Kai Te Shen

US Patent:

20210029313, Jan 28, 2021

Filed:

Oct 23, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/661083

Inventors:

- Phoenix AZ, US
Tomas GEURTS - Haasrode, BE
Richard Scott JOHNSON - Boise ID, US
Kai SHEN - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

H04N 5/361
H04N 5/378
H04N 5/355
H04N 5/365

Abstract:

An image sensor may include an array of image pixels. Control circuitry coupled to the array of pixels may be configured to operate the image pixels in an overflow mode of operation, in which each pixel generates an overflow image signal and a complete image signal from a single exposure time period. The overflow image signals and the complete image signals from the pixels may be used to generate a high dynamic range image. While the floating diffusion region in each pixel is not in use, control circuitry may control that pixel to generate a reference signal at the floating diffusion region indicative of pixel-specific dark signal noise. Processing circuitry may mitigate for dark signal non-uniformity across the pixels by correcting the complete image signals using the reference signal to remove dark signal noise in the complete image signals.