公开(公告)号：US20150146014A1

公开(公告)日：2015-05-28

申请号：US14092501

申请日：2013-11-27

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Robert A. Black ,  Jonathan Michael Stern

IPC分类号： G06T7/00

CPC分类号： G06T5/008 ,  H04N5/217 ,  H04N17/002

摘要： An imaging system may include a camera module with an image sensor having an array of image sensor pixels and one or more lenses that focus light onto the array. The system may include processing circuitry configured to mitigate flare artifacts in image data captured using the array based on at least one image flare map. The image flare map may identify a portion of the captured image data on which to perform image flare mitigation operations. The processing circuitry may perform image flare mitigation operations such as pixel value desaturation on the identified portion of the captured image data without desaturating portions of the image data that do not include flare artifacts. The flare map may be generated using a calibration system that characterizes the location, intensity, and color of all possible image flare artifacts that may be generated by the imaging system during normal imaging operations.

摘要翻译： 成像系统可以包括具有图像传感器的相机模块，该图像传感器具有图像传感器像素阵列和将光聚焦到阵列上的一个或多个透镜。 该系统可以包括处理电路，其被配置为基于至少一个图像耀斑图来减轻使用阵列捕获的图像数据中的耀斑伪像。 图像耀斑图可以识别捕获的图像数据的一部分，以进行图像闪光缓解操作。 处理电路可以对所捕获的图像数据的识别部分执行诸如像素值去饱和的图像闪光缓解操作，而不对不包括火炬伪像的图像数据的部分进行去饱和。 可以使用校准系统来生成耀斑图，所述校准系统表征在正常成像操作期间可能由成像系统产生的所有可能的图像耀斑伪像的位置，强度和颜色。

公开(公告)号：US20150056097A1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-26

申请号：US14290615

申请日：2014-05-29

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Brian Vaartstra

IPC分类号： G01N21/64 ,  G03F7/16 ,  C12Q1/68

CPC分类号： G01N21/6454

摘要： An imager may include an array of pixels formed on a substrate. A chemisorption layer such as a planar chemisorption layer may be deposited over the array of pixels. The chemisorption layer may include active sites that bond with anchoring molecules. The anchoring molecules may be bonded to the planar chemisorption layer in only localized regions each covering a respective pixel of the array of pixels. The image sensor may include a photoresist layer that covers the chemisorption layer. Openings in the photoresist layer may define the boundaries of the localized regions. The anchoring molecules may be bonded only with the chemisorption layer without bonding to the photoresist layer. The anchoring molecules may serve to bond with analyte molecules. By forming the anchoring molecules within only localized regions centered over respective pixels, spatial resolution of the imager when imaging the analyte molecules may be improved.

摘要翻译： 成像器可以包括形成在衬底上的像素阵列。 诸如平面化学吸附层的化学吸附层可以沉积在像素阵列上。 化学吸附层可以包括与锚定分子键合的活性位点。 锚定分子可以在仅覆盖像素阵列的相应像素的局部区域中结合到平面化学吸附层。 图像传感器可以包括覆盖化学吸附层的光致抗蚀剂层。 光致抗蚀剂层中的开口可以限定局部区域的边界。 锚定分子可以仅与化学吸附层结合而不与光致抗蚀剂层结合。 锚定分子可以用于与分析物分子结合。 通过在仅位于各个像素的中心的局部区域内形成锚定分子，可以改善成像分析物分子时成像器的空间分辨率。

公开(公告)号：US20150055001A1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-26

申请号：US14459068

申请日：2014-08-13

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Nikolai Bock

IPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/355

CPC分类号： H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/37452 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/37457 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： An image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels arranged in rows and columns. Each image pixel arranged along a given column may be coupled to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuitry that is capable of converting analog pixel signals into a digital floating point equivalent representation. The ADC circuitry may be configured to obtain an illumination value during an auto exposure period. The illumination value, which serves as an exponent value, can be stored as tile data in a tile column memory circuit. During actual readout, the ADC circuitry may be configured to perform mantissa conversion. During mantissa conversion, the ADC circuitry may use a reference voltage value that is adjusted based on the tile data. A mantissa value that is obtained during the mantissa conversion may then be combined with the exponent value for that tile to yield a final floating number point for that image pixel.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器可以包括以行和列排列的图像传感器像素阵列。 沿着给定列布置的每个图像像素可以耦合到能够将模拟像素信号转换成数字浮点等效表示的模数转换器（ADC）电路。 ADC电路可以被配置为在自动曝光期间获得照明值。 作为指数值的照明值可以作为瓦片数据存储在瓦片列存储器电路中。 在实际读出期间，ADC电路可以被配置为执行尾数转换。 在尾数转换期间，ADC电路可以使用基于瓦片数据进行调整的参考电压值。 然后可以将在尾数转换期间获得的尾数值与该瓦片的指数值组合，以产生该图像像素的最终浮点数。

公开(公告)号：US20150054973A1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-26

申请号：US14460966

申请日：2014-08-15

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Sergey Velichko

IPC分类号： H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/351

CPC分类号： H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/3559 ,  H04N5/37452 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： An imaging system may include an array of image pixels arranged in rows and columns that includes first and second pixels in two different columns and a common row. A first column readout circuit may control the first pixel to exhibit a first gain and a second column readout circuit may control the second pixel to exhibit a second gain. The first and second readout circuits may determine whether to adjust the gain of the first and second pixels based on image signals that are captured by the first and second pixels. For example, the first readout circuit may selectively activate a dual conversion gain transistor in the first pixel based on an image signal received from the first pixel and the second readout circuit may independently and selectively activate a dual conversion gain transistor in the second pixel based on an image signal received from the second pixel.

