Micron Technology Incorporated

Aptina Imaging Corporation

Dmitri Jerdev

Ilia Ovsiannikov

Xuemei Zhang

Igor Subbotin

Nail Khaliullin

Gennadiy A Agranov

Gregory Michael Hunter

Alexander Mokhnatyuk

Robert Mullis

William R Dirks

John W Ladd

An image sensor device has a first region configured to sense only infrared illumination and a second region configured to not sense visible and infrared illumination.

Ambient infrared detection in solid state sensors

A solid state imaging device includes an array of active pixels and an infrared cut filter formed over the sensor. Optionally, a slot in the infrared cut filter allows infrared illumination to reach the sensor to be detected by pixels covered by a visually opaque filter and surrounded by pixels of special types that limit charge leakage and enable high dynamic range sensing of infrared illumination. A ratio of average infrared signal to average brightness indicates an amount of infrared illumination reaching the imaging device.

An improved non-uniform sensitivity correction algorithm for use in an imager device (e.g., a CMOS APS). The algorithm provides zones having flexible boundaries which can be reconfigured depending upon the type of lens being used in a given application. Each pixel within each zone is multiplied by a correction factor dependent upon the particular zone while the pixel is being read out from the array. The amount of sensitivity adjustment required for a given pixel depends on the type of lens being used, and the same correction unit can be used with multiple lenses where the zone boundaries and the correction factors are adjusted for each lens. In addition, the algorithm makes adjustments to the zone boundaries based upon a misalignment between the centers of the lens being used and the APS array.

Correction of non-uniform sensitivity in an image array

A method and apparatus that allows for the correction of multiple defective pixels in an imager device. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of selecting a correction kernel for a defective pixel, determining average and difference values for pixel pairs in the correction kernel, and substituting an average value from a pixel pair for the value of the defective pixel.

Correction of cluster defects in imagers

A method and apparatus for applying color correction to image signals provides different color corrections depending on a characterization associated with a pixel signal being processed or the gain applied to the pixel signal such as a value of a pixel signal being processed. The color corrections may be configured such that darker pixels have less color correction applied to them.

Method and apparatus for image signal color correction with reduced noise

A method and apparatus for reducing false color artifacts in digital images. Aperture correction and color saturation values are determined for a portion of an image surrounding a subject pixel. A color attenuation value is determined based at least in part on the aperture correction and color saturation values. A color value of the subject pixel is adjusted by an amount based at least in part on the color attenuation value. In one exemplary embodiment, the method and apparatus operate in the YUV color space and adjust U and V values of the subject pixel proportionally to the color attenuation value.

Method and apparatus for reducing image artifacts based on aperture-driven color kill with color saturation assessment

Methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for accelerating the operation of the automatic functions of an imager, e.g. a camera system. The automatic functions may, for example, include one or more of auto-focus, auto-exposure and auto-white balance. A special 'windowing mode' is implemented in which information is acquired from only a subset of defined windows from the full pixel array area in order to set image capture parameters of the imager in accordance with current scene conditions.

Methods, apparatuses and systems using windowing to accelerate automatic camera functions

Methods, systems and apparatuses proving a high dynamic range imager. Multiple photosensor integration periods are used to capture pixel signal information. A transistor gate is used to remove electrons from the photosensor between the two successive integration periods providing a non-linear pixel response characteristic having a knee point. Each pixel is calibrated for the knee point which is used during adjustment of the pixel output signal. Each pixel may also be calibrated with an arbitrary signal response curve for multiple light intensities.

Methods, systems and apparatuses using barrier self-calibration for high dynamic range imagers

An imaging device and processes to provide image stabilization by controlling analog gain and integration time. Analog gain and integration time for images are determined by comparing an image in various frames, whether full frames or hidden frames, where the image is provided with differently set analog gain and integration time settings to determine settings for stabilized image capture.

Image stabilization device and method

Methods and apparatuses for noise reduction include embodiments that use a weighted combination based on the presence of edges of two calculated demosaiced signals to produce a noise reduced signal. The noise reduced signal may be sharpened based on a calculated luminance of the two demosaiced signals.

Methods and apparatuses that reduce noise in image signals

Method, apparatus and system for determining a value for green-green imbalance and applying the value to green pixels to correct the imbalance are described. Average pixel values of green pixels within a kernel are calculated and an imbalance value is determined based on the averages. The imbalance value is added to or subtracted from all green pixel response values in the kernel to correct the imbalance.

Method, apparatus and system providing green-green imbalance compensation

Embodiments of an imaging system and method for generating video data with edge-aware interpolation are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, an edge-aware demosaicing process is performed on image sensor data to generate pixel-edge data, and video output data may be generated by adding the pixel-averaged data to difference data weighted by a correction factor. The difference data represents a difference between pixel-averaged data and the pixel-edge data. The correction factor may be proportional to an amount of edge content in the image sensor data.

Growing community of inventors

South Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Dmitri Jerdev