Systems and methods for pixel-level dark current compensation in image sensors
US9560294B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F39/80
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An imaging system may include processing circuitry, a lens, and an array of pixels including image sensor pixels and temperature sensor pixels. The image sensor pixels may generate image pixel values in response to image light received through the lens. The temperature sensor pixels may generate thermal estimate signals based on the temperature of the pixel array. The image sensor pixels and temperature sensor pixels may generate dark current. As the temperature of the pixel array increases, the image sensor pixels and temperatures sensor pixels may generate increased dark current. Temperature sensor pixels may generate more dark current than image sensor pixels. Dark current generated by the temperature sensor pixels may be used to generate dark current compensation values that may compensate for the dark current generated by the image sensor pixels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.