Disclosed are a solid-state imaging apparatus, a signal processing method of a solid-state imaging apparatus, and an electronic device, which are capable of correcting uneven sensitivities generated by multiple factors in a broad area and realizing the higher-precision image quality. A correction circuit 710 weight a sensitivity Pi corresponding to a pixel signal of each pixel related to correction in a pixel unit PU that is the correction target and a sensitivity Pi corresponding to a pixel signal of each pixel related to correction in at least one same color pixel unit PU and adjacent to the pixel unit PU that is the correction target by a weighting coefficient Wi. Consequently, the correction coefficient μ is calculated by dividing a sum of the weighted sensitivities by a total number n of pixels related to correction.

Optical systems that provide non-uniformity correction devices that are capable of providing low radiance level sources.

A method for reducing thermal shading in a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is provided. The method includes: detecting one or more regions in a CMOS image sensor in which thermal shading occurs, the CMOS image sensor including a plurality of heating elements in a chip; automatically switching a subset of the plurality of heating elements to turn on based on the detected one or more regions; and automatically switching the subset of the plurality of heating elements to turn off in an active power consumption phase of the CMOS image sensor.

In a method of filtering an image from data received from a CMOS camera, image data is loaded by a computational device from the camera. Camera parameters corresponding to the CMOS camera are loaded. Fixed pattern noise associated with the camera is removed based on the camera parameters. A readout noise estimation based on characteristics of the camera and filtering estimated readout noise from the image data is generated. Sparse filtering: selecting sub-frames within the image that have similar features; applying a three-dimensional transform on the sub-frames transforming the sub-frame data into a non-two-dimensional domain and generating a first transformed data set; filtering noise data from the first transformed data set to generate a first thresholded image data set; and applying a reverse three-dimensional transform on the first thresholded image data set so as to generate an image.

An image sensor may include an image sensor pixel array, row control circuitry, and column readout circuitry. The array may include first and second sets of active pixels that are configured in different manners or controlled by the row control circuitry and column readout circuitry in different manners. The array may include optically black pixels that have photosensitive elements shield from incident light. The optically black pixels may be configured to generate first and second sets of black level signals adapted to both the first and second sets of active pixels. The corresponding sets of black level signals may be used to better reduce noise in corresponding sets of image signals generated by the first and second sets of active pixels.

A system for providing high resolution image output for pilotage and two color operation for threat detection, the system comprising a focal plane array, the focal plane array comprising: a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are arranged into groups of equal numbers of pixels, each pixel comprising: at least two detectors configured to receive electromagnetic energy; and a readout integrated circuit comprising an analog portion and a digital portion, which combine to form a current to frequency conversion circuit configured to convert current received from one of the at least two detectors into a pulse train, and a counter in operative communication with the frequency conversion circuit configured to count pulses in the pulse train during an integration time, wherein each detector from each of the pixels in a group of pixels is configured such that it can be connected to or disconnected from at least one detector from each adjacent pixel in a row or column from the same said group of pixels, and wherein each group of pixels is configured such that an output from detectors connected to one another is directed through the readout integrated circuit of a single pixel from the group of pixels.

A digital pixel sensor for correcting and reducing a mismatch between a pixel and an analog digital converter provided. The digital pixel sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels; and a bank disposed on the pixel array. The bank includes: a plurality of comparators disposed on the plurality of pixels and configured to compare each of a plurality of pixel signals output from the plurality of pixels with a reference signal to output a plurality of comparison result signals; and a counter connected to the plurality of comparators, and configured to receive the plurality of comparison result signals and latch count code based on the plurality of comparison result signals.

An image sensor may include an array of image pixels arranged in rows and columns. Each column of pixels may be coupled to current source transistors and active clamping circuitry. The active clamping circuitry may be configured to sample a reset voltage and to selectively pull down the column line after a charge transfer operation if the column line exceeds the previously sampled reset voltage. The active clamping circuitry can reduce settling time during low light conditions while eliminate column fixed pattern noise.

In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of calibrating an imaging system in real-time, comprising: obtaining a first reading by a first sensor; establishing a dynamic link between the first reading and exposure time of a second sensor; using the dynamic link to control the exposure time of the second sensor; obtaining a second reading by the second sensor during the controlled exposure time; wherein the steps are performed by one or more computing devices.

Some image sensors include pixels with capacitors. The capacitor may be used to store charge in the imaging pixel before readout. The capacitor may be a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor that is susceptible to dielectric relaxation. Dielectric relaxation may cause lag in the signal on the capacitor that impacts the signal on the capacitor during sampling. The image sensor may include dielectric relaxation correction circuitry that leverages the linear relationship between voltage stress and lag signal to correct for dielectric relaxation. The image sensor may include shielded pixels that operate with a similar timing scheme as the imaging pixels in the active array. Measured lag signals from the shielded pixels may be used to correct imaging data.