Method and apparatus to extend the effective dynamic range of an image sensing device
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsAndrew C. Gallagher, David N. Nichols
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image sensor generates an image signal with a differential response to image light. The image sensor has an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites. A limiter provides the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure. The standard photosites and nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample the array in a predetermined pattern.
Claims52
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure;
- wherein said standard photosites and said nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample said array in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- wherein said array of photosites is divided into unequal numbers of standard photosites and non-standard photosites.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure;
- wherein said standard photosites and said nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample said away in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- wherein said standard photosites and said non-standard photosites are of the same uniform size.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- a color filter away comprised of a plurality of colors overlying the photosites, said standard photosites being associated with each of the colors of the array, said non-standard photosites being associated with less than all of the colors of the array;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure;
- wherein said standard photosites and said nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample said away in a predetermined pattern.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure;
- wherein said standard photosites and said nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample said away in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- wherein said limiter is a structural element overlying the photosites.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into two types:
- standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure;
- and
- a color filter array comprised of two or more colors overlying the photosites, said standard and non-standard photosites being associated with each of the colors of the array;
- wherein said types of photosite and colors of said color filter array together define a repeating pattern having a repeating unit of at least four by four pixels;
- and
- wherein said standard photosites and said non-standard photosites are of the same uniform size.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into two types:
- standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure;
- and
- a color filter array comprised of two or more colors overlying the photosites, said standard and non-standard photosites being associated with each of the colors of the array;
- wherein said types of photosite and colors of said color filter array together define a repeating pattern having a repeating unit of at least four by four pixels;
- and
- wherein said limiter is a structural element overlying the photosites.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into two types:
- standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure;
- and
- a color filter array comprised of two or more colors overlying the photosites, said standard and non-standard photosites being associated with each of the colors of the array;
- wherein said types of photosite and colors of said color filter array together define a repeating pattern having a repeating unit of at least four by four pixels;
- and
- wherein said away of photosites is divided into unequal numbers of standard photosites and non-standard photosites.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into two types:
- standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure;
- and
- a color filter array comprised of a plurality of colors overlying the photosites, said standard photosites being associated with each of the colors of the array, said non-standard photosites being associated with less than all of the colors of the array.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure;
- wherein said standard photosites and said nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample said array in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- wherein said limiter comprises a device that uses different drive voltages to control exposure time and/or gain of said standard photosites and said non-standard photosites.
An image sensor for generating an image signal with a differential response to image light, said image sensor comprising:
- an array of photosites divided into two types:
- standard photosites and non-standard photosites;
- and
- a limiter providing the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure;
- and
- a color filter array comprised of two or more colors overlying the photosites, said standard and non-standard photosites being associated with each of the colors of the array;
- wherein said types of photosite and colors of said color filter array together define a repeating pattern having a repeating unit of at least four by four pixels;
- and
- wherein said limiter comprises a device that uses different drive voltages to control exposure time and/or gain of said standard photosites and said non-standard photosites.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.