H04N5/365

Solid-state imaging element, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus

The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging element configured so that pixels can be more reliably separated, a method for manufacturing the solid-state imaging element, and an electronic apparatus. The solid-state imaging element includes a photoelectric converter, a first separator, and a second separator. The photoelectric converter is configured to perform photoelectric conversion of incident light. The first separator configured to separate the photoelectric converter is formed in a first trench formed from a first surface side. The second separator configured to separate the photoelectric converter is formed in a second trench formed from a second surface side facing a first surface. The present technology is applicable to an individual imaging element mounted on, e.g., a camera and configured to acquire an image of an object.

Method for correcting defects and in particular for reducing noise in an image provided by an image sensor
11399146 · 2022-07-26 · ·

A method of correcting defects appearing in an image produced by an image sensor, the method comprising: receiving an image to be corrected, taken by the image sensor, receiving a temperature from the image sensor, acquired when the image to be corrected is taken by the image sensor, receiving an integration time applied by the image sensor when taking the image to be corrected, and for each pixel of the image to be corrected, subtracting from the pixel value a pixel-specific noise correction factor derived from a noise reduction model comprising a linear component dependent on the temperature of the image sensor, added to an exponential component depending on the temperature of the image sensor and multiplied by the integration time, the linear and exponential components depending on coefficients specific to the pixel.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CORRECTING ROLLING SHUTTER ARTIFACTS

Systems having rolling shutter sensors with a plurality of sensor rows are configured for compensating for rolling shutter artifacts that result from different sensor rows in the plurality of sensor rows outputting sensor data at different times. The systems compensate for the rolling shutter artifacts by identifying readout timepoints for the plurality of sensor rows of the rolling shutter sensor while the rolling shutter sensor captures an image of an environment and identifying readout poses each readout timepoint, as well as obtaining a depth map based on the image. The depth map includes a plurality of different rows of depth data that correspond to the different sensor rows. The system further compensates for the rolling shutter artifacts by generating a 3D representation of the environment while unprojecting the rows of depth data into 3D space using the readout poses.

IMAGE SENSOR WITH CAPACITOR RANDOMIZATION FOR COLUMN GAIN
20210392286 · 2021-12-16 ·

A pixel cell readout circuit includes a bitline input stage coupled to a bitline to receive an image signal from a pixel cell. A capacitor ratio circuit is coupled to the bitline input stage. A gain of the bitline input stage is responsive to a capacitor ratio provided by the capacitor ratio circuit to the bitline input stage. A switch control circuit is coupled to receive a gain signal. The switch control circuit is coupled to generate a randomized pattern selection signal coupled to be received by the capacitor ratio circuit to select the capacitor ratio provided by the capacitor ratio circuit in response to the gain signal.

NAVIGATION DEVICE CAPABLE OF ESTIMATING CONTAMINATION AND DENOISING IMAGE FRAME
20210385398 · 2021-12-09 ·

There is provided an optical navigation device including an image sensor and a processing unit. The image sensor outputs successive image frames. The processing unit calculates a contamination level and a motion signal based on filtered image frames, and determines whether to update a fixed pattern noise (FPN) stored in a frame buffer according to a level of FPN subtraction, the calculated contamination level and the calculated motion signal to optimize the update of the fixed pattern noise.

Pixel circuit for converting an optical signal into an electric signal comprising a storage circuit storing charge output from an amplifying circuit, and drive method thereof, and detector using the same

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pixel circuit and a drive method thereof, and a detector including the pixel circuit. The pixel circuit includes a photoelectric conversion circuit, a reset circuit, an amplifying circuit, a first control circuit, a second control circuit, a storage circuit, and an output circuit. The photoelectric conversion circuit is configured to convert an optical signal into an electric signal. The reset circuit is configured to reset a voltage of the first node. The amplifying circuit is configured to amplify the voltage of the first node. The first control circuit is configured to control a voltage of the second node. The second control circuit is configured to control a voltage of the third node. The storage circuit is configured to store an electric charge corresponding to the voltage outputted from the amplifying circuit. The output circuit is configured to output the stored electric charge.

Imaging device and imaging method

An imaging device acquires first dark image data in a state where an image sensor has been light shielded, acquires second dark image data in a state where the image sensor has been light shielded, based on completion of exposure, corrects fixed pattern noise of a reference combined image data based on at least one of the first dark image data and the second dark image data, and stores the reference combined image data that has been subjected to correction.

IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF
20210377474 · 2021-12-02 ·

Disclosed is an image sensing device including a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, and suitable for outputting a plurality of pixel signals, and a plurality of readout circuits coupled to the pixel array, and suitable for compensating for readout deviations among the plurality of pixel signals, based on a plurality of bias voltages having different voltage levels, when reading out the plurality of pixel signals.

METHOD FOR CALIBRATING A PHOTODETECTOR ARRAY, A CALIBRATION DEVICE, AND AN ASSOCIATED IMAGING SYSTEM
20220207775 · 2022-06-30 · ·

A method for calibrating a photodetector array supplying a video stream includes: a determination step, wherein an offset table is determined for each current image of the video stream based on at least two corrections from among the following: a first correction from a comparison of the current image to a corresponding predetermined reference table; a second correction from a calculation of a column error of the current image; and a third correction from a high-pass temporal filtering of the video stream; and a calculation step, wherein a current value of an offset table, equal to a sum between a previous value of the offset table and a weighted sum of at least two corrections, is calculated, with each coefficient of the offset table being associated with a respective photodetector of the array.

ANOMALOUS PIXEL DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
20220210399 · 2022-06-30 ·

Various techniques are disclosed to provide for detection of temporally anomalous flickering pixels. In one example, a method includes capturing, by a thermal imager of an imaging device, a plurality of thermal images in response to infrared radiation received from a uniform black body, wherein the thermal images comprise a plurality of pixels having associated pixel values. The method also includes determining, for each pixel, a standard deviation of the associated pixel values for the thermal images. The method also includes comparing the standard deviations with a threshold. The method also includes identifying a subset of the pixels as temporally anomalous pixels in response to the comparing. Additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.