Image sensor with sampling control function as well as multi-image sensor system and working method

Abstract

The invention provides an image sensor which has a sampling control function for reducing image data quantity and improving frame speed. The image sensor comprises a pixel array, a row decoder, an array decoder, a control module, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, a sequential control module, a register module, a selection module and an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus, wherein the selection module is respectively connected with the register module, the sequential control module and the row decoder and is used for controlling the image sensor to carry out specific sampling according to specific sampling pixel encoding information which is input from the outside. According to the invention, different specific sampling pixel encoding information is written in from the outside and the row position and quantity of sampling pixels can be changed at any time according to an application way of the image sensor, so that the application flexibility and the easiness in controlling of the sensor are extremely improved, and the cost of equipment is reduced. The image sensor provided by the invention can be specially applied to precise instruments including medical equipment, fingerprint identification, touch sensing, optical touch equipment and the like which have a special requirement on the mounting position of the image sensor.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to an image sensor for sampling control of a pixel array, a multi-image sensor system and a sampling method thereof, belonging to the field of image sensors and image processing. Background technique [0002] In recent years, image sensor devices have been deeply involved in users' lives, and have also made new developments, especially in terms of improving pixel resolution. The pixel values ​​contained in the pixel array of image sensors are getting higher and higher. Higher resolution will bring users a clearer picture, but at the same time, it will also generate excessive image data and lower frame rate, especially after high-resolution image sensors are integrated into various products, many Sometimes there is no need for a high-definition image containing full-frame image data information, but a downsampled image with a smaller amount of data for the device. The sampling function in the prior art usually adopts to extract a ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Depend on figure 1 It can be seen that the down-sampling timing diagram of the prior art shows that although the time for the sampled image to output a valid image (high level) is shortened, it still needs to occupy the same length of time as the entire frame of image output before proceeding to the next step. The reading of frame images does not achieve the effect of increasing the frame rate

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