Method of fast automatic exposure or gain control in a MOS image sensor
US6859230B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/76
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a CMOS image sensor, it is important to control the exposure time or gain. For varying changes in ambient light, the exposure time of the array must be changed. The present invention describes a method for controlling the exposure time or gain. Each of the intensities of the pixels in a frame is analyzed to provide an indication of the number of pixels having an intensity above or below multiple predetermined thresholds. This information is then used to change the exposure time. The magnitude of change in the exposure time is also determined by the number of pixels having an intensity above or below multiple predetermined thresholds, as the case may be.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.