Local auto-adaptive optic sensor
US6606121B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/772
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
To avoid the overexposure and underexposure of pixels which occurs with high image contrasts, each pixel contains a local autoadaptive control. With the help of this control, each pixel automatically ends its integration period as soon as it has integrated enough photoelectric current. An analog signal represents the length of the integration period selected by the pixel. Together with the integrated pixel signal, it represents brightness information with high dynamics and with low requirements regarding the dynamics of the individual signals. Because of their local adaptivity, the image sensors are suitable for all applications where high brightness contrasts must be processed, such as guiding a motor vehicle in highway traffic, nature films and astronomy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.