Image sensors for generating floating point numbers
US9445028B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2014 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels arranged in rows and columns. Each image pixel arranged along a given column may be coupled to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuitry that is capable of converting analog pixel signals into a digital floating point equivalent representation. The ADC circuitry may be configured to perform exponent conversion during a first time period at a nominal reference voltage level and to perform mantissa conversion a subsequent time period at an adjustable reference voltage level that can be less than the nominal reference voltage level. Readout circuitry implemented in this way can perform conversion in a shorter period of time using a reduced resolution ADC to serve effectively as a higher resolution ADC.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.