Micron Technology Incorporated

Given Imaging Ltd.

Aptina Imaging Corporation

Entropic Communications, Inc.

Espen A Olsen

Jorgen Moholt

Alf Olsen

Arkady Glukhovsky

Dov Avni

Steinar Iversen

Chiajen Lee

Jørgen Moholt

Christopher Zeleznik

Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Anti-eclipse circuitry with tracking of floating diffusion reset level

Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuity is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

An anti-eclipse circuit for an imager is formed from pixel circuitry over the same semiconductor substrate as the imaging pixels. More specifically, two adjacent pixel circuits are modified to form an amplifier. One input of the amplifier is adapted to receive a reset signal from one of the pixel circuits while another input is adapted to be set at a predetermined offset voltage from the output of the amplifier. The amplifier is preferably a unity gain amplifier, so that the output of the amplifier set to a voltage level equal to the predetermined offset from the voltage level of the reset signal. Accordingly, the anti-eclipse circuit outputs a reference voltage at predetermined level from the reset voltage of a pixel and does not need to be calibrated for fabrication related variances in reset voltages.

An imager and a method for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of light incident on imager pixels during their exposure to light. Real-time or present pixel signals, which are indicative of present illumination on the pixels, are compared to a reference signal during the exposure. Adjustments, if necessary, are made to programmable parameters such as gain and/or exposure time to automatically control the imager's exposure to the light. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, only a selected number of pixels are monitored for exposure control as opposed to monitoring the entire pixel array.

Image sensor including real-time automatic exposure control and swallowable pill including the same

Low headroom line driver circuits are disclosed. In several embodiments, the line driver circuits include a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor and a fourth transistor, where the first transistor and second transistors; and the third and fourth transistors are matched, first and second matched impedances, first and second driver controls circuit configured to apply control signals to the gates of the first and second transistors; and the third and fourth transistors respectively. In addition, the first and third transistors; and the second and fourth transistors are configured as a pair of stacked transistors connected between the voltage supplies Vdd and Vss, the second and fourth transistors are configured as a pair of stacked transistors connected between the voltage supplies Vdd and Vss, the matched impedances are connected in series between nodes formed by the connection between the first and third transistors; and the second and fourth transistors.

Low headroom line driver

Real-time exposure control for automatic light control

Methods, devices, and systems for offset compensation in an amplifier are disclosed, wherein the amplifier inputs may be exposed to large loads from an array of pixel columns coupled in parallel. During a sampling phase, an amplifier offset may be sampled by selectively coupling a first amplifier output to a first amplifier input and a second amplifier output to a second amplifier input. During a portion of the sampling phase, the first amplifier output may be buffered to a first storage element. During a different portion of the sampling phase, the second amplifier output may be buffered to a second storage element. To sense the pixel columns during an amplification phase, the first storage element and the second storage element are coupled to the first and second amplifier inputs, respectively, with the result that the amplifier offset is canceled from the amplifier output.

Methods, systems, and devices for offset compensation in CMOC imagers

Methods and circuits for reducing noise for a passive pixel sensor (PPS) array of an image sensor are described. A noise reduction circuit includes a noise reduction integrator circuit configured to detect a potential voltage of a column line of the PPS array and generate a potential voltage substantially equal to the potential voltage of the column line. The noise reduction circuit also includes a conductor line oriented longitudinally along the column line and configured to receive the generated potential voltage from the noise reduction integrator circuit. The conductor line is placed at a potential voltage that is the same as the potential voltage of the column line. A parasitic capacitance formed between the conductor line and the column line is substantially reduced.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Espen A Olsen