Image sensor with integrated power conservation control

摘要

An integrated image sensor circuit with multiple power modes is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a pixel array, an analog block to process analog signal associated with the pixel array, where the analog block comprises an analog to digital convertor (ADC), and a first control circuit to enable/disable the analog block or to configure the analog block to a high/low-power mode depending on whether the pixel array is in a readout frame or in a reset frame with no active readout. The integrated image sensor circuit may further comprise a post-processing block and a second control circuit to enable/disable the post-processing block or to configure the post-processing block to the high-power mode or the low-power mode depending on whether the pixel array is in the readout frame or in the reset frame with no active readout.

主权项

1. An integrated image sensor circuit, comprising:
a pixel array to capture an image projected thereon; at least one analog block to process analog signal associated with the pixel array, wherein said at least one analog block comprises an analog to digital convertor (ADC); and a first control circuit to enable or disable said at least one analog block depending on whether the pixel array is in a readout frame, or in a reset frame with no active readout, or to configure said at least one analog block to a high-power mode or a low-power mode depending on whether the pixel array is in the readout frame, or in the reset frame with no active readout, wherein the readout frame is substantially the same as a first period from a first-row readout pulse to a last-row readout pulse, and the reset frame is substantially the same as a second period from a first-row reset pulse to a last-row reset pulse.