Color pattern and pixel level binning for APS image sensor using 2×2 photodiode sharing scheme
US7773138B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2209/046
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A color image sensor includes an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group including a floating diffusion that is shared by four pixels disposed in a 2×2 arrangement. Each of said four pixels includes a photodetector and a color filter superposed over the photodetector, wherein a first pair of said four pixels include green color, and a second pair of said four pixels includes either red or blue color filters. A control circuit controls the pixel groups such that discrete image information is generated from each pixel in normal light situations, and such that summed image information is generated from each pixel group in low light situations by simultaneously connecting the green pixels to the floating diffusion during a first time period, and simultaneously connecting the red/blue pixels to said floating diffusion during a second time period.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.