An image capture system includes an image sensor which has pixel lines, a reset circuit, a readout circuit, and a processor. The processor configured to determine a first exposure time for a first portion of the image information, determine a second exposure time for a second portion of the image information, and variably control a pixel line exposure time for a selected line of pixels by signaling the reset circuit and the readout circuit at different times which are based on the first exposure time and the second exposure time, and where the first exposure time, the second exposure time, and the pixel line exposure time are elapsed times between the reset time and the read time. The image sensor further includes a gain element which is pixel line variably controlled using a first gain factor for the first portion and a second gain factor for the second portion.

A pixel includes a transfer gate, and a sample structure having a first sample stage and a second sample stage. The transfer gate and the first and the second sample stages are configured to be operated in conjunction with a light source in response to a control signal. The first sample stage is configured to sample a first sample value that depends on radiation incident on the photosensitive element from an object or a scene that is illuminated by the light source emitting light at a first output power, while the second sample stage is configured to sample a second sample value that depends on radiation incident on the photosensitive element from the object or the scene that is illuminated by the light source emitting light at a second output power. The first output power is different, in particular significantly different, from the second output power.

The imaging apparatus includes: a processor; and an imaging element that has column signal lines, which are for reading out signals and extend in a first direction, and that has a first pixel group and a second pixel group arranged in the first direction, the first pixel group including phase difference pixels and imaging pixels arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction and the second pixel group including imaging pixels arranged in the second direction. The processor is configured to set one of a first exposure time, during which the first pixel group is exposed, and a second exposure time, during which the second pixel group is exposed, shorter than the other, and determine which of the first exposure time and the second exposure time is made shorter than the other on the basis of information of a subject image.

Only a necessary region is imaged on the basis of a result of interleaving imaging. An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, an analog-to-digital converter, and a conversion control unit. The imaging element generates analog signals of a plurality of pixels for a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of pixels. The analog-to-digital converter performs analog-to-digital conversion processing for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. The conversion control unit controls the analog-to-digital conversion processing of a plurality of pixels included in a predetermined pixel block according to a difference between a digital signal of a representative pixel in the predetermined pixel block in the plurality of pixel blocks and a predetermined reference value.

Only a necessary region is imaged on the basis of a result of interleaving imaging. An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, an analog-to-digital converter, and a conversion control unit. The imaging element generates analog signals of a plurality of pixels for a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of pixels. The analog-to-digital converter performs analog-to-digital conversion processing for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. The conversion control unit controls the analog-to-digital conversion processing of a plurality of pixels included in a predetermined pixel block according to a difference between a digital signal of a representative pixel in the predetermined pixel block in the plurality of pixel blocks and a predetermined reference value.

An image capture device includes a plurality of independently formed camera channels. Each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels includes a respective lens that receives incident light and transmits the incident light to a respective sensor without transmitting the incident light to respective sensor of other camera channels within the plurality of independently formed camera channels. Further, a processor that is communicatively coupled to the respective sensor of each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels. The processor is configured to control an integration time of the respective sensor of each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels individually with the receive respective images from the respective sensor of each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels, and form a combined image by combing each of the respective images.

An image capture device includes a plurality of independently formed camera channels. Each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels includes a respective lens that receives incident light and transmits the incident light to a respective sensor without transmitting the incident light to respective sensor of other camera channels within the plurality of independently formed camera channels. Further, a processor that is communicatively coupled to the respective sensor of each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels. The processor is configured to control an integration time of the respective sensor of each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels individually with the receive respective images from the respective sensor of each of the plurality of independently formed camera channels, and form a combined image by combing each of the respective images.

System, methods, devices, and instructions are described for fast boot of a processor as part of camera operation. In some embodiments, in response to a camera input, a digital signal processor (DSP) of a device is booted using a first set of instructions. Capture of image sensor data is initiated using the first set of instructions at the DSP. The DSP then receives a second set of instructions and the DSP is programmed using the second set of instructions after at least a first frame of the image sensor data is stored in a memory of the device. The first frame of the image sensor data is processed using the DSP as programmed by the second set of instructions. In some embodiments, the first set of instructions includes only instructions for setting camera sensor values, and the second set of instructions includes instructions for processing raw sensor data into formatted image files.

Apparatus for optical sensing includes first matrix of optical sensing elements, arranged on a semiconductor substrate in rows and columns. A second matrix of storage nodes is arranged on the substrate such that respective first and second storage nodes in the second matrix are disposed in proximity to each of the sensing elements within the first matrix. Switching circuitry couples each of the sensing elements to transfer photocharge to the respective first and second storage nodes. Control circuitry controls the switching circuitry in a depth sensing mode such that over a series of detection cycles, each of the sensing elements and a first neighboring sensing element are connected together to the respective first storage node during the first detection interval, and each of the sensing elements and the second neighboring sensing element are connected together to the respective second storage node during the second detection interval.

Disclosed is an image processing method employing a post processing technique that may eliminate flicker artifacts from captured video in real time. An example method involves receiving from an image sensor a sequence of input frames representing a scene and identifying and tracking a light source represented within the input frames. Flickering of the light source may be identified by detecting frame to frame color characteristic variation of a region representing the light source. A sequence of output frames may be generated with the flickering removed by selectively modifying image data of pixels within the region.