Image sensor with flexible pixel summing
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorXiaofeng Fan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image sensor can include pixels that are grouped into subsets of pixels, with each subset including three or more pixels. A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging can include capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for all of the pixels. In a subset of pixels, charge in N pixels is read out and summed together. N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset. Un-summed charge is read out from one pixel in the subset. The un-summed charge and the summed charge are combined when producing a high dynamic range image.
Claims20
A method for performing flexible pixel summing in an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels grouped into subsets of pixels with each subset of pixels including three or more pixels operably connected to a separate common node, the method comprising:
- in a subset of pixels, selecting, in real time and based on one or more criterion, N pixels to include in a summing operation, where N represents a number that is between two and a total number of pixels in the subset of pixels;
- summing charge in the N pixels together by transferring the charge from the N pixels to the common node;
- and
- reading out the summed charge from the common node.
A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging using an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are grouped into subsets of pixels and each subset includes three or more pixels, the method comprising:
- capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for the plurality of pixels;
- and
- in a subset of pixels, reading out charge from N pixels selected from the subset and summing the charge together, wherein selection is based, at least in part, on one or more criterion and wherein N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset of pixels;
- reading out un-summed charge from one pixel in the subset of pixels;
- and
- combining the un-summed charge with the summed charge when producing a high dynamic range image.
A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging using an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels grouped into subsets of pixels and each subset includes three or more pixels operably connected to a separate common node, the method comprising:
- capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for the plurality of pixels;
- and
- in a subset of pixels, summing charge in N pixels together by transferring the charge from the N pixels to the common node, wherein the N pixels are selected in real time based, at least in part, on one or more criterion and wherein N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset of pixels;
- reading out the summed charge from the common node;
- reading out un-summed charge from one pixel in the subset of pixels;
- and
- combining the un-summed charge with the summed charge when producing a high dynamic range image.
An image sensor, comprising:
- an imaging area that includes a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are grouped into subsets of pixels with each subset including three or more pixels operably connected to a separate common node;
- and
- a processor for selecting N pixels to include in a summing operation, the pixels being selected in real time and based, at least in part, on one or more criterion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.