High dynamic range image sensor
US11943556B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 2022 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/79
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A vertically stacked image sensor with HDR imaging functionality and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The image sensor comprises, a first substrate, a pixel array organized into a plurality of pixel subarrays, of which each pixel comprises a photoelectric element for integrating a photocharge during each one of a plurality of subframe exposures, a transfer gate and a buffered charge-voltage converter. A first charge accumulation element of the charge-voltage converter is operatively connectable to at least one second charge accumulation element through a gain switch. The image sensor comprises control circuitry configured to trigger a partial or a complete transfer of the and to time-interleave at least two rolling shutter control sequences. Separate readout blocks are provided on the second substrate for each pixel subarray, each comprising in a pipelined architecture an A/D conversion unit, a pixel memory logic and a pixel memory unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.