公开(公告)号：US06580454B1

公开(公告)日：2003-06-17

申请号：US09195588

申请日：1998-11-18

Applicant: Frederick A. Perner ,  Charles M. C. Tan

Inventor： Frederick A. Perner ,  Charles M. C. Tan

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N5/3535 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35509 ,  H04N5/37455

Abstract: A system and a method for imaging a scene of interest utilize variable exposure periods that have durations based upon detecting a fixed voltage drop in order to determine the scene segment radiance. The rate of voltage drop corresponds to the degree of scene segment radiance, such that high radiant scene segments yield faster voltage drops than lower radiant scene segments. The variable exposure period is determined within each pixel in a pixel array of the system to gather exposure periods from different segments of the scene being imaged. The measured exposure periods are translated into grayscale information that can be used to generate a composite image having various levels of grayscale that is representative of the imaged scene. Each pixel includes a photo sensor, an analog-to-digital converter and a memory to measure, digitize and store the exposure period. The memory contains a number of memory cells having a three-transistor configuration that are each connected to a bi-directional bit line. The bi-directional bit line functions as both a read bit line and a write bit line. The three-transistor configuration allows for non-destructive read-outs of data stored in the memory cells.

Abstract translation: 用于对感兴趣场景进行成像的系统和方法利用具有基于检测固定电压降的持续时间的可变曝光周期，以便确定场景段辐射度。 电压降的速率对应于场景段辐射度，使得高辐射场景段比较低的辐射场景段产生更快的电压降。 在系统的像素阵列中的每个像素内确定可变曝光周期，以从被成像的场景的不同片段收集曝光周期。 测量的曝光周期被转换成灰度信息，其可用于生成具有代表成像场景的各种灰度等级的合成图像。 每个像素包括光传感器，模数转换器和用于测量，数字化和存储曝光周期的存储器。 存储器包含多个具有三晶体管配置的存储单元，每个存储单元都连接到双向位线。 双向位线用作读位线和写位线。 三晶体管配置允许存储在存储器单元中的数据的非破坏性读出。

公开(公告)号：US06577341B1

公开(公告)日：2003-06-10

申请号：US08950361

申请日：1997-10-14

Applicant: Eiji Yamada ,  Toshiaki Harada ,  Tetsuo Iwaki ,  Tohru Okuda

Inventor： Eiji Yamada ,  Toshiaki Harada ,  Tetsuo Iwaki ,  Tohru Okuda

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N9/045 ,  H04N5/349 ,  H04N2209/046

Abstract: An imaging apparatus reduces the influence of the movement of hands and of the motion of an object on a high resolution picture image. Picture image light from the object passes through an optical system and light-transmitting domains of a color filter provided at the light incident side of an imaging device. The light-transmitting domains transmit only predetermined chromatic lights of the picture image light to input to corresponding photo-receiving domains of the imaging device. The imaging device is a two-picture element mixed reading type device. In a high resolution mode, an image forming point of the picture image light is moved to two places in parallel, and the picture image light is formed at each image forming point to image the picture image light. Then, the signal processing circuit combines the two original picture image signals whose image forming points during the imaging operation are different to generate a single output picture image signal. Thereby, an equivalent imaging time in imaging a single output picture image may be shortened.

Abstract translation: 成像装置减少了手的运动和物体的运动对高分辨率图像的影响。 来自物体的图像光通过设置在成像装置的光入射侧的滤色器的光学系统和透光区域。 透光域仅传输图像光的预定彩色光，以输入到成像装置的相应的光接收区域。 成像装置是双元素混合读取型装置。 在高分辨率模式中，图像光的图像形成点平行移动到两个位置，并且在每个图像形成点处形成图像光以对图像图像进行成像。 然后，信号处理电路组合成像操作期间的图像形成点不同的两个原始图像图像信号，以生成单个输出图像图像信号。 因此，可以缩短对单个输出图像进行成像的等效成像时间。

公开(公告)号：US06573936B2

公开(公告)日：2003-06-03

申请号：US09135130

申请日：1998-08-17

Applicant: Tonia G. Morris ,  Kevin M. Connolly ,  Jean-Charles W. Korta ,  Cyrus M. Afghahi

Inventor： Tonia G. Morris ,  Kevin M. Connolly ,  Jean-Charles W. Korta ,  Cyrus M. Afghahi

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N5/335

Abstract: A single-chip digital camera system is described. In one embodiment, the single-chip digital camera system includes a sensor array including rows and columns of discrete sensor elements, corresponding analog-to-digital converters to convert analog values into digital data, a storage element coupled to the analog-to-digital converters, to store the digital data, and a plurality of arithmetic logic units coupled to the storage element, to operate on the digital data. The digital camera system also includes a switching matrix Which is coupled between the array of analog-to-digital converters and the memory element. The switching matrix spatially rotates the analog-to-digital converter outputs for storing such outputs in the memory element.

