Provided is an imaging unit including an imaging section that includes a pixel capable of performing charge accumulation a plurality of times in response to an imaging instruction for generating one frame of image data; a storage section that stores a pixel signal based on output from the pixel; an updating section that updates the pixel signal already stored in the storage section by performing an integration process to integrate the pixel signal output from the pixel as a result of a new charge accumulation and the pixel signal already stored in the storage section; and a control section that controls whether the updating section performs the update, for each of a plurality of pixel groups that each include one or more pixels.

Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes at least one imager array, and each imager in the array comprises a plurality of light sensing elements and a lens stack including at least one lens surface, where the lens stack is configured to form an image on the light sensing elements, control circuitry configured to capture images formed on the light sensing elements of each of the imagers, and a super-resolution processing module configured to generate at least one higher resolution super-resolved image using a plurality of the captured images.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, and each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit that accumulates signal charge generated by photoelectric conversion of irradiated light, a first holding unit and a second holding unit that hold the signal charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit, and an output unit that outputs, to a column signal line, a signal based on an amount of the signal charge held by the first holding unit or the second holding unit. The first holding unit and the second holding unit alternately hold the signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit for each frame period, and in a period in which the signal charge is not transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit, the first holding unit and the second holding unit output the signal charge to the output unit.

The invention relates to a method for adapting a brightness (28) of a high-contrast image (20, 22) of an environmental region (9) of a motor vehicle (1) including the following steps of: a) capturing a first image with a first camera parameter of a camera system (2) of the motor vehicle (1) and a second image with a second camera parameter of the camera system (2) by means of the camera system (2), b) generating a first high-contrast image (20) of the environmental region (9) with the first image and the second image, c) determining a high-contrast brightness value (23) of the first high-contrast image (20), d) comparing the high-contrast brightness value (23) to a predetermined high-contrast target brightness value, e) adapting the first high-contrast image (20) depending on the comparison according to step d), f) determining a first brightness value of the first image and/or a second brightness value of the second image, g) comparing the first brightness value to a first target brightness value (26) and/or the second brightness value to a second target brightness value (27), h) adapting the first camera parameter and/or the second camera parameter depending on the comparison according to step g), i) capturing a third image of the environmental region (9) with the adapted first camera parameter and a fourth image of the environmental region (9) with the adapted second camera parameter by means of the camera system (2), j) generating a second high-contrast image (22) of the environmental region (9) with the third image and the fourth image, k) providing the second high-contrast image (22) as a high-contrast image (20, 22) adapted in brightness for representing the environmental region (9) of the motor vehicle (1).

A vertically stacked image sensor with HDR imaging functionality and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The image sensor comprises, a first substrate, a pixel array organized into a plurality of pixel subarrays, of which each pixel comprises a photoelectric element for integrating a photocharge during each one of a plurality of subframe exposures, a transfer gate and a buffered charge-voltage converter. A first charge accumulation element of the charge-voltage converter is operatively connectable to at least one second charge accumulation element through a gain switch. The image sensor comprises control circuitry configured to trigger a partial or a complete transfer of the and to time-interleave at least two rolling shutter control sequences. Separate readout blocks are provided on the second substrate for each pixel subarray, each comprising in a pipelined architecture an A/D conversion unit, a pixel memory logic and a pixel memory unit.

Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array section that pixels which detect a physical quantities are arranged in two dimensions of matrix; an AD converting section that performs AD (Analog-Digital) conversion for a plurality of channels of analog pixel signals which are read-out from the pixel array section; and a control section that sets quantized units AD-converted by the AD conversion section according to a gain setting of the unit pixel signal, wherein the control section determines the grayscale number of digital outputs AD-converted for at least one channel of the unit pixel signals according to the gain setting of the pixel signal.

Dynamic range enhancement methods and systems for display for use welding applications are described. A display system in a dynamic range enhancement system can include, for example, a splitter, a high density filter, a low density filter, a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a graphical circuit, and a display. The high density filter and the first image sensor can be disposed in a first path. The low density filter and the second image sensor can be disposed in a second path. The first image sensor can receive filtered electromagnetic waves from the high density filter. The second image sensor can receive filtered electromagnetic waves from the low density filter. The graphic circuit can combine the signals from the first image sensor and the second image sensor to provide a high dynamic range image or video that is displayed on the display of a welding helmet, for example.

Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes at least one imager array, and each imager in the array comprises a plurality of light sensing elements and a lens stack including at least one lens surface, where the lens stack is configured to form an image on the light sensing elements, control circuitry configured to capture images formed on the light sensing elements of each of the imagers, and a super-resolution processing module configured to generate at least one higher resolution super-resolved image using a plurality of the captured images.

A pixel comprises a high-response photodiode that collects photocharge, a first transfer gate that enables the charge to be transferred off the high-response photodiode, completely emptying it onto a low-response photodiode, a second transfer gate enables the charge to be transferred off the low-response photodiode, completely emptying it onto floating diffusion, a third transfer gate for anti-blooming; the floating diffusion collects the transferred charge creating a change of voltage, a means of resetting the floating diffusion. A source-follower is modulated by the voltage on floating diffusion to control bit-line voltage and column-amplifier output. In examples, photocharge is integrated onto both the high-response photodiode and onto the low-response photodiode. The column readout circuit consists of a column amplifier that uses capacitors to set the amplifier gain, three sampling capacitors used as analog memory and for correlated double sampling, and a comparator that assists in providing the final output.

Methods and digital imaging devices disclosed herein are adapted to capture images of a specimen in a chemical reaction using a series of short exposures of light emissions from the specimen over a period of time. The series of short exposures is captured using an array of pixels of an image sensor in the digital imaging device that are configured for performing continuous non-destructive read operations to read out a set of non-destructive read images of the specimen from the pixel array. In one embodiment, images are captured by delaying the read out until at or near the end of the chemical reaction to reduce read noise in the images. The signals read out from the image sensor can be continuously monitored and the capturing of images can be discontinued either automatically or based on a command from a user. The captured images can then be displayed in a graphical display.