comprising: reading a captured scene from a pixel array; reading a value from a test initiation register; in response to determining that the value indicates a test mode: processing the captured scene to detect a region of interest associated with the value; and providing the region of interest to a first interface for transmission to a host device; and in response to determining that the value does not indicate the test mode: analyzing the captured scene using a computer vision technique to selectively generate a signal based on the analysis of the captured scene; and selectively providing the signal to a second interface for transmission to the host device.

公开(公告)号：US20240073557A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-29

申请号：US18451764

申请日：2023-08-17

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Tomas Geurts

IPC: H04N25/671 ,  H04N25/616

CPC classification number: H04N25/671 ,  H04N25/616

Abstract: Fixed pattern noise (FPN) reduction techniques in image sensors operated with pulse illumination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes, during a first sub-exposure period of a frame, (a) operating a first tap of a pixel to capture a first signal corresponding to first charge at a first floating diffusion, the first charge corresponding to first light incident on a photosensor, and (b) operating a second tap of the pixel to capture a first parasitic signal corresponding to FPN at a second floating diffusion. The method further includes, during a second sub-exposure period of the frame, (a) operating the second tap to capture a second signal corresponding to second charge at the second floating diffusion, the second charge corresponding to second light incident on the photosensor, and (b) operating the first tap to capture a second parasitic signal corresponding to FPN at the first floating diffusion.

公开(公告)号：US20240040283A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-01

申请号：US17875244

申请日：2022-07-27

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Shoushun Chen

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H03F3/16 ,  H04N5/343 ,  H04N5/369

CPC classification number: H04N5/37452 ,  H03F3/16 ,  H04N5/343 ,  H04N5/3698 ,  H03K19/20

Abstract: Low power event driven pixels and reset control circuits for the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an event driven pixel comprises a photosensor; a photocurrent-to-voltage converter coupled to the photosensor; and a difference circuit coupled to the photocurrent-to-voltage converter. The difference circuit includes a source follower transistor and is configured to generate a signal at a gate of the source follower transistor that is based on a voltage output from the photocurrent-to-voltage converter. The difference circuit is further configured to output a difference signal in response to assertion of a row select signal. The event driven pixel can further include a reset control circuit coupled to the difference circuit and configured to initialize the difference circuit, and to reset the difference circuit when the difference signal output from the event driven pixel indicates a change in the voltage greater than a threshold amount.

公开(公告)号：US20230224603A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-13

申请号：US17869552

申请日：2022-07-20

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Boyd Fowler ,  Andreas Suess

IPC: H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  G06F17/12

CPC classification number: H04N5/3651 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  G06F17/12

Abstract: A method for estimating a signal charge collected by a pixel of an image sensor includes determining an average bias that depends on the pixel's floating-diffusion dark current and pixel-sampling period. The method also includes determining a signal-charge estimate as the average bias subtracted from a difference between a weighted sum of a plurality of N multiple-sampling values each multiplied by a respective one of a plurality of N sample-weights.

公开(公告)号：US20230137801A1

公开(公告)日：2023-05-04

申请号：US17513064

申请日：2021-10-28

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Zheng Yang

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/376 ,  G01S17/894 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H01L27/148

Abstract: A time-of-flight sensor includes a pixel array of pixel circuits. A first subset of the pixel circuits is illuminated by reflected modulated light from a portion of an object. A second subset of the pixel circuits is non-illuminated by the reflected modulated light. Each pixel circuit includes a floating diffusion that stores a portion of charge photogenerated in a photodiode in response to the reflected modulated light. A transfer transistor transfers the portion of charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion in response to modulation by a phase modulation signal. A modulation driver block generates the phase modulation signal and is coupled to a light source that emits the modulated light to the portion of the object. The modulation driver block synchronizes scanning the modulated light emitted by the light source across the object with scanning of the first subset of the pixel circuits across the pixel array.

公开(公告)号：US20230134910A1

公开(公告)日：2023-05-04

申请号：US17513000

申请日：2021-10-28

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Zheng Yang

IPC: G01S7/4861 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  H04N5/232

Abstract: A time-of-flight pixel circuit includes a photodiode configured to generate charge in response to modulated light reflected from an object. First and second transfer transistors are coupled to the photodiode. The first transfer transistor transfers a first portion of charge from the photodiode in response to a first modulation signal and the second transfer transistor transfers a second portion of charge from the photodiode in response to a second modulation signal. The second modulation signal is an inverted first modulation signal. A first floating diffusion is coupled to the first transfer transistor to receive the first portion of charge in response to a first modulation signal. Each one of a first plurality of sample and hold transistors is coupled between a respective one of a first plurality of memory nodes and the first transfer transistor.

公开(公告)号：US20230035088A1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-02

申请号：US17388820

申请日：2021-07-29

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Zheng Yang

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/378 ,  G01S17/894 ,  G01S7/4865

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a photodiode configured to photogenerate charge in response to reflected modulated light incident upon the photodiode. A first floating diffusion is configured to store a first portion of charge photogenerated in the photodiode. A first transfer transistor is configured to transfer the first portion of charge from the photodiode to the first floating diffusion in response to a first phase signal. A first storage node is configured to store the first portion of charge from the first floating diffusion. A first decoupling circuit has a first output responsive to a first input. The first input is coupled to the first floating diffusion and the first output is coupled to first storage node. A voltage swing at the first output is greater than a voltage swing at the first input.