Pixel size reduction method for event driven sensors
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsNikolai E. Bock, Emanuele Mandelli, Dario Clocchiatti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one implementation, an event sensor includes a plurality of pixels, an external readout line shared among the plurality of pixels, and an external processing circuit. Each pixel is configured to output pixel data indicative of an intensity of incident illumination. The external processing circuit is configured to output a stream of pixel events. Each respective pixel event is generated when a comparator of the external processing circuit obtains a sample of pixel data from a particular pixel via the external readout line that breaches a threshold value.
Claims20
An event sensor comprising:
- a plurality of pixels, each pixel configured to output pixel data, wherein, in a first state, the pixel data provides a differential value of the intensity of incident illumination and, in a second state, the pixel data provides an absolute value of the intensity of the incident illumination;
- an external readout line shared among the plurality of pixels;
- and
- an external processing circuit configured to output a stream of pixel events, each respective pixel event generated when a comparator of the external processing circuit obtains a sample of pixel data from a particular pixel via the external readout line that breaches a threshold value.
A pixel comprising:
- a photodetector circuit configured to generate, at a sample node, pixel data, wherein, in a first state, the pixel data provides a differential value of the intensity of incident illumination and, in a second state, the pixel data provides an absolute value of the intensity of the incident illumination;
- an output node coupled to an external processing circuit via an external readout line shared among a plurality of pixels, the external processing circuit configured to output a stream of pixel events, each respective pixel event generated when a comparator of the external processing circuit obtains a sample of pixel data from a particular pixel via the external readout line that breaches a threshold value;
- and
- a readout switch intervening between the photodetector circuit and the output node that is configured to isolate the sample node from the output node until a selection signal is received from a controller of the external processing circuit.
An event sensor comprising:
- an external readout line shared among a plurality of pixels, each pixel configured to output pixel data, wherein, in a first state, the pixel data provides a differential value of the intensity of incident illumination and, in a second state, the pixel data provides an absolute value of the intensity of the incident illumination;
- and
- an external processing circuit configured to output a stream of pixel events, each respective pixel event generated when a comparator of the external processing circuit obtains a sample of pixel data from a particular pixel via the external readout line that breaches a threshold value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.