Abstract translation: 描述了单片数字照相机系统。 在一个实施例中，单芯片数字照相机系统包括包括离散传感器元件的行和列的传感器阵列，将模拟值转换为数字数据的对应的模拟 - 数字转换器，耦合到模数转换器 转换器，以存储数字数据，以及耦合到存储元件的多个算术逻辑单元，以对数字数据进行操作。 数字照相机系统还包括耦合在模数转换器阵列和存储元件之间的开关矩阵。 开关矩阵在空间上旋转用于将这种输出存储在存储元件中的模数转换器输出。

公开(公告)号：US06552745B1

公开(公告)日：2003-04-22

申请号：US09057429

申请日：1998-04-08

Applicant: Frederick A. Perner

Inventor： Frederick A. Perner

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N5/37455

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and a method of capturing and storing an image in digital form within a photosensitive area of the apparatus include integrating an array of memory cells within each pixel of the photosensitive area. Preferably, the memory cells are dual port memory cells, such that write operations can be performed in a parallel manner while reading operations are performed in a serial manner. In the preferred embodiment, each array contains a sufficient number of memory cells to store two digital words representing a photo signal and a reference signal. A comparator within each pixel operating in unison with a counter and a ramp generator captures the photo signal and the reference signal in digital form. The design of the imaging apparatus allows each pixel in the photosensitive area to capture and store the signals in a parallel manner. The parallel function of the apparatus increases the electronic shutter speed, while the integrated memory array eliminates the need for an external frame buffer memory.

Abstract translation: 在设备的感光区域内捕获和存储数字形式的图像的成像设备和方法包括在感光区域的每个像素内集成存储单元的阵列。 优选地，存储器单元是双端口存储器单元，使得可以以并行方式执行写入操作，同时以串行方式执行读取操作。 在优选实施例中，每个阵列包含足够数量的存储器单元以存储表示光信号和参考信号的两个数字字。 与计数器一致操作的每个像素内的比较器和斜坡发生器以数字形式捕获光信号和参考信号。 成像装置的设计允许光敏区域中的每个像素以并行方式捕获和存储信号。 该装置的并行功能增加了电子快门速度，而集成存储器阵列消除了对外部帧缓冲存储器的需要。

公开(公告)号：US06549234B1

公开(公告)日：2003-04-15

申请号：US09170105

申请日：1998-10-13

Applicant: Sung-Min Lee

Inventor： Sung-Min Lee

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N5/3532 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: A pixel structure with an electronic shutter function using an active pixel sensor (APS) capable of overcoming a disadvantage of conventional pixel structures using the active pixel sensor that reset the pixels not in pixel units but in line units, and thus an electronic shutter cannot be provided, includes a plurality of pixels arrayed in a lattice pattern, a row selection decoder outputting a row selection signal to each pixel, a first line counter counting a number of lines of the pixels selected by the row selection decoder, a line reset selection decoder outputting a line reset signal to each pixel, a second line counter counting a number of lines of the pixel selected by the line reset selection decoder, a column reset selection decoder outputting a column reset signal to each pixel, a first pixel counter counting a number of the pixels selected by the column reset selection decoder, a pixel reading unit reading the pixels in pixel units, and a second pixel counter counting a number of the pixels which are read by the pixel reading unit.

Abstract translation: 具有使用有源像素传感器（APS）的电子快门功能的像素结构能够使用有源像素传感器克服常规像素结构的缺点，该有源像素传感器以像素单元但是以线为单位重新设置像素，因此电子快门不能 提供了包括以格子图案排列的多个像素，向每个像素输出行选择信号的行选择解码器，对由行选择解码器选择的像素的行数进行计数的第一行计数器，行复位选择解码器 向每个像素输出行复位信号，对由行复位选择解码器选择的像素数进行计数的第二行计数器，向每个像素输出列复位信号的列复位选择解码器，对数字进行计数的第一像素计数器 由列复位选择解码器选择的像素，以像素为单位读取像素的像素读取单元和对num进行计数的第二像素计数器 由像素读取单元读取的像素。

公开(公告)号：US06538696B2

公开(公告)日：2003-03-25

申请号：US09449429

申请日：1999-11-24

Applicant: Teruo Hieda ,  Kousuke Nobuoka ,  Izumi Matsui ,  Yukinori Yamamoto

Inventor： Teruo Hieda ,  Kousuke Nobuoka ,  Izumi Matsui ,  Yukinori Yamamoto

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N9/8042 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/772 ,  H04N9/045 ,  H04N9/7921

Abstract: A CCD converts an optical image of an object formed on its image sensing surface into electrical charges, and sequentially outputs the electrical charges of all of the light receiving pixels in one scanning operation in non-interlaced form. The outputs from the CCD are converted to the digital image signals by an analog-digital converter. A camera signal processing unit processes the digital image signals, thereby generating two streams of signals; one is digital video signals SV1 which are standard digital video signals in interlaced form, and the other is signals SV2 which are not outputted as the digital video signals SV1 out of the digital image signals of all of the light receiving pixels. These two streams of signals, SV1 and SV2, are processed differently depending upon a mode selected by a switch.

