An output stage circuit including a current source circuit, a bias circuit, and an output circuit is provided. The bias circuit is coupled between the current source circuit and a ground terminal voltage. The output circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a load circuit. A control terminal of the first transistor is coupled to the bias circuit. The load circuit is coupled to a second terminal of the first transistor. A second terminal of the second transistor is coupled to a first terminal of the first transistor. A first terminal of the third transistor is coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor.

An output stage circuit including a current source circuit, a bias circuit, and an output circuit is provided. The bias circuit is coupled between the current source circuit and a ground terminal voltage. The output circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a load circuit. A control terminal of the first transistor is coupled to the bias circuit. The load circuit is coupled to a second terminal of the first transistor. A second terminal of the second transistor is coupled to a first terminal of the first transistor. A first terminal of the third transistor is coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor.

An imaging element incorporates a reading portion, a storage portion, a processing portion, and an output portion. The reading portion reads out image data obtained by imaging from a photoelectric conversion element at a first frame rate. The storage portion stores the image data read out from the photoelectric conversion element. The processing portion processes the image data. The output portion outputs the image data processed by the processing portion at a second frame rate. The processing portion detects first image data indicating a specific image from the image data stored in the storage portion. The output portion outputs second image data based on image data different from the first image data detected by the processing portion in the image data of a plurality of frames. The second frame rate is a frame rate lower than the first frame rate.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an image sensor includes a first pixel group and a second pixel group disposed in a substrate. The first pixel group includes a first plurality of first sub-groups configured to sense first light of a first color, and a plurality of second sub-groups configured to sense second light of a second color. The second pixel group is arranged adjacent to the first pixel group and includes a second plurality of first sub-groups configured to sense fourth light of the first color, and a plurality of third sub-groups configured to sense third light of a third color. Each of the first plurality of first sub-groups, the second plurality of first sub-groups, the plurality of second sub-groups, and the plurality of third sub-groups including pixels arranged in corresponding N rows and M columns, N and M being positive integers greater than one.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an image sensor includes a first pixel group and a second pixel group disposed in a substrate. The first pixel group includes a first plurality of first sub-groups configured to sense first light of a first color, and a plurality of second sub-groups configured to sense second light of a second color. The second pixel group is arranged adjacent to the first pixel group and includes a second plurality of first sub-groups configured to sense fourth light of the first color, and a plurality of third sub-groups configured to sense third light of a third color. Each of the first plurality of first sub-groups, the second plurality of first sub-groups, the plurality of second sub-groups, and the plurality of third sub-groups including pixels arranged in corresponding N rows and M columns, N and M being positive integers greater than one.

High dynamic range (HDR) images are generated on the basis of a plurality of images obtained by non-destructive reading of an image sensor, called NDRO images. An HDR image generation method includes: the determination of a criterion of desired quality for the HDR image; at least two non-destructive readings of the sensor delivering at least two successive NDRO images; the selection, as a function of the criterion of desired quality, of the first and of the last NDRO image to be used to generate the HDR image; the generation of the HDR image on the basis of information extracted from a series of successive NDRO images starting with the first and terminating with the last NDRO image to be used; the storage of a single image at one and the same time throughout the entire HDR generation phase.

In one example, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image sensor configured to generate a first raw output to represent a first intensity of incident light based on a first relationship, and to generate a second raw output to represent a second intensity of incident light based on a second relationship. The apparatus further comprises a post processor configured to: generate a first post-processed output based on the first raw output and based on the first relationship such that the first post-processed output is linearly related to the first intensity based on a third relationship, and to generate a second post-processed output based on the second raw output and based on the second relationship such that the second post-processed output is linearly related to the second intensity based on the third relationship.

In time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) imaging, a charge-couple device (CCD) integrates and transfers charge across its columns. Unfortunately, the limited well depth of the CCD limits the dynamic range of the resulting image. Fortunately, TDI imaging can be implemented with a digital focal plane array (DFPA) that includes a detector, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and counter in each pixel and transfer circuitry connected adjacent pixels. During each integration period in the TDI scan, each detector in the DFPA generates a photocurrent that the corresponding ADC turns into digital pulses, which the corresponding counter counts. Between integration periods, the DFPA transfers the counts from one column to the next, just like in a TDI CCD. The DFPA also non-destructively transfers some or all of the counts to a separate memory. A processor uses these counts to estimate photon flux and correct any rollovers caused by saturation of the counters.

An imaging system includes an illumination element for emitting light and an imaging sensor having at least one photo-sensitive element that includes a first element with a modifiable first charge level and a second element with a modifiable second charge level. Control circuitry is configured to, during a first phase, control the illumination element to emit light towards a scene and drive the photo-sensitive element such that charge carriers generated in the photo-sensitive element by light received from the scene modify the first charge level. The control circuitry is configured to, during a second phase, control the illumination element to pause emission of the light and drive the photo-sensitive element such that charge carriers generated in the photo-sensitive element by light received modify the second charge level, and to generate a gray-scale image of the scene based on the first and second charge levels.

An imaging apparatus changes a multiplication factor of an avalanche photodiode (APD) at one of (i) a first timing subsequent to an exposure period of a first frame in a first vertical scanning period and a readout period of the first frame in a second vertical scanning period, and previous to an exposure period of a second frame in a third vertical scanning period, and (ii) a second timing subsequent to an exposure period of the first frame in the first vertical scanning period, and previous to a readout period of the first frame and an exposure period of the second frame which are provided in parallel in the second vertical scanning period.