Dual conversion gain high dynamic range sensor
US9402039B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/771
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of reading out a pixel includes resetting a photodetector of the pixel. Light incident on the photodetector is then integrated for a single exposure of a single image capture. A floating diffusion node of the pixel is then reset. The floating diffusion is set to low conversion gain and a low conversion gain reset signal is sampled from the floating diffusion node. The floating diffusion is set to high conversion gain and a high conversion gain reset signal is sampled from the floating diffusion node. Charge carriers are transferred from the photodetector to the floating diffusion node and a high conversion image signal is then sampled from the floating diffusion node. The floating diffusion is set to low conversion gain. Charge carriers are transferred again from the photodetector to the floating diffusion node and a low conversion image signal is sampled from the floating diffusion node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.