The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 22, 2019
Filed:
May. 21, 2018
Renesas Electronics Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Hirokazu Shimizu, Tokyo, JP;
RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Conventional image sensors cannot generate highly-accurate correction values in a short time. In calibration operation, an image sensor according to an embodiment: categorizes a plurality of pixel circuits, which are arranged in a grid of columns and rows in an effective pixel area, on a row-by-row basis into an imaging pixel circuit group and a calibration pixel circuit group; controls the pixel circuits belonging to the imaging pixel circuit group to output imaging signals; electrically cuts off the pixel circuits belonging to the calibration pixel circuit group from vertical readout lines and supplies a calibration voltage to the vertical readout lines at the time when the pixel circuits belonging to the calibration pixel circuit group are read; generates imaging data corresponding to the voltage level of the imaging signal input through the vertical readout lines and calibration data corresponding to the voltage level of the calibration voltage; generates pixel data by applying a correction value to the imaging data while accumulating calibration data; and updates the correction value to an updated correction value generated based on a predetermined number of the calibration data pieces.