Wide dynamic range using monochromatic sensor

摘要

A system for digital imaging in a light deficient environment includes an emitter for providing illumination with electromagnetic pulses. The system includes an image sensor that creates image data from the electromagnetic pulses. The image sensor has a plurality of subsets of differing pixels, where each of the pixels comprises a transfer gate transistor. Each transfer gate transistor in one subset of pixels is electrically connected by a TX signal. The TX signal provides global operation of transfer gate transistor (TX) per subset of pixels. The system includes a memory comprising instructions for controlling the emitter so as to pulse for a plurality of exposures that correspond to the subsets of differing pixels and instructions that coordinate the electromagnetic pulses being emitted during a blanking portion of the image sensor frame period. The system includes a processor that combines a plurality of exposures to expand dynamic range.

主权项

1. A system for digital imaging in a light deficient environment comprising:
an emitter for providing illumination in electromagnetic pulses; an image sensor that is sensitive to the electromagnetic pulses and creates image data therefrom; wherein said image sensor comprises a plurality of subsets of differing pixels; wherein each of the pixels comprises a transfer gate transistor; wherein each transfer gate transistor in one subset of pixels are electrically connected together by a TX signal; wherein the TX signal provides global operation of transfer gate transistor (TX) per subset of pixels; a memory comprising instruction for controlling the emitter so as to pulse for a plurality of exposures that correspond to the subsets of differing pixels; wherein said memory further comprises instructions that coordinate the pulses to be emitted during a predefined portion of the image sensor frame period during which pulse sensitive pixels are not read; and wherein a processor combines the plurality of exposures to expand dynamic range.