公开(公告)号：US20250030941A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-23

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：US20240297851A1

公开(公告)日：2024-09-05

申请号：US18177616

申请日：2023-03-02

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Kevin Johnson

IPC: H04L47/431 ,  H04N7/04 ,  H04N25/47

CPC classification number: H04L47/431 ,  H04N7/04 ,  H04N25/47

Abstract: Methods for transmitting asynchronous event data via synchronous communications interfaces (and associated imaging systems) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager comprises an array of event vision pixels, and a synchronous communications transmitter configured to transmit frames of data to a synchronous communications receiver. The pixels generate event data based on activity within an external scene. The imager communicates, at a first time and to the receiver, an anticipated amount of data that will be included in a frame transmitted to the receiver at a second time. The anticipated amount of data can be based on a prediction of an amount of event data that will be generated at a future point in time for transmission to the receiver in the frame. The imager can then transmit the frame to the receiver at the second time with an amount of data corresponding to the anticipated amount of data.

公开(公告)号：US11991465B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-21

申请号：US17815526

申请日：2022-07-27

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Shoushun Chen

IPC: H04N25/709 ,  H04N25/50 ,  H04N25/74 ,  H04N25/778

CPC classification number: H04N25/709 ,  H04N25/50 ,  H04N25/74 ,  H04N25/778

Abstract: Low power event driven pixels with passive, differential difference detection circuitry (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, and a difference circuit. The difference circuit includes (a) a first circuit branch configured to sample a reference light level based on a voltage output by the photocurrent-to-voltage converter, and to output a first analog light level onto a first column line that is based on the reference light level; and (b) a second circuit branch configured to sample a light level based on the voltage, and to output a second analog light level onto a second column line that is based on the light level. A difference between the second analog light level and the first analog light level indicates whether the event driven pixel has detected an event in an external scene.

公开(公告)号：US20240073556A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-29

申请号：US18451754

申请日：2023-08-17

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Tomas Geurts

IPC: H04N25/67 ,  H04N25/616 ,  H04N25/706 ,  H04N25/709 ,  H04N25/76 ,  H04N25/78

CPC classification number: H04N25/67 ,  H04N25/616 ,  H04N25/706 ,  H04N25/709 ,  H04N25/7795 ,  H04N25/78

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：US20220239840A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-28

申请号：US17576816

申请日：2022-01-14

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Victor Lenchenkov ,  Andreas Suess

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  H04N9/04 ,  G02B5/18 ,  G02B7/28 ,  G02B5/20 ,  H01L27/146

Abstract: An image sensor has diffractive microlenses over pixels with central structures and ring(s) of material having index of refraction different from that of background material. Disposed beneath the diffractive microlenses are photodiodes that permit determining ratios of illumination of peripheral photodiodes to illumination of central photodiodes of the pixels, and, in embodiments, circuitry for determining said ratio. In embodiments, the ratio is used to find illumination wavelengths; and in other embodiments the ratio is used to determine focus of an imaging lens providing illumination. A method determines color by passing light through a diffractive lens disposed above photodiodes of the diffractive pixel and determining color from illumination peripheral and central photodiodes. An autofocus method of determining focus includes passing light through a diffractive lens and determining focus from illumination of peripheral photodiodes and central photodiodes of the pixel. In embodiments, the central structures are disks and rings are round.

公开(公告)号：US20240188841A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-13

申请号：US18076740

申请日：2022-12-07

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Paul Wickboldt ,  Andreas Suess

IPC: A61B5/0295 ,  A61B5/00 ,  A61B5/021

CPC classification number: A61B5/0295 ,  A61B5/0031 ,  A61B5/02125

Abstract: A device has a first and second PPD sensor configured for placement over an artery; a camera between the first and second PPD sensors; and a processor having memory with firmware for determining pulse transit time (PTT) between the PPD sensors, and determines blood pressure (BP) therefrom using a calibrated conversion from PTT to BP. The firmware also obtains initial and subsequent images of the artery, extracts features, and adjusts calibrated conversion from PTT to BP based upon features extracted from the initial and subsequent images of the artery. In embodiments the processor enhances the initial and subsequent images of the artery using a structured light tomographic enhancement process. A method uses first and second PPD sensors placed over an artery to determine pulse transit time; obtains initial and subsequent images of the artery with a camera; and uses features extracted from the initial and subsequent images of the artery to adjust a calibrated conversion from PTT to BP.

公开(公告)号：US20230047774A1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-16

申请号：US17402297

申请日：2021-08-13

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Shoushun Chen ,  Menghan Guo ,  Andreas Suess

IPC: H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An event sensing system includes a pixel array including a plurality of event driven pixel circuits configured to be illuminated by incident light. The event driven pixel circuits are configured to generate an event current in response to a detection of an event in the incident light. Output signals of a row of the pixel array are configured to be read out from the row of the pixel array to a line buffer in response to the detection of the event in the incident light. A random number generator is configured to randomly generate a filtering mask. A mask circuit is the output signals of the row of the pixel array from the line buffer and the filtering mask from the random number generator to filter the output signals of the row of the pixel array in response to the filtering mask.

公开(公告)号：US11563909B1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-24

申请号：US17402297

申请日：2021-08-13

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Shoushun Chen ,  Menghan Guo ,  Andreas Suess

IPC: H04N5/345 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An event sensing system includes a pixel array including a plurality of event driven pixel circuits configured to be illuminated by incident light. The event driven pixel circuits are configured to generate an event current in response to a detection of an event in the incident light. Output signals of a row of the pixel array are configured to be read out from the row of the pixel array to a line buffer in response to the detection of the event in the incident light. A random number generator is configured to randomly generate a filtering mask. A mask circuit is the output signals of the row of the pixel array from the line buffer and the filtering mask from the random number generator to filter the output signals of the row of the pixel array in response to the filtering mask.

公开(公告)号：US12294802B2

公开(公告)日：2025-05-06

申请号：US17875244

申请日：2022-07-27

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Shoushun Chen

IPC: H04N25/771 ,  H03F3/16 ,  H04N25/42 ,  H04N25/709 ,  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：US20240357257A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-24

申请号：US18764009

申请日：2024-07-03

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andreas Suess ,  Zheng Yang

IPC: H04N25/771 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S17/894 ,  H04N25/705 ,  H04N25/75

CPC classification number: H04N25/771 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S17/894 ,  H04N25/705 ,  H04N25/75

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.