Patent classifications
H04N23/749
IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM
An imaging device includes a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of avalanche photodiodes, a setting unit configured to set the plurality of avalanche photodiodes to an active state or an inactive state separately, and a counter circuit that counts and outputs number of photons determined by the avalanche photodiode(s) set to the active state out of the plurality of avalanche photodiodes, wherein the imaging device is configured to change the number of avalanche photodiodes set to the active state out of the plurality of avalanche photodiodes in accordance with brightness of an object.
IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND IMAGING METHOD
An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging unit configured to perform an imaging operation; a data generator configured to generate first power supply voltage data corresponding to a first power supply voltage; and a flag generation section configured to generate a flag signal for the first power supply voltage by comparing the first power supply voltage data and first reference data. The first power supply voltage is supplied to the imaging unit.
Vehicular vision system with windshield mounted camera
A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera, a circuit board, at least one electrical connector and an image processor. With the camera module mounted at a vehicle windshield, the camera has a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The camera includes an imager and a lens, with the lens accommodated in a lens barrel. The camera captures image data when operated. The camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at the circuit board via a flexible electrical connection. Circuitry of the circuit board, via the flexible electrical connection, (i) provides electrical power to the camera, (ii) controls the camera and (iii) receives image data from the camera. With the camera module mounted at the windshield, the circuit board is tilted at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lens barrel of the camera.
Imaging device and imaging system
An imaging device includes a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of avalanche photodiodes, a setting unit configured to set the plurality of avalanche photodiodes to an active state or an inactive state separately, and a counter circuit that counts and outputs number of photons determined by the avalanche photodiode(s) set to the active state out of the plurality of avalanche photodiodes, wherein the imaging device is configured to change the number of avalanche photodiodes set to the active state out of the plurality of avalanche photodiodes in accordance with brightness of an object.
Vehicular vision system with windshield mounted camera
A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera and a circuit board. With the camera module mounted at a vehicle windshield, the camera has a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The camera includes an imager and a lens, with the lens accommodated in a lens barrel. The camera captures image data when operated. The camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at the circuit board via a flexible electrical connection. Circuitry of the circuit board (i) provides electrical power to the camera via the flexible electrical connection, (ii) controls the camera via the flexible electrical connection and (iii) receives image data from the camera via the flexible electrical connection. With the camera module mounted at the windshield, the circuit board is tilted at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lens barrel of the camera.
VEHICULAR VISION SYSTEM WITH WINDSHIELD MOUNTED CAMERA
A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera and a circuit board. With the camera module mounted at a vehicle windshield, the camera has a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The camera includes an imager and a lens, with the lens accommodated in a lens barrel. The camera captures image data when operated. The camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at the circuit board via a flexible electrical connection. Circuitry of the circuit board (i) provides electrical power to the camera via the flexible electrical connection, (ii) controls the camera via the flexible electrical connection and (iii) receives image data from the camera via the flexible electrical connection. With the camera module mounted at the windshield, the circuit board is tilted at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lens barrel of the camera.
IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD ADAPTED TO FLICKERING LIGHT SOURCES AND IMAGE SENSOR
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels includes a photodiode. The image sensor is configured to capture images of a scene exposed with a flickering light source by for each of the plurality of pixels, acquiring a value representative of a light level at a corresponding pixel by gradually varying a value of sensitivity of the corresponding pixel.
Electrochromic filtering in a camera
This application is directed to a lens assembly configured to focus light on a sensor array of an optical device. The lens assembly comprises one or more optical lenses and an electrochromic layer positioned between the one or more optical lenses and the sensor array. The electrochromic layer has one or more optical properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the layer, including a first optical property related to optical transmissivity. The first optical property includes a first state, responsive to a first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially opaque to a predefined band of IR wavelengths. The first optical property also includes a second state, responsive to a second applied voltage distinct from the first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially transparent to the predefined band of IR wavelengths and visible wavelengths.
Vehicular vision system with windshield mounted camera
A vehicular vision system includes a camera module that includes a camera and a circuit board. With the camera module mounted at a vehicle windshield, the camera has a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The camera includes an imager and a lens, with the lens having a principal lens axis. The camera captures image data. The camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at the circuit board via a flexible electrical connector. Circuity of the circuit board (i) provides electrical power to the camera via the flexible electrical connector, (ii) controls the camera via the flexible electrical connector and (iii) receives image data from the camera via the flexible electrical connector. With the camera module mounted at the windshield, the circuit board is tilted at an angle relative to the principal lens axis of the lens of the camera.
Imaging pixels with storage capacitors
An image sensor may include an array of imaging pixels and row control circuitry. Each imaging pixel may include a photodiode, a floating diffusion region, a transfer transistor configured to transfer charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion region, a dual conversion gain transistor coupled to the floating diffusion region, and a storage capacitor coupled to the dual conversion gain transistor. The capacitor may have a plate that receives a modulated control signal and the row control circuitry may be configured to modulate the control signal. To reduce image artifacts, the modulated control signal may be modulated low during the integration time of the pixel and may be modulated high during the high conversion gain readout time of the pixel.