Digital pixel architecture supporting low power and high dynamic range operation having a counter that stops counting pulses in response to detecting a voltage on a capacitor exceeding a threshold
US12432475B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2023 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 1, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/7795
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system includes a focal plane array having multiple pixel circuit elements. Each pixel circuit element includes a photodetector configured to generate an electrical current based on received illumination. Each pixel circuit element also includes a capacitor configured to be charged by the electrical current and generate a voltage. Each pixel circuit element further includes a controller configured to sense whether the voltage on the capacitor exceeds a threshold during a sampling period. In addition, each pixel circuit element includes a timer configured to generate an estimate or measure of an amount of time within the sampling period during which the voltage on the capacitor does not exceed the threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.