Aptina Imaging Corporation

Micron Technology Incorporated

Charles Myers

Jeffery S Beck

Christopher D Silsby

Michael John Brosnan

Charles E Moore

Brian James Misek

Matthew Michael Borg

Richard Baumgartner

Frank J DeMonte

Ray Allen Mentzer

Apparatus and a method for processing image data where row data is received corresponding to a target row of pixels and to one or more reference rows of pixels. A target row average is generated based on the target row data and a reference row average is generated for each of the one or more reference rows based on each reference row's respective row data. A row correction value is generated based on the target row average of the target row and the reference row average of the one or more reference rows. Corrected target row data is generated by applying the row correction value to the target row data.

Row noise filtering

A distributed power supply delivery network includes an analog biased circuit array having current sources for delivering current to adjacent circuits, and a resistive ladder of resistor elements, where each resistor element is disposed between adjacent current sources. A tuned IR voltage drop network is included to match voltage drops across the resistive ladder. The tuned IR voltage drop network includes series connected resistors and a static current draw to induce the IR drop. The resistors may be matched with respect to the distributed power supply delivery system. The current source providing the static current for the IR drop may be programmed based on the power supply delivery load, in order to adjust the voltage drop across the biasing delivery route and match the voltage drop in the referenced power supply.

System and method for biasing analog circuitry in a distributed power delivery network for image sensors and other circuit structures

An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization.

Method, apparatus and system for image stabilization using a single pixel array

An image sensing chip includes an active pixel sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns. A built in self test circuit is coupled to the active pixel sensor array. The built in self test circuit includes an output port adapted to be coupled to external circuitry and the built in self test circuit is operable to test the active pixel sensor array and provide the results of the test on the output port.

On-chip test system and method for active pixel sensor arrays

A delay circuit is provided that delays the sampling signal by a selected amount in order to ensure that sampling does not occur concurrently with the occurrence of a noisy event. The noisy events on the IC tend to be periodic and occur at regular intervals. The invention allows the delay in the sampling signal to be adjusted such that sampling does not occur at the same time as the reoccurring noisy event. This ensures that the sample signals will not have noise in them resulting from the occurrence of the noisy event. In addition, the delay circuit is programmable to allow the amount of delay to be set on the fly.

Method and apparatus for programmably setting a sampling delay in an image sensor device

An active pixel sensor (APS) image sensor comprises an array of pixel circuits corresponding to rows and columns of pixels, a plurality of amplifiers that buffer signals output by the array of pixel circuits, and a plurality of sample and hold circuits that read the buffered signals. A routing mechanism is positioned between the array of pixel circuits and the plurality of amplifiers. A controller selects a set of the pixel circuits for sampling and is configured to control the routing mechanism to couple each pixel circuit in the set to a different one of the amplifiers during a normal mode of operation and to couple each pixel circuit of a subset of pixel circuits in a first set of pixel circuits to a different amplifier of a first subset of the amplifiers, to couple each pixel circuit of a subset of pixel circuits in a second set of pixel circuits to a different amplifier of a second subset of the amplifiers, and to connect the amplifiers of the first and second subsets of amplifiers in pairs to a common one of the sample and hold circuits during a sub-sampling mode of operation.

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Corvallis, OR, United States of America

Charles Myers