34results about How to "Dynamic range" patented technology

An image-sensing element has an array of photodiodes or other photodetecting elements and performs sigma-delta analog-to-digital conversion on the outputs of the photodetecting elements. The sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters have components divided between pixel-level and row-level structures, with each row-level structure connected to its pixel-level structures to define a multiplexed-input-separated sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter. The converter can include an integrator or can rely on an integration effect of the photodetecting element. The feedback required for sigma-delta analog-to-digital conversion can involve digital-to-analog converters located at each row-level structure or at each pixel-level structure.

An optical rangefinder based on time-of-flight measurement, radiates pulsed light toward an object (70), and receives reflected light from the object, the receiver operating in a photon counting mode, so as to generate a pulse for a detected photon. There is a variable probability of a photon detection on the receiver, and a controller (370, 380, 390; 365, 470, 475, 380, 390; 570, 580, 590, 390) controls the photon detection probability of the receiver, based on a light level. By controlling the detection probability according to a light level, the receiver can have an increased dynamic range, and without the expense of using optical components. This can apply even while detecting very weak signals since the receiver can still be in a photon counting mode while the detection probability is controlled. The light level can be indicated by an output of the receiver itself, or by another detector external to the receiver.

A transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a diaphragm-based ultrasonic transducer device using silicon as a base material. An electro-acoustic transducer device which can have a first electrode formed on top of, or inside, a substrate and having a thin film provided on top of the substrate. The device can also have a second electrode formed on top of, or inside, the thin film. A void layer can be provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. A charge-storage layer can be provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. A source electrode and a drain electrode can also be provided for measuring a quantity of electricity stored in the charge-storage layer.

Suppress deterioration in picture qualities while achieving expansion in a dynamic range.An image sensor readout method that reads out, from an area sensor where a plurality of image pickup elements are arranged in matrix, signal charges that are accumulated in the image pickup elements is constituted as follows. First, plural kinds of exposure time different in length from each other are set, and the exposure time is then individually allocated to each line of the area sensor. Next, the signal charges accumulated in the image pickup elements in the allocated exposure time are read out through a line unit of the area sensor. Then, the read out signal charges are synthesized through a screen unit of the area sensor.

In an imaging apparatus, an imaging unit generates an acquired image of a subject. A luminance information acquirer acquires the subject's luminance information. A detector detects the subject's luminance range on the basis of the acquired luminance information. An imaging controller sets a range of exposure control values having a step that corresponds to a value obtained by multiplying the detected luminance range by a predetermined coefficient k (where 0<k<1), and then uses the imaging unit to take multiple shots (i.e., multiple imagings) set with respectively different exposure control values within the range of exposure control values. An image compositor generates a composite image by compositing image portions extracted from the plurality of images obtained via the multiple shots. When just one shot is taken, the single exposure control value set for the one shot is contained within the range of the exposure control values.

A first image captured using a first exposure and a second image captured using a second exposure higher than the first exposure are obtained. A third image used as a reference for combining processing is created from the first image. An image, a dynamic range of which is extended, is created by weighted-combining the first and second images using adding coefficients, which are associated with pixel values of the third image in advance.

Method and apparatus for generating an at least two-dimensional image of at least part of a sample. The method involves scanning the sample. Acquiring at least one light signal by an optoelectronic detector for different areas of the sample. Converting the light signal into an electrical signal. Distributing the electrical signal onto several parallel evaluation channels whose signal evaluations differ from each other so that their dynamic ranges are different. Generating a result signal in each evaluation channel. Selecting at least one of the result signals as a function of one of the result signals in order to generate the image for the sample range concerned. It is also possible to generate one intermediate result signal for each channel, typically from the respective actual result signal and one or more other sources. Thus the signal selection depending on both the result signals and the intermediate result signals are possible.

An image pickup apparatus capable of ensuring a dynamic range suitable for an image shooting condition and capable of reducing noise. The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensing device having floating diffusion units that are provided corresponding to pixels and that convert electrical charges accumulated in the pixels into voltage signals, which are output as pixel signals from pixel amplifiers. At that time, according to an image shooting condition, at least parts of connection switches corresponding to the floating diffusion units are sequentially turned on or all the connection switches are turned off, whereby the connection switches are connected to or disconnected from connection lines to thereby change capacity components connected to pixel amplifiers. This contributes to dynamic range expansion or noise reduction.

An adaptive low-dropout regulator (LDO) having a wide voltage endurance range includes a power supply voltage tracker (P1), a voltage-current converter (101), an error amplifier (201), a current mirror circuit (102), and a dynamic voltage divider (103). One end of the power supply voltage tracker (P1) is connected to a Vdd, the other end thereof is connected to the voltage-current converter (101) connected to an input end of the current mirror circuit (102), and an output end of the current mirror circuit (102) is connected to sources of two input field effect transistors (N3, N4) in the error amplifier (201). Sources of two load field effect transistors (P2, P3) in the error amplifier (201) are connected to the Vdd. Dynamic voltage dividers (103A, 103B) are connected respectively between each of the input field effect transistors (N3, N4) and the corresponding load field effect transistors (P2, P3).

Various embodiments relate to a system for adapting a signal gain, which comprises a peak detector configured to receive an audio input signal containing consecutive signal blocks and to dynamically establish a current input signal level of the audio input signal, and a loudness determination unit configured to dynamically determine a perceived loudness of a current signal block of the audio input signal based on a psycho-acoustic model of a human hearing. Furthermore the system comprises a time constant generation unit configured to determine a time constant based on the perceived loudness of the current signal block and the perceived loudness of a preceding signal block, wherein the time constant describing a change of the signal gain. A gain determination unit is configured to determine the signal gain for the current signal block based on the time constant and the current input signal level.

An operational transconductance amplifier includes a fully-differential amplifying circuit, a bias driving circuit, and a common mode feedback circuit. The fully-differential amplifying circuit is configured for receiving a differential input voltage and providing a differential output voltage. The fully-differential amplifying circuit includes a plurality of diffusor-differential-pair circuits. The bias driving circuit is configured for providing at least one first bias current to drive the fully-differential amplifying circuit and adjust the transconductance of the transconductance amplifier. The common mode feedback circuit is configured for stabilizing the differential output voltage. An operational transconductance amplifier-capacitor (OTA-C) filter and a high order filter are disclosed herein as well.