Imaging system for generating high dynamic range image

A method of operating an image system comprising an image sensor comprising a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel, and configured to generate an image data, the method comprising:

• obtaining an illumination and a dynamic range, based on the image data;
• determining an operation mode based on the obtained illumination and the obtained dynamic range;
• and
• changing an exposure time of at least one of the first to third sub-pixels based on a change in the operation mode;
• wherein, when the operation mode is a first mode, the exposure time of the first sub-pixel is a first exposure time, the exposure time of the second sub-pixel is a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time, and the exposure time of the third sub-pixel is a third exposure time shorter than the second exposure time, and
• wherein, when the operation mode is a second mode, the exposure time of each of the first to third sub-pixels is the third exposure time.

An imaging system comprising:

• an image sensor comprising:
• a pixel array comprising:
• a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel and a fourth sub-pixel sharing a first floating diffusion area;
• and
• a converting circuit configured to obtain current image data, based on signals that are output from the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to:
• obtain an illumination and a dynamic range corresponding to the obtained current image data;
• perform high dynamic range (HDR) processing on next image data that is obtained after the obtained current image data, based on the obtained illumination and the obtained dynamic range;
• determine an operating mode of the image sensor, among a first mode and a second mode, based on the obtained illumination and the obtained dynamic range;
• in the first mode, control an exposure time of the first sub-pixel to be set to a first exposure time, control an exposure time of the second sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel to be set to a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time, control an exposure time of the fourth sub-pixel to be set to a third exposure time shorter than the second exposure time;
• and
• in the second mode, control the exposure time of the first to third sub-pixels, to be set to the third exposure time.