H04N25/11

Patterned electrode structure for image sensor

An electrode structure including a top electrode and a bottom electrode located below the top electrode. The top electrode includes a plurality of inner electrodes and an outer electrode connected with the inner electrodes. The inner electrodes are configured to filter a light by wavelength range and filter the light into a polarized light. The inner electrodes extend along a first direction. Each of the inner electrodes includes a metal structure having a first portion and a second portion and a dielectric structure located between the first portion and the second portion of the metal structure. The first portion, the dielectric structure, and the second portion are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

High-resolution image capture by luminance-driven upsampling of pixel-binned image sensor array output

Techniques are described for efficient high-resolution output of an image captured using a high-pixel-count image sensor based on pixel binning followed by luminance-guided umsampling. For example, an image sensor array is configured according to a red-green-blue-luminance (RGBL) CFA pattern, such that at least 50-percent of the imaging pixels of the array are luminance (L) pixels. Pixel binning is used during readout of the array to concurrently generate a downsampled RGB capture frame and a downsampled L capture frame. Following the readout, the L capture frame is upsampled (e.g., by upscaling and interpolation) to generate an L guide frame with 100-percent luminance density. An upsampled RGB frame can then be generated by interpolating the RGB capture frame based both on known neighboring RGB information (e.g., from the RGB capture frame and previously interpolated information), as adjusted based on local luminance information from the L guide frame.

High-resolution image capture by luminance-driven upsampling of pixel-binned image sensor array output

Techniques are described for efficient high-resolution output of an image captured using a high-pixel-count image sensor based on pixel binning followed by luminance-guided umsampling. For example, an image sensor array is configured according to a red-green-blue-luminance (RGBL) CFA pattern, such that at least 50-percent of the imaging pixels of the array are luminance (L) pixels. Pixel binning is used during readout of the array to concurrently generate a downsampled RGB capture frame and a downsampled L capture frame. Following the readout, the L capture frame is upsampled (e.g., by upscaling and interpolation) to generate an L guide frame with 100-percent luminance density. An upsampled RGB frame can then be generated by interpolating the RGB capture frame based both on known neighboring RGB information (e.g., from the RGB capture frame and previously interpolated information), as adjusted based on local luminance information from the L guide frame.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING USING CROSSED POLARIZERS
20230007161 · 2023-01-05 ·

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an imaging system includes: an image sensor including a plurality of subpixels grouped into a plurality of pixels; a polarization system including: a rotatable linear polarizer; and a polarizer mask including a plurality of polarizer filters, the polarizer filters being aligned with corresponding ones of the subpixels, the subpixels of a pixel of the plurality of pixels being located behind polarizer filters at different angles of linear polarization; and imaging optics configured to focus light from a scene onto the image sensor.

Optical sensor device
11530951 · 2022-12-20 · ·

An optical sensor device may include an optical sensor that includes a set of sensor elements; an optical filter that includes one or more channels; a phase mask configured to distribute a plurality of light beams associated with a subject in an encoded pattern on an input surface of the optical filter; and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to obtain, from the optical sensor, sensor data associated with the subject and may determine a distance of the subject from the optical sensor device. The one or more processors may select, based on the distance, a processing technique to process the sensor data, wherein the processing technique is an imaging processing technique or a spectroscopic processing technique. The one or more processors may process, using the selected processing technique, the sensor data to generate output data and may provide the output data.

IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME
20220398777 · 2022-12-15 ·

Provided herein may be an image sensing device and a method of operating the same. An image sensing device may include an image sensor obtaining an image using a plurality of pixels, and an image processor configured to use pixel values included in a region of interest included in the image to generate a gain table including gain table values corresponding to a first resolution, convert the gain table into a target table including target table values corresponding to a second resolution which is lower than the first resolution, and cancel noise included in the image based on the target table.

Imaging apparatus and method for controlling imaging apparatus
11528436 · 2022-12-13 · ·

An imaging apparatus includes a first photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into charge, and a comparison unit. The comparison unit includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor receives a signal that is based on the charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit. The second transistor receives a signal that is based on the charge converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit.

Multicolor photodetector and method for fabricating the same by integrating with readout circuit

Provided are a multicolor photodetector and a method of fabricating the same through integration with a readout integrated circuit. The multicolor photodetector may be fabricated by providing an integrated circuit device in which a readout integrated circuit is wired; forming an assembly in which a first photodetection layer for detecting first wavelength light from incident light and a second photodetection layer for detecting second wavelength light from the incident light on the integrated circuit device; and electrically connecting the first photodetection layer and the second photodetection layer to the readout integrated circuit using connecting members.

IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME
20220377262 · 2022-11-24 ·

An image sensor includes a pixel defining pattern in a mesh form. A first division pattern divides a pixel area into two halves. A second division pattern divides the pixel area into two halves. A first diagonal division pattern divides the pixel area into two halves. A second diagonal division pattern divides the pixel area into two halves. First through eighth photodiodes are arranged in the pixel area.

IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING AN AUTO-FOCUS PIXEL
20220377267 · 2022-11-24 ·

An image sensor including: a pixel array including first and second pixel groups, each of the first and second pixel groups includes of pixels arranged in rows and columns; and a row driver configured to provide transmission control signals to the pixel array, the first pixel group includes a first auto-focus (AF) pixel including photodiodes arranged in a first direction, the pixels of the first pixel group output a pixel signal through a first column line, and the second pixel group includes a second AF pixel including photodiodes arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the pixels of the second pixel group output a pixel signal through a second column line, and the first AF pixel of the first pixel group and the second AF pixel of the second pixel group receive same transmission control signals.