Method and apparatus for storing image information for multiple sampling operations in a digital pixel sensor

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6987536
APP PUB NO 20020140842A1
SERIAL NO

09823838

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A method for storing image information in a digital pixel sensor is disclosed for reducing the size of the memory needed to facilitate multiple sampling. An image sensor includes a sensor array of pixel elements generating pixel data in k bits and a data memory for storing pixel data of each pixel element. In one embodiment, the data memory in the digital pixel sensor stores an m-bit time index value and the lower k-1 bits of the pixel data for pixel data exceeding the predetermined threshold level in all exposure times except the last. When pixel data in the last exposure time is captured, the data memory stores the time index value in less than m bits and stores the k-bit pixel data. The size of the data memory is minimized while preserving the image quality. The method of the present invention provides the benefits of reducing manufacturing cost and improving production yield.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • PIXIM, INC.

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Olding, Benjamin P Mountain View, CA 13 278
Reyneri, Justin Los Altos, CA 9 315

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation