Method and system for enhanced image sensor timing

Abstract

To provide combinations of normal imaging and advanced imaging of a medical device.SOLUTION: A stereoscopic image capture device includes a first image sensor 321L, a second image sensor 321R, a first frame timer 325L, and a second frame timer 325R. The first and second frame timers are different frame timers. The first image sensor includes a first plurality of rows of pixels. The second image sensor includes a second plurality of rows of pixels. The first and second image sensors can be separate devices or different areas of a sensor region in an integrated circuit. The first frame timer is coupled to the first image sensor to provide image capture timing signals to the first image sensor. The second frame timer is coupled to the second image sensor to provide image capture timing signals to the second image sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This application is a joint application filed on September 18, 2018, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED IMAGE SENSOR" This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 732,718, entitled "TIMING," the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] Aspects of the present invention relate to imaging of medical devices, and more particularly to combining conventional and advanced imaging. [Background technology]

[0003] Image capture devices are used in minimally invasive surgery. Various imaging modalities (visible, fluorescent, infrared, and hyperspectral scenes) are implemented using the image capture devices. However, each imaging modality utilizes one or more parameters, such as exposure time, that are different from the corresponding one or more parameters of other imaging modalities. This makes it difficult to use an image sensor configured for one imaging modality for a different imaging modality.

[0004] The problem of using a single image sensor for different imaging modalities becomes even more complicated when a stereoscopic image capture system is used and the image sensor is optimized to capture visible color scenes. As is known, image sensors contain pixels that capture and integrate light over time. To maximize the chip area available for the pixels, other circuitry on the image sensor is minimized.

[0005] For example, in a stereoscopic complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor integrated circuit, the sensor area is divided into two regions, the first region containing pixels capturing the left scene and the second region containing pixels capturing the right scene. Both regions of the sensor area have pixels arranged in rows and columns. There is a reset line and a row select line associated with each row of the sensor area, and a read line associated with each pixel in each row of the sensor area. To minimize the logic required in the integrated circuit, a common frame timer logic circuit is used to drive the reset lines and row select lines for both sensor areas.

[0006] Figure 1 is a timing diagram of a CMOS sensor integrated circuit that captures frames of pixel data using a rolling shutter. The timing diagram is the same for both channels of a stereoscopic image capture device. In Figure 1, an Nth frame 101 is captured, followed by an N+1th frame 102 and an N+2th frame 103. The N+1th frame 102 is sometimes referred to as frame 102.

[0007] In this example, the capture of line zero of frame N+1 102 is considered. (Lines of pixels and rows of pixels are the same thing.) The capture of each line of pixels in frame 102 is the same as the capture of line 0. Similarly, each frame is captured in the same manner as frame 102. Not all lines are captured simultaneously; for example, the image capture device does not have a mechanical shutter that blocks light from reaching the pixels after a predetermined time. Rather, each row of pixels is read sequentially. This is indicated by the diagonal line 102_S of frame 102. A round dot at the right end of each horizontal line indicates that the row select line is active, allowing the value of each pixel in the row to be read on that row's read line.

[0008] A signal on the reset line of each pixel in row 0 is activated, setting each pixel to a known state, allowing the pixels to reintegrate charge over a known time interval.

[0009] Following an active reset signal, the pixel accumulates a charge corresponding to the light incident on the pixel until the signal on the row zero select line is activated, at which point the charge accumulated in the pixel is made available on the readout line associated with the row. Each row in a frame is read in the same way. Once all rows have been read, a blank (BLNK) row is read to define the frame. The blank row ensures that the load on the power supply remains constant, thereby reducing noise in the captured frame. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The video viewing capabilities of the device are enhanced by incorporating an enhanced frame timer into the device to increase sensitivity to both visible and alternative modality scenes. For example, a stereoscopic image capture device includes a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a first frame timer, and a second frame timer. The first and second frame timers are different frame timers. The first image sensor includes a first plurality of pixel rows. The second image sensor includes a second plurality of pixel rows. The first and second image sensors may be separate devices or different regions of sensor area within an integrated circuit. The first frame timer is coupled to the first image sensor and provides an image capture timing signal to the first image sensor. The second frame timer is coupled to the second image sensor and provides an image capture timing signal to the second image sensor.

[0011] Dual frame timers offer many advantages. For example, one frame timer can be configured to provide a signal to one of the image sensors, allowing that image sensor to capture frames at a normal video rate. The other frame timer can be configured to provide a signal to the other image sensor, allowing that image sensor to capture a scene at a rate slower than the normal video rate. This allows the other image sensor to integrate available light over a longer period of time, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio. Specifically, in one aspect, a first frame timer is configured to provide an image capture timing signal for sequentially capturing N frames at the first image sensor. A second frame timer is configured to provide an image capture timing signal for capturing one frame at the second image sensor for every N frames captured at the first image sensor. Thus, each frame captured by the second image sensor integrates incident light over a longer period of time than the first image sensor. This can also be achieved if a first frame timer is configured to expose each row of a first plurality of pixel rows for a first exposure time, and a second frame timer is configured to expose each row of a second plurality of active pixels for a second exposure time, where the first exposure time is different from the second exposure time.

[0012] Improved signal-to-noise ratios can also be obtained with pixel binning. In this embodiment, the first image sensor of the stereoscopic image capture device includes, for example, a Bayer color filter array across a first plurality of pixel rows. Each location in the first plurality of pixel rows of the first image sensor includes a set of Bayer pixels. The first frame timer circuit is configured to combine each set of Bayer pixels in a row to form a single output pixel.

[0013] In one aspect, multiple pixel binning is used in combination with a longer exposure time for one of the image capture sensors, sometimes referred to as the image sensor. For example, a first image sensor of a stereoscopic image capture device includes a Bayer color filter array across a first plurality of pixel rows. Each location in the first plurality of pixel rows of the first image sensor includes a set of Bayer pixels. A first frame timer circuit is configured to combine each set of Bayer pixels into a row to form a single output pixel. The first frame timer is also configured to expose each row of the first plurality of active pixel rows for a first exposure time. A second frame timer is configured to expose each row of the second plurality of pixel rows for a second exposure time. The first exposure time is different from the second exposure time. This is advantageous, for example, when overlaying an augmented scene, such as a fluorescent scene, onto a monochrome scene of a surgical site.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells. Each of the plurality of pixel cells includes a plurality of pixels. In this embodiment, the first image sensor also includes a visible light color filter array including a plurality of different individual visible light color filters and an alternative light filter array including a plurality of individual alternative light filters. One individual alternative light filter of the plurality of individual alternative light filters covers both a first set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells. The first pixel cell is adjacent to the second pixel cell. Each of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters covers a different pixel in the first and second sets of pixels. The pixels covered by an individual visible light color filter of the plurality of different individual color filters are different from the pixels covered by the individual alternative light filter.

[0015] In this aspect, the first frame timer is configured to simultaneously reset pixels in first and second pixel cells that are covered by one of the plurality of different discrete visible light color filters, and the frame timer is also configured to simultaneously read a first pixel of the first pixel cell that is covered by one of the plurality of different discrete visible light color filters and a second pixel of the second pixel cell that is covered by one of the plurality of different discrete visible light color filters.

[0016] The first frame timer is also configured to simultaneously read a first pixel in a first set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second pixel in a second set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells. In this aspect, the image capture device is configured to bin the read first pixel and the read second pixel.

[0017] In another aspect, the first image sensor further includes a plurality of visible light color filtered cells interleaved with the plurality of alternating light filtered pixel cells.

[0018] In yet another aspect, an image capture device includes an image sensor. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel rows and a visible light color filter array. The visible light color filter array includes a plurality of different, individual visible light color filters. The plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells. Each of the plurality of pixel cells includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel of the plurality of pixels of the pixel cell is covered by a different color filter of the plurality of different, individual visible light color filters. A frame timer is coupled to the image sensor and provides an image capture timing signal to the image sensor. The frame timer is configured to combine the plurality of pixels of the pixel cells to form a single output pixel.

[0019] In a further aspect, an image capture device includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixel rows, a visible light color filter array, and an alternate light filter array. The plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells. Each of the plurality of pixel cells includes a plurality of pixels. The visible light color filter array includes a plurality of different individual visible light color filters. The alternate light filter array includes a plurality of individual alternate light filters. One individual alternate light filter of the plurality of individual alternate light filters covers both a first set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells. The first pixel cell is adjacent to the second pixel cell. Each of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters covers a different pixel in the first and second sets of pixels. The pixels covered by the individual visible light color filters of the plurality of individual visible light color filters are different from the pixels covered by the individual alternate light filters.

[0020] The image capture device also includes a frame timer coupled to the image sensor and configured to provide an image capture timing signal to the image sensor. For example, the frame timer is configured to simultaneously reset pixels in first and second pixel cells covered by one of the plurality of different discrete visible light color filters. The frame timer is also configured to simultaneously read a first pixel of the first pixel cell covered by one of the plurality of different discrete visible light color filters and a second pixel of the second pixel cell covered by one of the plurality of different discrete visible light color filters.

[0021] The first method includes exposing each row of a first plurality of pixel rows of a first image sensor of the stereoscopic image capture device for a first exposure time using a signal from a first frame timer, and the method also includes exposing each row of a second plurality of pixel rows of a second image sensor of the stereoscopic image capture device for a second exposure time using a signal from a second frame timer, the first exposure time being different from the second exposure time.

[0022] Another method includes outputting a single output pixel from a location within the image sensor that includes multiple Bayer pixels, the outputting step combining the multiple Bayer pixels at the location using a signal by a frame timer to form the single output pixel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a timing diagram for capturing a scene using a rolling shutter. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a computer-assisted surgery system including an enhanced frame timer that allows for the implementation of an alternative rolling shutter image capture sequence. [Figure 3] 1 is a more detailed view of a portion of a computer-assisted surgery system including a stereoscopic image capture device, where each channel of the stereoscopic image capture device has its own frame timer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram of one embodiment of capturing a scene with different exposure times using a rolling shutter in the stereoscopic image capture device of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a more detailed timing diagram of one embodiment of capturing a scene at different exposure times using a rolling shutter in the stereoscopic image capture device of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is a generalized diagram illustrating N frames being captured on one channel of the stereoscopic image capture device of FIG. 3 while only a single frame is captured on the other channel of the stereoscopic image capture device of FIG. 3. [Figure 7]1 is a more detailed diagram of a portion of a computer-assisted surgery system including an image capture device having a single image sensor and a single frame timer. [Figure 8A] 1 is a diagram of a frame timer and a portion of a pixel array of an image sensor, the image sensor including a Bayer color filter array including a set of Bayer pixels, sometimes referred to as Bayer pixels, at each location of the pixel array. [Figure 8B] 1 is a diagram of a frame timer and a portion of a pixel array of an image sensor, the image sensor including a visible light color filter array and an alternate light filter array. [Figure 8C] 1 is a diagram of another example of a frame timer and a portion of a pixel array of an image sensor, the image sensor including a visible light color filter array and an alternate light filter array. [Figure 9A] FIG. 8B is a timing diagram for multiple pixel binning at the pixel array location of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9B] FIG. 8C is a timing diagram of the image capture device of FIG. 8B. [Figure 9C] FIG. 8D is a timing diagram of the read and reset sequence for the unbinned pixels of rows 0 and 1 of the image capture device of FIG. 8C. [Figure 9D] FIG. 8D is a timing diagram of the readout and reset sequence of the four-way binned hyperspectral pixels of rows 0 and 1 of the image capture device of FIG. 8C. [Figure 9E] FIG. 8D is a timing diagram of the read and reset sequence for the unbinned pixels of rows 2 and 3 of the image capture device of FIG. 8C. [Figure 9F] FIG. 8D is a timing diagram of the readout and reset sequence for the four-way binned hyperspectral pixels of rows 2 and 3 of the image capture device of FIG. 8C. [Figure 10] 4A-4C illustrate some combinations that can be obtained using the stereoscopic image capture device of FIG. 3, including dual frame timer logic and various timing sequences. [Figure 11]8A-8C illustrate various combinations of frame timer timing sequences that can be implemented using the image capture device of FIG. 7. In the drawings, the first digit of an element's reference number indicates the figure of that single-digit figure number in which the element first appears. The first two digits of an element's reference number indicate the figure of that two-digit figure number in which the element first appears. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Aspects of the present invention enhance the video capture and video viewing capabilities of surgical devices, for example, computer-assisted surgical systems such as the da Vinci® Surgical System commercialized by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, California, by incorporating an enhanced frame timer to increase the sensitivity of both the visible scene and the alternate modality scenes used to identify tissues or other aspects of clinical interest during surgery. (da Vinci® is a trademark of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, California.) (This is a registered trademark of Surgical, Inc.) Although computer-assisted surgery systems are used herein as examples, aspects of the present invention may be used with any device or system that utilizes alternative imaging modalities.

[0025] The enhanced frame timer 122 (Figure 2) utilizes a new type of pixel control sequence, which, in one aspect, is implemented with low overhead in digital logic. These control sequences are designed to enhance the sensitivity of alternative imaging modes (hyperspectral, fluorescence, high dynamic range, etc.).

[0026] Typical complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor frame timers in image capture systems use a set of state machines to control signals to the reset, transfer, and row-select lines of the image sensor pixel array. These state machines typically output a simple series of pulses, allowing for shutter width adjustments and scene flips. While typical frame time circuits are designed around the specific pixel cells used (e.g., four-way shared pixel cells), traditional imaging applications do not allow access to low-level timing signals. Typical frame timer circuits allow users to select values ​​from a limited set of parameters, such as setting shutter and row times or frame rates, or modifying the timing for certain high dynamic range (HDR) modes. While many alternative timing sequences are possible with the four-way shared pixel cells referenced here, traditional frame timers designed for typical consumer applications treat these shared pixel cells as a non-shared array and simply scan the pixels row by row and column by column. In one aspect, the enhanced frame timer 222 of the image capture system 220 includes enhanced fixed logic that enables it to generate more sequences of pulses on the reset, transfer, and row select lines of the image sensor 221 than was possible with previous CMOS sensor frame timers.

[0027] In another embodiment, enhanced frame timer 222 is implemented with a soft frame timer, where a pulse sequence is downloaded to a memory, such as a RAM block, and enhanced frame timer 222 reads the pulse sequence and generates signals for the reset, transfer, and row select lines of image sensor 221. This has the advantage that new sequences can be added after silicon release for image sensor 221 including frame timer 222.

[0028] Thus, aspects of the present invention provide new flexibility for the enhanced frame timer 222 associated with the image sensor 221. This flexibility allows for the exposure for advanced imaging modes (hyperspectral, fluorescence, etc.) to be separated from the exposure used for visible light imaging on the image sensor 221. This allows for various tradeoffs to be made, such as slowing down the frame rate of the advanced imaging data, to improve sensitivity.

[0029] Another way the enhanced frame timer 122 improves advanced imaging performance is through on-chip binning of pixels covered by a single filter element. On-chip binning provides noise reduction compared to individual sampling and binning in the digital domain. Typical image sensors bin pixels in either a monochrome sensor or a Bayer pattern. However, the hyperspectral filters available for fitting to the image sensor 221 are larger than the pixel size of typical image sensors. As a result, the enhanced frame timer 222 selects pixel cells to enable binning tailored to the desired filter pixel size as well as the pixel size of the image sensor 221.

[0030] In a stereo image sensor, the two active areas on the image sensor 221 are typically read synchronously, which minimizes artifacts in the displayed 3D video. However, when the stereo image sensor is used for a combination of white light imaging and advanced imaging, the enhanced frame timer 222 allows for different exposures on the two active areas while combining the captured pixel data into a single stream for transmission.

[0031] The enhanced frame timer 122 also enables more sensitive and advanced imaging by covering different lines of the active area of ​​the image sensor 221, or one of the active areas of a stereo image sensor, with different filter materials, for example, one active area configured for visible imaging and the other active area configured for fluorescent imaging without a filter.

[0032] In most cases, it is desirable to simultaneously acquire advanced imaging data along with the visible light scene. The enhanced frame timer 222 utilizes a method for interlacing different exposure settings per color or per row of a single image sensor with a conventional video image. The alternative pixel timing sequences used for advanced imaging modes can also be used for high dynamic range visible light imaging, for example, by exposing the green pixels of a typical Bayer pattern differently.

[0033] Finally, the same frame timer enhancements used to enable advanced imaging can be applied to the standard Bayer pattern, with four-way shared pixel cells allowing a simple means of exposing different colors by different amounts to improve noise performance in conventional imaging.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a high-level schematic diagram of a computer-assisted surgery system 200, such as a da Vinci® surgical system. In this example, a surgeon using a surgeon console 210 remotely controls an endoscope 201 using a robotic manipulator arm 213. The surgeon may also operate surgical instruments attached to other robotic manipulator arms. There are other components, cables, etc. associated with the computer-assisted surgery system 200, but these are not shown in FIG. 2 to avoid detracting from the present disclosure. Further information regarding computer-assisted surgery systems can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0065105 (filed June 13, 2007; disclosing a "Minimally Invasive Surgical System") and U.S. Patent No. 6,331,181 (filed December 18, 2001; disclosing a "Surgical Robotic Tools, Data Architecture, and Use”), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] An illumination system (not shown) is coupled to or alternatively included within the endoscope 201. In one aspect, the illumination system provides white light illumination or a combination of white light illumination and alternative imaging mode illumination, such as hyperspectral illumination. In one aspect, all or a portion of this light is coupled into at least one illumination path within the endoscope 201. In another aspect, the illumination source is located at or near the distal tip of the endoscope 201. In one aspect, both the visible white light illumination and the alternative imaging mode illumination are constant during the surgical procedure. In another aspect, the visible illumination is constant over time, but the spectrum of the alternative imaging mode illumination changes over time.

[0036] In this embodiment, light from endoscope 201 illuminates tissue 203 of patient 211. Endoscope 201, in one embodiment, is a stereoscopic endoscope that includes two optical channels, e.g., a left optical channel and a right optical channel, that pass light from tissue 203 to image sensor 221, which includes two sensing areas, one capturing the left scene and the other capturing the right scene. In another embodiment, endoscope 201 is a monoscopic endoscope that includes a single optical channel for passing light from the tissue to image sensor 221, in which case image sensor 221 includes a single sensing area.

[0037] As described more fully below, for both types of endoscopes, the reflected white light is captured by the image capture system 220 as a visible light frame. The visible light frame includes a visible scene, for example, including a tissue scene, and may also be referred to as a visible frame. The non-visible light and / or emitted light reflected from the tissue is captured by the image capture system 220 as an augmented light frame. The light-augmented frame may include, for example, a hyperspectral scene of the tissue 203 or other features within the field of view of the endoscope 201, or fluorescence from the tissue 203. In another aspect, the light-augmented frame includes differentially exposed pixels, which may be used in generating a high dynamic range scene. The light-augmented frame may also be referred to as an augmented frame.

[0038] In one embodiment, the camera of the image capture system 220 is mounted at the proximal end of the endoscope 201. In another embodiment, the camera is mounted at the distal end of the endoscope 201, where the camera includes at least a frame timer and an image sensor. Here, distal means closer to the surgical site, and proximal means further from the surgical site. In one embodiment, the camera captures visible and enhanced frames via the same front end optics. This is in contrast to systems that utilize special front end optics to capture, for example, hyperspectral frames.

[0039] Figure 3 is a more detailed diagram of one example aspect of the computer-assisted surgery system 200 of Figure 2. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the computer-assisted surgery system 200 includes an illuminator that is a combined light source 310. The combined light source 310 includes a visible light illuminator 311, e.g., a white light source, and a light-enhancing illuminator 312. The particular implementation of illuminators 311 and 312 is not important, so long as the combined light source 310 has the capabilities described more fully below.

[0040] In this embodiment, the combined light source 310 is used in conjunction with at least one illumination path within the stereoscopic endoscope 201 to illuminate the tissue 203. In one embodiment, the combined light source 310 has at least two modes of operation: a normal viewing mode and an enhanced viewing mode.

[0041] In normal viewing mode, the visible light illuminator 311 provides illumination by illuminating the tissue 203 with white light. The light intensifier 312 is not used in normal viewing mode.

[0042] In an enhanced viewing mode, the visible light illuminator 311 provides illumination that illuminates the tissue 203 with white light. In one embodiment, the light enhancement illuminator 312 provides illumination that illuminates the tissue 203 with hyperspectral light, such as light in the near-infrared spectrum, or light that excites fluorescence.

[0043] The use of near-infrared light as an example of hyperspectral illumination is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting to this particular aspect. In light of the present disclosure, one skilled in the art can select hyperspectral illumination that causes non-salient features of the captured visible frame to become salient in the captured enhanced frame.

[0044] In one aspect, visible light illuminator 311 includes a light source for each of the different visible color illumination components. In a red-green-blue embodiment, in one example, the light sources are lasers: a red laser, two green lasers, and a blue laser. In one aspect, the light from visible light illuminator 311 has its spectrum shaped so that the light appears to the human eye with a purple hue. See WO 2015 / 142800, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] The use of a laser in the visible light illuminator 311 is exemplary only and is not intended to be limiting. The visible light illuminator 311 could also be implemented using, for example, multiple light emitting diode (LED) sources instead of lasers. Alternatively, the visible light illuminator 311 could use a xenon lamp with an elliptical back reflector and bandpass filter coating to create broadband white illumination for the visible scene. The use of a xenon lamp is also exemplary only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, high-pressure mercury arc lamps, other arc lamps, or other broadband light sources could also be used.

[0046] The implementation of the light-enhancing illuminator 312 depends on the light spectrum of interest. Typically, one or more laser modules, one or more light-emitting diodes are used as the light-enhancing illuminator 312.

[0047] In normal and enhanced viewing modes, light from visible light illuminator 311, or light from visible light illuminator 311 and light from light enhanced illuminator 312, is directed to connector 316, which provides light to the illumination path of stereoscopic endoscope 201, which then directs this light to tissue 203. Each of connector 316 and the illumination path of stereoscopic endoscope 201 can be implemented using, for example, a fiber optic bundle, a single rigid or flexible rod, or an optical fiber.

[0048] Light from the surgical site 203 (FIG. 3) is passed to cameras 320L, 320R by stereoscopic optical channels, such as left and right optical channels or first and second optical channels, within endoscope 201. The use of two separate cameras 320L and 320R is for ease of illustration and discussion and should not be construed as requiring two separate cameras or two separate image capture units. The components of cameras 320L and 320R can be combined into one unit.

[0049] As described more fully below, the left camera 320L includes a left image sensor 321L. The left image sensor 321L captures light received from the left channel of the stereoscopic endoscope 302 as a left frame 322L. Similarly, the right camera 320R includes a right image sensor 321R. The right image sensor 321R captures light received from the right channel of the stereoscopic endoscope 302 as a right frame 322R. The left image sensor 321L and the right image sensor 321R may be separate sensors or different active areas of a single sensor. Again, the use of left and right is intended to facilitate distinction between the first and second sensors.

[0050] Camera 320L includes a first frame timer circuit 325L, sometimes referred to as frame timer 325L, which in this embodiment is coupled to left camera control unit 330L and left image sensor 321L. Camera 320R includes a second frame timer circuit 325R, sometimes referred to as frame timer 325R, which in this embodiment is coupled to right camera control unit 330R and right image sensor 321R. The use of individual frame timers for each image sensor enhances imaging capabilities compared to a configuration using a common frame timer for all image sensors. The use of individual frame timers 325L, 325R allows for the separation of exposure for advanced imaging modes (e.g., hyperspectral, fluorescence) captured by one image sensor from exposure used for visible light imaging by the other image sensor. This allows for various tradeoffs to be made to improve sensitivity, such as slowing the frame rate of advanced imaging data. Another way to improve advanced imaging performance using individual frame timers is to perform on-chip binning of pixels covered by a single filter element, which reduces noise compared to individual sampling and binning in the digital domain.

[0051] Camera 320L is coupled to a stereoscopic display 351 of surgeon console 210 by a left camera control unit 330L and an image processing module 340. Image processing module 340 is part of image processing system 130. Camera 320R is coupled to a stereoscopic display 351 of surgeon console 210 by a right camera control unit 330R and an image processing module 340. Camera control units 330L, 330R receive signals from a system processing control module 362. System processing control module 362 represents various controllers within system 300.

[0052] Display mode selection switch 352 provides a signal to user interface 361, which then passes the selected display mode to system processing control module 362. Various controllers within system processing control module 362 configure lighting controller 315, configure left and right camera control units 330L and 330R to acquire the desired scene, and configure other elements within image processing module 340 necessary to process the acquired scene so that the surgeon-requested scene is presented on stereoscopic display 351. Image processing module 340 implements an image processing pipeline equivalent to known image processing pipelines.

[0053] The video output on the stereoscopic display 351 can be toggled between normal and enhanced viewing modes by using, for example, a foot switch, a double-click on the master grip used to control the surgical instruments, voice control, and other switching methods. The toggle for switching between viewing modes is represented in FIG. 3 as a display mode selection switch 352.

[0054] The central controller 360 and system processing control module 362 are similar to conventional systems, except in aspects described more fully below. Although described as a central controller 360, it should be understood that the central controller 360 may actually be implemented by any number of modules, and each module may include any combination of components. Each module and component may include hardware, software running on a processor, firmware, or any combination of the three.

[0055] Also, as described herein, the functions and operations of central controller 360 and system processing control module 362 may be performed by one module or may be divided among different modules or even among different components of a module. When divided among different modules or components, the modules or components may be centralized in one location or distributed throughout system 200 for purposes of distributed processing. Thus, central controller 360 and system processing control module 362 should not be construed as requiring a single physical entity, as in some aspects both are distributed throughout system 200.

[0056] Further information regarding computer-assisted surgical systems can be found, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 762,165 (filed Jun. 23, 2007; disclosing "Minimally Invasive Surgical System"), U.S. Patent No. 6,837,883 (filed Oct. 5, 2001; disclosing "Arm Cart for Telerobotic Surgical System"), and U.S. Patent No. 6,331,181 (filed Dec. 28, 2001; disclosing "Surgical Robotic Tools, Data Architecture, and Use"), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] 3, cameras 320L, 320R and combined light source 310 are shown as being external to endoscope 201. However, in one aspect, cameras 320L, 320R and light source 310 are included in the distal tip of endoscope 201 and are adjacent to tissue 203. Also, left image sensor 321L and right image sensor 321R may be different active areas of the sensor area of ​​an integrated circuit chip that includes left frame timer circuit 325L and right frame timer circuit 325R.

[0058] System controller 320 (FIG. 3) is shown as a unified structure for ease of illustration and understanding. This is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. The various components of system controller 320 can be located remotely and still perform the functions described.

[0059] Stereoscopic image capture with alternative frame timing In some embodiments, a first scene captured by left image sensor 321L is presented to a left eye viewer of stereoscopic display 351, and a second scene captured by right image sensor 321R is presented to a right eye viewer of stereoscopic display 351. For example, a normal color scene of the surgical site is presented to the user's left eye, and an enhanced scene of the surgical site is presented to the user's right eye.

[0060] Typically, the intensified scene captured by one image sensor is significantly less intense than the intensity of the color scene captured by the other image sensor. Previously, the intensity difference was compensated for by digitally processing the captured scene. Unfortunately, this can introduce noise, for example, caused by amplifying low signal levels.

[0061] In this embodiment, frame timers 325L and 325R are configured to read data from left image sensor 321L and right image sensor 321R at different rates. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a visible color scene, i.e., a reflected white light scene, is captured by left image sensor 321L at a normal rate, e.g., 60 frames per second. An enhanced scene, e.g., a fluorescent scene or a hyperspectral scene, is captured by right image sensor 321R at a slower rate, e.g., 30 frames per second. FIG. 4 illustrates a rolling shutter implementation with frame timer 325L for left image sensor 321L and a rolling shutter implementation with frame timer 325R for right image sensor 321R.

[0062] In this example, each of the left and right image sensors 321L and 321R is assumed to have (m+2) rows of pixels, i.e., (m+1) active rows and dummy rows, where the active rows are numbered from 0 to m.

[0063] Frame timer 325L repeatedly provides signals on the transmit, reset, and select lines so that image sensor 321L captures each of frames 401L, 402L, 403L, 404L, and 405L in the same manner and at the same time. In this example, the capture of frame 402L, and specifically row zero (0) of frame 402L, is considered. The capture of each pixel row in frame 402L is the same as row zero.

[0064] As previously noted, with a rolling shutter, not all active rows of image sensor 321L are captured simultaneously. For example, camera 320L does not have a mechanical shutter that blocks light from reaching pixels after a predetermined time. Rather, each pixel row is read sequentially. This is illustrated by diagonal line 402L-S of frame 402L. Diagonal line 402L-S represents the rolling shutter for the capture of frame 402L by image sensor 321L. Frames 401L, 403L, 404L, and 405L have equivalent rolling shutters 401L-S, 403L-S, 404L-S, and 405L-S, respectively.

[0065] To allow each pixel in the row to reintegrate charge, the signal on the reset line for the row is activated. The square at the left end of each horizontal line in Figure 4 represents the signal on the reset line for that row being activated. Thus, square 402L-0-RST represents the reset signal for row 0 in frame 402L being activated, thereby setting each pixel in row 0 to a known state and beginning to accumulate charge corresponding to the light incident on that pixel.

[0066] The round dot at the right end of each horizontal line in Figure 4 indicates that the signal on the row select line for that row is activated, causing the values ​​of each pixel in that row to be read. As each pixel in a row is read, the shutter for that row is effectively closed. Thus, dot 402L-0-SLCT represents the row select signal for row zero in frame 402L being activated, thereby causing the values ​​of each pixel in row zero to be read.

[0067] The time 402L-0-EXP from when the pixels of row 0 in frame 402L are set to a known state to when the row select line for row 0 is activated and the pixel values ​​of row 0 are read is the exposure time for that row. Thus, frame timer 325L can control the exposure time of a row in a frame by controlling the time interval from when the row select signal for the row in the previous frame is activated to when the reset signal for the row in the current frame is activated.

[0068] Once all active rows in a frame have been read, the dummy rows of image sensor 321L are read. The time intervals used to read the dummy rows are time interval 401L-BLNK for frame 401L, time interval 402L-BLNK for frame 402L, time interval 403L-BLNK for frame 403L, time interval 404L-BLNK for frame 404L, and time interval 405L-BLNK for frame 405. While blanking is a typical feature of video timing, blanking is useful for processing and display, and any blanking and dummy row readout is not required to use any of the pixel timing sequences described herein.

[0069] The operation of frame timer 325R with respect to resetting rows of pixels and reading rows of pixels is equivalent to that just described for frame timer 325L, except that various signals are activated at a slower rate. Frame 401R is captured at the same time interval that frames 402L and 403L are captured, while frame 402R is captured at the same time interval that frames 404L and 405L are captured.

[0070] Line 401R-S represents the rolling shutter for frame 401R. Square 402R-0-RST represents the reset signal for row 0 in frame 401R going active, setting each pixel in row 0 to a known state and beginning to accumulate charge corresponding to the light incident on that pixel. Dot 402R-0-SLCT represents the row select signal for row 0 going active in frame 401R, reading the values ​​of each pixel in row 0. The time 401R-0-EXP from when the pixels in row 0 in frame 401R are set to a known state to when the row select line for row 0 goes active and the pixel values ​​for row 0 are read is the exposure time for that row.

[0071] Once all active rows in frame 401R have been read, the dummy rows of image sensor 321L are read. The time interval used to read the dummy rows is time interval 401R-BLNK for frame 401R.

[0072] 4 shows that the frames of the left image sensor 321L are read at a normal rate while the frames of the right image sensor 321R are read at half the rate, allowing the right image sensor 321R to integrate incident light over a longer period of time, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio compared to capturing frames at the right image sensor 321R at a normal rate and then digitally amplifying the captured signal.

[0073] Figure 5 is a more detailed timing diagram of the reset and select signals generated by frame timers 325L and 325R. Note that the timing diagram is for a frame of interest to illustrate the different exposure times of the two image sensors. Figure 5 does not include all of the signals for the frame of Figure 4.

[0074] The reference numbers for the pulses in Figure 5 are the same as the corresponding reference numbers in Figure 4. However, there are some additional reference numbers in Figure 5. The key to the reference numbers in Figures 4 and 5 is as follows: xxxy-s-name, where xxx is the reference number of the frame in Figure 4, y represents the channel (right or left) in this example, s is the row number, 0 to m for the active row, and D for the dummy row. And the name is, RST=reset row, SLCT=select row, and EXP=exposure time.

[0075] Frame timer 325L generates active row reset signals 401L-0-RST through 401L-m-RST in time sequence for each row 0 through m of image sensor 321L. Following the exposure time for each row, frame timer 325L generates active row select signals 401L-0-SLCT through 401L-m-SLCT in time sequence for each row 0 through m of image sensor 321L.

[0076] After each active row is reset, frame timer 325L generates an active dummy row reset signal 401L-D-RST for the dummy row of image sensor 321L, and after the exposure time, frame timer 325L generates an active row select signal 401L-D-SLCT for the dummy row of image sensor 321L. After generating the dummy row signal, frame timer 325L continues to generate row reset and row select signals for each subsequent frame captured by image sensor 321L.

[0077] Frame timer 325R operates differently from frame timer 325L. Frame timer 325L generates active row reset signals 401R-0-RST through 401L-m-RST for each row 0 through m of image sensor 321R in time sequence, but then frame timer 325R generates active reset signals for dummy rows until it either stops generating active row reset signals or it is time to start capturing the next frame.

[0078] After the capture of the previous frame in image sensor 321R is completed, frame timer 325R generates dummy row select signal 401R-D-SLCT until exposure time 401R-0-EXP of the 0th row in image sensor 321R has elapsed, and then frame timer 325R generates active row select signals 401R-0-SLCT to 401L-m-SLCT for each row 0 to m of image sensor 321R in time sequence.

[0079] In this example, the exposure time of the frame captured by image sensor 321R is twice as long as the exposure time of the frame captured by image sensor 321L, but this approach of using two image sensors to capture a scene with different exposures can be generalized as shown in FIG.

[0080] In Figure 6, frame timer 325L is configured to sequentially capture N frames (frame 0 to frame (N-1)) on image sensor 321L, while frame timer 325R captures one frame (frame 0) on image sensor 321R, where N is, in one embodiment, a positive number greater than zero. Thus, the exposure time of a frame captured on image sensor 321R is N times the exposure time of a frame captured on the image sensor. Figure 5 shows the case where N is 2.

[0081] Pixel Binning Aspects of pixel binning, described more fully below, can be implemented in the stereoscopic computer-assisted surgery system 200 of FIG. 3 or the monoscopic system 700 of FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the image sensor 321, the image 322, and the camera control unit 330 are equivalent to the image sensors 321R, 321L, the frames 322R, 322L, and the camera control units 330R, 330L, and therefore descriptions of these elements will not be repeated here. Similarly, the image processing module 740, the surgeon's console 714 including the display 751, the central controller 760, and the system processing control module 762 are equivalent to the corresponding elements in FIG. 3 for either the left or right channel of FIG. 3. Endoscope 701 is similar to endoscope 302, except that it has only a single optical channel transmitting light from tissue 203 to camera 720. Thus, the monoscopic system 700 is equivalent to the system of FIG. 3 with one of the left and right channels removed. As such, the description will not be further detailed as it would be a repetition of the description of the elements of FIG.

[0082] Bayer color filter array for multi-pixel binning 8A is a diagram of a representative portion of a Bayer color filter on a CMOS image sensor including a novel frame timer 825A and a four-way shared pixel cell. Thus, FIG. 8A is an example of a portion of an image capture unit having an image sensor 821A including a Bayer color filter array and a frame timer 825A. Image sensor 821A and frame timer 825A are examples of image sensor 321L and frame timer 325L, image sensor 321R and frame timer 325R, or image sensor 321 and frame timer 325.

[0083] Each location in the image sensor contains multiple pixels. In Figure 8, only four locations are shown: (0,0), (0,1), (1,0), and (1,1). Each location contains four pixels connected to a shared column line, making it a four-way shared pixel cell. Other locations of image sensor 821A, not shown, are arranged in a corresponding manner.

[0084] In this example, each pixel is covered by a filter of the Bayer color filter array. As is known, in a Bayer color filter array, 50% of the filters are green filters, 25% are red filters R, and 25% are blue filters B. In this example, for ease of discussion, the green filter is divided into a first green filter Gr and a second green filter Gb. In this example, the two green filters use the same filter dye and pass the same wavelength range. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the filters of the Bayer color filter array and the pixels of the image sensor 821A, meaning that in this embodiment, each pixel of the image sensor 821A is covered by a different filter of the Bayer color filter array. Although the Bayer color filter array is used as an example, the color filter array does not need to have this specific configuration. Color filter arrays with different colors or different ratios of different colors can also be used in the applications described herein.

[0085] A pixel covered with a red filter R is referred to as a red pixel R. A pixel covered with a first green filter Gr is referred to as a first green pixel Gr. A pixel covered with a second green filter Gb is referred to as a second green pixel Gb. A pixel covered with a blue filter B is referred to as a blue pixel B. Thus, in FIG. 8A , each location includes a red pixel, first and second green pixels, and a blue pixel. Also, in FIGS. 8A and 8B , rows are shown as extending vertically and columns are shown as extending horizontally. This is for ease of explanation and should not be construed as limiting the rows and columns of the image sensor to any particular orientation. The configuration described more fully below operates identically regardless of the row and column orientation.

[0086] Each row driver of the image sensor 821A is connected to a different row of pixels. A first transmission line Tx_1 connects the row driver to each red pixel in the second row connected to the row driver. A second transmission line Tx_2 connects the row driver to each second green pixel in the second row connected to the row driver. A third transmission line Tx_3 connects the row driver to each first green pixel in the first row connected to the row driver. A fourth transmission line Tx_4 connects the row driver to each blue pixel in the first row connected to the row driver.

[0087] A reset line RESET connects the row driver to a shared column driver SHARED at each of the two rows associated with the row driver. A select line SELECT connects the row driver to a shared column driver SHARED at each of the two rows associated with the row driver. In one aspect, each shared column driver SHARED is a single floating diffusion charge storage node.

[0088] Frame timer 825A is connected to each row driver of image sensor 821A by a plurality of lines, which in this example include 21 lines.

[0089] Ten of the 21 lines are row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0>, which carry the address of the row being accessed by frame timer 825A.

[0090] Three of the 21 lines are the row select line ROW_SELECT, the reset set line RST_SET, and the reset clear line RST_CLR. An active signal on the row select line ROW_SELECT causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the select line SELECT. An active signal on the reset set line RST_SET causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the reset line RESET.

[0091] An active signal on the reset clear line RST_CLR causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an inactive signal on the reset line RESET.