Abstract translation: CCD将其图像感测表面上形成的物体的光学图像转换为电荷，并且以非隔行扫描形式在一次扫描操作中依次输出所有光接收像素的电荷。 CCD的输出通过模拟数字转换器转换为数字图像信号。 相机信号处理单元处理数字图像信号，由此产生两个信号流; 一个是作为隔行扫描形式的标准数字视频信号的数字视频信号SV1，另一个是在所有光接收像素的数字图像信号中不作为数字视频信号SV1输出的信号SV2。 根据开关选择的模式，这两个信号流SV1和SV2被不同地处理。

公开(公告)号：US06529242B1

公开(公告)日：2003-03-04

申请号：US09038888

申请日：1998-03-11

Applicant: Roger Panicacci

Inventor： Roger Panicacci

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N5/353 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: Look ahead shutter pointer used for exposure control determination. One shutter is used to remove the pixels from reset. This begins the integration process. The pixels are integrated by turning them on one by one and sampling their outputs sometime later. The amount of time between turning them on and sampling them can be varied. This can be done while the system is being used. In the preferred embodiment the time of exposure is changed at the interface between two frames to avoid problems in the image.

Abstract translation: 查看用于曝光控制确定的快门指针。 一个快门用于去除像素的复位。 这开始了整合过程。 像素通过一个接一个地进行集成，并在稍后对其输出进行采样。 打开它们并对其进行取样的时间可以有所不同。 这可以在系统使用时完成。 在优选实施例中，在两帧之间的接口处改变曝光时间，以避免图像中的问题。

公开(公告)号：US06522358B2

公开(公告)日：2003-02-18

申请号：US09769889

申请日：2001-01-25

Applicant: Hideo Kanbe

Inventor： Hideo Kanbe

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H01L27/14831

Abstract: A charge transfer device and a method of driving the charge transfer device are arranged to enable electric charge to be correctly transferred in a short time after starting. An initialization voltage is applied at the time of starting and a portion having a higher impurity concentration is formed below a channel.

Abstract translation: 电荷转移装置和驱动电荷转移装置的方法被布置成使得能够在启动后的短时间内正确地传送电荷。 在起动时施加初始化电压，在通道下方形成杂质浓度较高的部分。

公开(公告)号：US06512547B1

公开(公告)日：2003-01-28

申请号：US09441667

申请日：1999-11-17

Applicant: Takashi Miida

Inventor： Takashi Miida

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N5/35518 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14679

Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting photo signals using an imaging device, comprising steps of photo-generating holes in a well region 15 of a photo-diode by a signal light, transferring the photo-generated holes through a bulk of the well region 15 to a heavily doped buried layer 25 which is formed in the well region 15 near a source region 16 by doping that region with impurity heavier than the well region (15) of an insulated gate FET, storing the photo-generated holes in the heavily doped buried layer 25 to thereby change the threshold of the FET corresponding to the amount of the photo-generated charge, and reading the change in the threshold as the amount of signal light received by the photo-sensor.

Abstract translation: 本发明是一种使用成像装置检测光信号的方法，包括以下步骤：通过信号光在光电二极管的阱区15中产生空穴，将光产生的空穴传送通过阱区的大部分 15到重掺杂掩埋层25，其通过掺杂具有比绝缘栅FET的阱区（15）重的杂质的区域形成在阱区15附近，在绝缘栅极FET中存储光生孔 掺杂掩埋层25，从而改变对应于光生电荷量的FET的阈值，并且读取阈值的变化作为光传感器接收的信号光量。

公开(公告)号：US06509928B1

公开(公告)日：2003-01-21

申请号：US09161488

申请日：1998-09-28

Applicant: Yoshitaka Ogawa ,  Takayuki Kijima ,  Junzo Sakurai ,  Masaki Yokouchi

Inventor： Yoshitaka Ogawa ,  Takayuki Kijima ,  Junzo Sakurai ,  Masaki Yokouchi

IPC: H04N314

CPC classification number: H04N5/3728 ,  H04N5/353

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus comprising a CCD image pickup device made up of a plurality of photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed, and vertical and horizontal shift registers, and a CPU for driving and controlling the CCD image pickup device, the CPU has a driving function in a mode for performing normal transfer of electric charges for reading in the vertical shift registers of the CCD image pickup device, and a driving function in a mode for performing high-speed sweep transfer to purge out useless electric charges, and sets the pulse width and cycle of vertical transfer pulses for driving the vertical shift register to be substantially the same in the above two modes.

Abstract translation: 在包括由二维排列的多个光电二极管构成的CCD图像拾取装置以及垂直和水平移位寄存器以及用于驱动和控制CCD图像拾取装置的CPU的图像拾取装置中，CPU具有驱动 在用于执行CCD摄像装置的垂直移位寄存器中的读取电荷的正常传送的模式中的功能，以及用于执行高速扫描传送以清除无用电荷的模式的驱动功能，并且设置脉冲 用于驱动垂直移位寄存器的垂直传送脉冲的宽度和周期在上述两种模式中基本相同。