IMAGING SYSTEM FOR SIMULTANEOUS IMAGING AND ENERGY HARVESTING

摘要

A semiconductor sensor and energy collector device is configured to collect energy and simultaneously generate image data in a camera or other imaging device. The device includes an array of pixels that are divided into super pixel groups that include a predetermined number of pixels. In a first operating mode, a first set of the pixels in each super pixel operates as a photovoltaic energy collector while a second set of the pixels in each super pixel group operate as image data sensors. In a second operating mode, at least one pixel in each super pixel group that operates as a photovoltaic energy collector in the first operating mode operates as an additional image data sensor.