摘要翻译： 成像系统可以包括排列成行和列的图像像素阵列，其包括两个不同列中的第一和第二像素以及公共行。 第一列读出电路可以控制第一像素呈现第一增益，第二列读出电路可以控制第二像素呈现第二增益。 第一和第二读出电路可以基于由第一和第二像素捕获的图像信号来确定是否调整第一和第二像素的增益。 例如，第一读出电路可以基于从第一像素接收的图像信号来选择性地激活第一像素中的双转换增益晶体管，并且第二读出电路可以基于第二像素单独地和选择性地激活第二像素中的双转换增益晶体管 从第二像素接收的图像信号。

公开(公告)号：US20140313375A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-23

申请号：US14011369

申请日：2013-08-27

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Marko Mlinar

IPC分类号： H04N5/365

CPC分类号： H01L27/14685 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H04N5/3572 ,  H04N5/3651 ,  H04N5/367 ,  H04N9/045

摘要： An imaging system may include image sensor pixels, converter circuitry, denoising circuitry, dark current subtraction circuitry, and storage and processing circuitry. The image sensor pixels may generate analog image signals and the converter circuitry may convert the analog image signals into digital pixel values. The denoising circuitry may generate denoised pixel values based on the digital pixel values. The dark current subtraction circuitry may subtract a dark current value from the denoised pixel values. The image sensor pixels and converter circuitry may generate pixel values in multiple color channels. The image sensor pixels may include clear color filter elements for generating clear pixel values. The storage and processing circuitry may determine different black pedestal values for each color channel and may add the black pedestal values to the pixel values from the corresponding color channel to mitigate pixel value clipping in a final image generated by the imaging system.

摘要翻译： 成像系统可以包括图像传感器像素，转换器电路，去噪电路，暗电流减法电路以及存储和处理电路。 图像传感器像素可以产生模拟图像信号，并且转换器电路可以将模拟图像信号转换成数字像素值。 去噪电路可以基于数字像素值产生去噪像素值。 暗电流减法电路可以从去噪像素值中减去暗电流值。 图像传感器像素和转换器电路可以在多个颜色通道中生成像素值。 图像传感器像素可以包括用于产生清晰像素值的透明滤色器元件。 存储和处理电路可以为每个颜色通道确定不同的黑底座值，并且可以将黑色基座值添加到来自相应颜色通道的像素值，以减轻由成像系统产生的最终图像中的像素值限幅。

公开(公告)号：US20140313350A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-23

申请号：US13971712

申请日：2013-08-20

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Brian Keelan

IPC分类号： H04N5/238 ,  H04N9/04 ,  H04N9/64 ,  H04N5/217

CPC分类号： H01L27/14685 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H04N5/3572 ,  H04N5/3651 ,  H04N5/367 ,  H04N9/045

摘要： Imaging devices may include processing circuitry, a lens, and an array of image sensor pixels and reference pixels. The array may receive direct image light and stray light from the lens. The image sensor pixels may include clear color filter elements and the reference pixels may include opaque color filter elements. The opaque color filter elements may block direct image light from being captured by the reference pixels. The image sensor pixels may generate pixel values in response to the direct image light and the stray light whereas the reference pixels may generate reference pixel values in response to the stray light. The processing circuitry may mitigate stray light effects such as local flare and veiling glare within the imaging system by adjusting the pixel values based on the reference pixel values. The imaging system may be calibrated in a calibration system for generating stray light calibration data.

摘要翻译： 成像设备可以包括处理电路，透镜和图像传感器像素和参考像素的阵列。 该阵列可以接收来自透镜的直接图像光和杂散光。 图像传感器像素可以包括清晰的滤色器元件，并且参考像素可以包括不透明滤色器元件。 不透明滤色器元件可以阻止直接图像光被参考像素捕获。 图像传感器像素可以响应于直接图像光和杂散光而产生像素值，而参考像素可以响应于杂散光而生成参考像素值。 处理电路可以通过基于参考像素值调整像素值来减轻成像系统内的杂散光效应，例如局部耀斑和遮光眩光。 成像系统可以在用于产生杂散光校准数据的校准系统中校准。

公开(公告)号：US20140247380A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-04

申请号：US14189687

申请日：2014-02-25

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Jaroslav Hynecek

IPC分类号： H04N5/359

CPC分类号： H01L27/1461 ,  H01L27/14612 ,  H01L27/14654

摘要： Pixels for solid-state CMOS image sensor arrays may be provided that have a lateral blooming control structure incorporated in them. The lateral blooming control structure is built as a separate structure from the charge transfer gate and it is fabricated in a self-aligned manner, which is particularly suitable for incorporating into small size pixels. The blooming control structure can be used for backside or for front side illuminated image sensors. When the lateral blooming control structure is provided with a separate bias means, it may also be used for the complete or partial charge removal from the photodiode and thus used in pixels that are designed for global shutter operation.

