Computational pixel imager with in-pixel histogram acquisition

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11871122-B2
Application number	US-202017425809-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 4, 2020
Priority date	Feb 4, 2019
Publication date	Jan 9, 2024
Grant date	Jan 9, 2024

Abstract

A computational pixel imaging device can include multiple counters per pixel that can be used to acquire in-pixel histogram data representative of a signal detected by a pixels detector. Multiple pixel counters can also be used to execute simultaneous signal-processing threads on acquired image data. The imaging device can also include infinite dynamic range sensing and perform signal down-sampling.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pixel integrated circuit in an array of pixel integrated circuits, the pixel integrated circuit comprising:
a signal converter, wherein the signal converter is arranged to receive a signal from a detector;
a multiplexer connected to an output of the signal converter;
two or more counters connected to outputs of the multiplexer; and
a sequencer connected to a control input of the multiplexer, wherein the sequencer comprises a counter that issues count values to the multiplexer.

2. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the sequencer sends digital signals to the multiplexer to select a first of the two or more counters to connect to the output of the signal converter for a first period of time and to select a second of the two or more counters to connect to the output of the signal converter for a second period of time.

3. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the signal converter is a current-to-frequency signal converter.

4. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the signal converter is a photon-to-pulse signal converter.

5. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein a first counter of the two or more counters comprises a plurality of flip-flops.

6. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 5 , wherein an output of a flip-flop corresponding to the most significant bit for the first counter connects to a tri-state buffer.

7. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 6 , further comprising:
data input multiplexers connected to a data inputs of the plurality of flip-flops; and
clock input multiplexers connected to the clock inputs of the plurality of flip-flops.

8. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 5 , wherein the first counter can be configured as a counter and as a shift register.

9. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein a counter of the two or more counters comprises:
a b-bit counter;
a data line arranged to transmit a value of a most significant bit of the b-bit counter; and
read-out circuitry configured to read the most significant bit at a higher read-out rate than a read-out rate for other bits of the b-bit counter.

10. The pixel integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the array is located adjacent to an imaging plane of an optical assembly.

11. A method of acquiring in-pixel histograms, the method comprising:
converting, with a signal converter located in a pixel integrated circuit of an array of pixel integrated circuits, an analog signal received from a detector to an output signal; and
directing the output signal to different counters included in the pixel integrated circuit in a sequence of different times during an exposure period for the detector, wherein the directing is performed, at least in part, with a multiplexer, wherein the directing further comprises providing a sequence of commands, with a sequencer, to the multiplexer that connects an output from the signal converter to a first counter of the different counters for a first period of time and connects an output from the signal converter to a second counter of the different counters for a second period of time.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the converting comprises current-to-frequency conversion.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the converting comprises photon-to-pulse conversion.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first period had a duration that is different from the second period.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining a number of photons detected by at least one of the different counters.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining a time of arrival of an optical pulse based on count values from two or more of the different counters.

17. A computational pixel imager having an array of pixels, one or more of the pixels comprising:
a detector;
a signal converter connected to receive a signal from the detector;
a multiplexer connected to an output of the signal converter; and
two or more counters connected to outputs of the multiplexer, wherein a counter of the two or more counters comprises:
a b-bit counter;
a data line arranged to transmit a value of a most significant bit of the b-bit counter; and
read-out circuitry configured to read the most significant bit at a higher read-out rate than a read-out rate for other bits of the b-bit counter.

18. The computational pixel imager of claim 17 , further comprising a sequencer connected to a control input of the multiplexer.

19. The computational pixel imager of claim 17 , wherein the signal converter is a current-to-frequency signal converter.

20. The computational pixel imager of claim 17 , wherein the signal converter is a photon-to-pulse signal converter.

21. The computational pixel imager of claim 17 , wherein a first counter of the two or more counters comprises a plurality of flip-flops.

22. The computational pixel imager of claim 21 , wherein the first counter can be configured as a counter and as a shift register during operation of the computational pixel imager.

23. The computational pixel imager of claim 17 included in a camera.

Assignees

• Anduril Industries Inc

Inventors

• Kelly Michael W
• Colonero Curtis
• David Christopher

Classifications

• H04N23/11

  for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths · CPC title

• H04N25/75

  Circuitry for providing, modifying or processing image signals from the pixel array · CPC title

• H04N23/20

  for generating image signals from infrared radiation only · CPC title

• H10F39/197

  Bipolar transistor image sensors · CPC title

• H04N25/772

  comprising A/D, V/T, V/F, I/T or I/F converters · CPC title