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:
Jul. 29, 2014
Filed:
Oct. 06, 2011
Adi Xhakoni, Leuven, BE;
David San Segundo Bello, Leuven, BE;
Georges Gielen, Leuven, BE;
IMEC, Leuven, BE;
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, BE;
Abstract
A method of increasing dynamic range of pixels in an imaging sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, two image captures are performed, one at a first short integration time and one at a second optimum integration time. An electrical value obtained from a pixel or group of pixels at the first short integration time is used to predict the second integration time using a comparison with a set of reference values. The reference values relate to a saturation electrical value for each pixel or group of pixels to predict the second integration time. The first short integration time is determined as a fractional multiple of the saturation electrical value. The second integration times are such that there is no saturation of the pixel or group of pixels. Adjustments can be made to the reference values to allow for offset immunity and variability in light levels during the second integration time.