摘要翻译： 可以提供固态CMOS图像传感器阵列的像素，其具有并入其中的侧向开花控制结构。 横向开花控制结构被构建为与电荷转移栅极分离的结构，并且以自对准的方式制造，其特别适合于并入小尺寸像素。 开放控制结构可用于背面或前侧照明图像传感器。 当横向开花控制结构设置有单独的偏置装置时，其也可用于从光电二极管完全或部分电荷移除，并因此用于设计用于全局快门操作的像素。

公开(公告)号：US20140078364A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-20

申请号：US13852524

申请日：2013-03-28

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Dongsoo Kim

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： Electronic devices may include image sensors having image pixel arrays with image pixels arranged in pixel rows and pixel columns. Each pixel column may be coupled to column readout circuitry through column randomizing circuitry. The column readout circuitry may include a column circuit associated with each pixel column and at least one reserve column circuit. The column randomizing circuitry may randomize the distribution of image signals from the pixel columns to the column readout circuitry. The column randomizing circuitry may distribute the randomized image signals from at least one of the pixel columns to a reserve column circuit when any of the column circuits associated with the pixel columns has failed. The column randomizing circuitry may include an output column line for each column circuit and first and second transistors coupled in parallel to each output column line.

摘要翻译： 电子设备可以包括具有图像像素阵列的图像传感器，图像像素排列成像素行和像素列。 每个像素列可以通过列随机化电路耦合到列读出电路。 列读出电路可以包括与每个像素列和至少一个备用列电路相关联的列电路。 列随机化电路可以将来自像素列的图像信号的分布随机化到列读出电路。 当与像素列相关联的任何列电路发生故障时，列随机化电路可以将随机化图像信号从至少一个像素列分配到预留列电路。 列随机化电路可以包括用于每个列电路的输出列线和与每个输出列线并联耦合的第一和第二晶体管。

公开(公告)号：US20130329921A1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-12

申请号：US13906982

申请日：2013-05-31

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Kenneth Edward Salsman

IPC分类号： H04S7/00

CPC分类号： H04S7/303 ,  H04R2499/13

摘要： An acoustic system may be provided that includes image sensors and speakers. The system may include control circuitry that operates the speakers based on images captured by the image sensors. The control circuitry may operate the image sensors to capture images of users of the system in the listening environment, extract user attributes of the users from the captured images, and control the volume and phase of sounds generated by each of the speakers based on the extracted user attributes. The user attributes may include a location, a motion, a head height, a head tilt angle, a head rotational angle, the position of each ear of a user or other attributes of each user of the system. The control circuitry may operate the speakers to optimize the acoustic experience of each user by generating sounds based on the user attributes of that user.

摘要翻译： 可以提供包括图像传感器和扬声器的声学系统。 该系统可以包括基于由图像传感器捕获的图像来操作扬声器的控制电路。 控制电路可以操作图像传感器以在收听环境中捕获系统的用户的图像，从捕获的图像中提取用户的用户属性，并且基于提取的每个扬声器来控制由每个扬声器产生的声音的音量和相位 用户属性。 用户属性可以包括位置，运动，头部高度，头部倾斜角度，头部旋转角度，用户的每个耳朵的位置或系统的每个用户的其他属性。 控制电路可以操作扬声器，以通过基于该用户的用户属性生成声音来优化每个用户的声学体验。

公开(公告)号：US20130308036A1

公开(公告)日：2013-11-21

申请号：US13870387

申请日：2013-04-25

申请人： Aptina Imaging Corporation

发明人： Honghong Peng

IPC分类号： H04N5/232

CPC分类号： H04N5/23212 ,  H04N5/2258

摘要： Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors and adjustable lens systems. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels and processing circuitry. The adjustable lens system may pass light from a scene onto the image pixels at a number of focus positions. The image pixels may capture a focus bracket of image frames at a capture frame rate for light passed by the adjustable lens system at two or more of the focus positions. The processing circuitry may combine a set of image frames in the focus bracket to generate a focused image. The focused image may have one or more portions of the captured scene in focus. The processing circuitry may output the focused image to off-chip image processing circuitry at an output frame rate that is less than the capture frame rate.

摘要翻译： 成像系统可以设置有堆叠芯片图像传感器和可调透镜系统。 堆叠芯片图像传感器可以包括包括图像像素阵列和处理电路的垂直芯片堆叠。 可调透镜系统可以将光从场景传递到多个焦点位置处的图像像素上。 图像像素可以以在两个或多个聚焦位置处通过可调透镜系统的光的捕获帧速率捕获图像帧的焦点括号。 处理电路可以组合焦点支架中的一组图像帧以产生聚焦图像。 聚焦图像可以具有焦点中捕获的场景的一个或多个部分。 处理电路可以以小于捕获帧速率的输出帧速率将聚焦图像输出到片外图像处理电路。