Image sensor apparatus and method for simultaneously capturing flash and ambient illuminated images

摘要

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for simultaneously capturing flash and ambient illuminated images. In use, an ambient sample is stored based on an electrical signal from a photodiode of an image sensor. Also, a flash sample is stored based on the electrical signal from the photodiode of the image sensor. Further, a first value is output based on the ambient sample, and a second value is output based on the flash sample, for generating at least one image. Finally, at least one of the first value and the second value is amplified utilizing two or more gains.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
circuitry for:
storing an ambient sample based on an electrical signal from a photodiode of an image sensor, wherein the electrical signal includes a photodiode current received from the photodiode of the image sensor;storing a flash sample based on the electrical signal from the photodiode of the image sensor;outputting a first value based on the ambient sample, and a second value based on the flash sample, for generating at least one image, wherein the first value is output in an ambient analog signal, and the second value is output in a flash analog signal; andamplifying at least one of the first value and the second value utilizing two or more gains, wherein the amplification of the at least one of the first value and the second value utilizing the two or more gains includes amplifying at least one of the ambient analog signal and flash analog signal utilizing the two or more gains;wherein the apparatus is operable such that the ambient analog signal is amplified utilizing the two or more gains to generate a first amplified ambient analog signal and a second amplified ambient analog signal;wherein the apparatus is operable such that the first amplified ambient analog signal is converted to a first ambient digital signal with a first light sensitivity, and the second amplified ambient analog signal is converted to a second ambient digital signal with a second light sensitivity;wherein the apparatus is operable such that:
the first ambient digital signal is blended with the second ambient digital signal, resulting in a blended ambient digital signal with a blended ambient light sensitivity;the flash analog signal is amplified utilizing at least one gain to generate at least one amplified flash analog signal;the at least one amplified flash analog signal is converted to at least one flash digital signal; andthe blended ambient digital signal is blended with the at least one flash digital signal, in response to user input.