Omnivision Technologies, Inc.

Junzhao Lei

Tiejun Dai

Suganda Jutamulia

Guannho Tsau

Hasan Gadjali

An imaging system for use in a spatially constrained location includes an image sensor for capturing an image, wherein the image sensor has (a) a first rectangular area containing a pixel array and connecting circuitry communicatively coupled with the pixel array and (b) a second rectangular area with only one shared side with the first rectangular area and containing support electronics for pixel array control and signal acquisition, where the support electronics is communicatively coupled with the connecting circuitry. An imaging method for use in a spatially constrained location includes (a) forming an image of a scene on a pixel array of an image sensor contained within a first rectangular area having a first side and (b) communicating electrical signals between the pixel array and support electronics located onboard the image sensor and contained within a second rectangular area sharing only one side with the first rectangular area.

Imaging systems and methods for using in spatially constrained locations

A lens-free imaging system for detecting particles in a sample deposited on image sensor includes a fluidic chamber for holding a sample and an image sensor for imaging the sample, wherein the image sensor has a light receiving surface and a plurality of photosensitive pixels disposed underneath the light receiving surface, and wherein the fluidic chamber formed at least in part by the light receiving surface. A method for detecting particles of interest in a sample deposited on an image sensor, through lens-free imaging using the image sensor, includes (ii) generating an image of the sample, deposited on a light receiving surface of the image sensor, by illuminating the sample, and (ii) detecting the particles of interest in the image.

Lens-free imaging system and method for detecting particles in sample deposited on image sensor

A microelectronics chip contains an integrated CMOS imaging sensor integrated with a LED die. Circuitry is established on the chip for a shared power arrangement.

Self-illuminating CMOS imaging package

An automated cell growth/migration detection system includes: a container for containing a cell growth/migration matrix/medium into which deposited cells form a cell surface; an image sensor for capturing images; an actuator for incrementally varying distance between the image sensor lens and the cell surface such that the images correspond to varying imaging depths; and an image data processor for processing the images to determine cell growth/migration. An automated cell growth/migration detection method includes: capturing a first image series of a cell surface within a first imaging cycle corresponding to a sequence of imaging depths between the cell surface and an image sensor; capturing an additional image series of the cell surface within each of at least one additional imaging cycle and corresponding to the same sequence of imaging depths; processing each image series for each imaging cycle to determine a clearest-looking image; and determining cell growth/migration from the clearest-looking image.

Automated cell growth/migration detection system and associated methods

A multiple image sensor image acquisition system includes a clock control unit to generate a synchronization clock signal. The synchronization clock signal has a prolonged constant cycle during which the synchronization clock signal is held at a constant level for a period of time corresponding to multiple clock cycles. A first image sensor is coupled with the clock control unit to receive the synchronization clock signal and has a first synchronization unit that is operable to synchronize operation for the first image sensor based on detection of an end of the prolonged constant cycle. A second image sensor is coupled with the clock control unit to receive the synchronization clock signal and has a second synchronization unit that is operable to synchronize operation for the second image sensor based on detection of the end of the prolonged constant cycle. The image sensors are synchronized operationally.

Synchronization of image acquisition in multiple image sensors with a synchronization clock signal

An image sensor system includes an image sensor and a host controller. The image sensor includes a power input terminal, a data terminal, a clock input terminal, and a ground terminal. The host controller is coupled to the power input terminal to provide power to the image sensor, the data terminal to receive analog image data from the image sensor, the clock input terminal to provide a clock signal to the image sensor, and the ground terminal. The ground terminal serves as a common reference between the image sensor and one or more circuits of the host controller. The system also includes logic that is configured to transfer the analog image data from the image sensor to the host controller through the data terminal of the image sensor and to transfer one or more digital control signals between the image sensor and the host controller through the data terminal.

Shared terminal of an image sensor system for transferring image data and control signals

A CMOS pixel array is introduced into a dark environment to acquire video image frames. During a first frame, each row of pixels is sequentially reset, one row at a time, and then each row of pixels is sequentially read out, one row at a time. During a second frame, each row of pixels is sequentially reset, one row at a time, and then each row of pixels sequentially read out, one row at a time. A light source illuminates the dark environment during a vertical blanking period between the reading of the last row during the first frame and the reading of the first row during the second frame. The light source does not illuminate the dark environment between reading the first and last rows during the first frame nor between reading the first and last rows during the second frame.

Acquiring global shutter-type video images with CMOS pixel array by strobing light during vertical blanking period in otherwise dark environment

An example image sensor system includes an image sensor having a first terminal and a host controller coupled to the first terminal. Logic is included in the image sensor system, that when executed transfers analog image data from the image sensor to the host controller through the first terminal of the image sensor and also transfers one or more digital control signals between the image sensor and the host controller through the same first terminal.

An example image sensor system includes an image sensor having a first terminal and a host controller coupled to the first terminal. Logic is included in the image sensor system, that when executed transfers clock signals from the host controller to the image sensor through the first terminal of the image sensor and also transfers one or more digital control signals between the image sensor and the host controller through the same first terminal.

Shared terminal of an image sensor system for transferring clock and control signals

A fluorescence imaging module includes an image sensor and a lens disposed between a fluorescence sample and the image sensor to focus a fluorescence image of the fluorescence sample onto the image sensor. The fluorescence sample is to be positioned an object distance away from the lens. The lens is positioned an image distance away from the image sensor. The image distance is greater than the object distance. An illuminating device is disposed between the fluorescence sample and the lens. The illuminating device includes a light source and an optical element. The light source is adapted to emit light in a first direction towards the optical element. The optical element is optically coupled to receive the light and redirect the light in a second direction towards the fluorescence sample to illuminate the fluorescence sample.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Junzhao Lei