[0092] Four of the 21 lines are transmit set lines TX_SET<4,1>, and another four of the 21 lines are transmit clear lines TX_CLR<4,1>. Each of the transmit set lines TX_SET<4,1> is coupled to a different one of the first transmit line Tx_1, the second transmit line Tx_2, the third transmit line Tx_3, and the fourth transmit line Tx_4 via a row driver. For example, the transmit set line TX_SET(1) is coupled to the first transmit line Tx_1, the transmit set line TX_SET(2) is coupled to the second transmit line Tx_2, etc. Similarly, each of the transmit set lines TX_CLR<4,1> is coupled to a different one of the first transmit line Tx_1, the second transmit line Tx_2, the third transmit line Tx_3, and the fourth transmit line Tx_4 via a row driver. For example, the transmit clear line TX_CLR(1) is coupled to the first transmit line Tx_1, the transmit clear line TX_CLR(2) is coupled to the second transmit line Tx_2, and so on.

[0093] An active signal on the transmit set line TX_SET(1) causes the row driver addressed by the address on row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the first transmit line Tx_1, and similarly for the other transmit set lines. An active signal on the transmit clear line TX_CLR(1) causes the row driver addressed by the address on row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an inactive signal on the first transmit line Tx_1, and similarly for the other transmit lines.

[0094] The reset set line RST_SET, reset clear line RST_CLR, transmit set line TX_SET<4,1>, and transmit clear line TX_CLR<4,1> allow pulses to be sent to different rows during a single row time, and the pulses may be longer than the time between them. When the transmit set line TX_SET1 is activated, the particular first transmit line Tx_1 with the matching row address becomes active and remains high until the same first transmit line Tx_1 is again addressed and the transmit clear line TX_CLR1 becomes active. Lines TX_SETx and TX_CLRx, and RST_SET and RST_CLR, are driven with short pulses that control the timing of the edges of longer pulses such as those on line Tx_1. Thus, these lines allow pulses to be sent to different rows during a single row time, and the pulses may be longer than the time between them.

[0095] In this example, the timing (control) uses a particular type of row driver circuit to address each row and uses latches on each row signal to generate pulses that go to the pixel row control lines TXn, SEL, and RESET. There are other ways to implement this logic; specifically, the same timing for the pixel control lines can be generated with other types of logic and the same concepts apply.

[0096] Also, these examples use a four-way shared pixel cell, where the output portion of the four-way shared pixel cell is shared among the four pixels in the Bayer group. This is particularly useful for alternate frame timing, but the examples shown here can also be applied to other pixel sharing configurations.

[0097] The layout of the pixel array, row drivers, input lines to the row drivers, and output lines of the row drivers of image sensor 821A is known and therefore will not be described in detail herein. A novel aspect is the sequence of signals provided by frame timer 825A on the input lines to image sensor 821A, which provides enhanced image sensor timing and, as a result, enhanced imaging capabilities.

[0098] FIG. 8A illustrates an image capture device including an image sensor coupled to a frame timer. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel rows and a visible light color filter array. The visible light color filter array includes a plurality of different visible light color filters, which are represented in FIG. 8A by red, two green, and blue visible light color filters. The plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells, each of which includes a plurality of pixels. In the example of FIG. 8A, the pixel cells are identified by positions (0,0), (0,1), (1,0), and (1,1). Each of the plurality of pixels of the pixel cell is covered by a different one of a plurality of different visible light color filters. In the example of FIG. 8A, each of the plurality of pixels of the pixel cell located at position (0,0) is covered by one of red, two green, and blue visible light color filters. The frame timer is coupled to the image sensor and provides an image capture timing signal to the image sensor.

[0099] 9A shows a timing diagram for pixel binning of four pixels at the row position of FIG. 8A as part of a rolling shutter. In this embodiment, frame timer 825A simultaneously transmits an active signal on each transmit set line TX_SET<4,1> and an active signal on reset set line RST_SET. In response to these signals, the addressed row drivers simultaneously drive active transmit signals on the first transmit line Tx_1, the second transmit line Tx_2, the third transmit line Tx_3, and the fourth transmit line Tx_4, and an active reset signal on line RESET, as shown in FIG.

[0100] To read a pixel, after an appropriate exposure time, the frame timer 825A simultaneously transmits an active signal on each transmit set line TX_SET<4,1> and an active signal on the row select line ROW_SELECT. In response to these signals, the addressed row driver simultaneously drives an active transmit signal on each of the first transmit line Tx_1, the second transmit line Tx_2, the third transmit line Tx_3, and the fourth transmit line Tx_4, and an active signal on the row select line SELECT, as shown in FIG.

[0101] Since all four pixels at a location are connected to a shared column line at the same time and are, for example, read out at the same time, this improves the signal-to-noise level compared to integrating four pixels in the analog stage and then performing the same integration during the digital processing stage. Combining pixels in this way comes with a trade-off: in exchange for a 50% reduction in noise level, all color information is lost, as well as some spatial resolution.

[0102] When a single image sensor is used, as in FIG. 7, pixel binning can be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the captured scene. When a stereoscopic image sensor is used, as in FIG. 3, one image sensor can be used to capture a color scene at a normal frame rate, while the other sensor can be used to capture a scene at a slower frame rate with pixel binning. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, reset and select signals for the slower frame rate sensor are generated for each row, as described with respect to FIG. 9A, so that the slower frame rate and pixel binning are combined. Alternatively, when a stereoscopic image sensor is used, in one aspect, both image sensors capture frames at the same frame rate, e.g., the normal frame rate, but one of the image sensors uses pixel binning. Thus, for each frame time interval, a full spatial resolution color frame is captured along with a monochrome frame with a low noise level. Both frames contain the same scene, and the spatial relationship between the two frames is known.

[0103] Multi-pixel binning with visible light color filter arrays and alternative light filter arrays Another aspect uses an interleaved array of visible color filters and alternative light (hyperspectral or other wavelength band) filters on a CMOS image sensor that includes a novel frame timer and a four-way shared pixel cell.

[0104] As used herein, an alternative light filter refers to a filter that filters out light other than visible light. An alternative light filter includes a plurality of individual alternative light filters, each configured to cover one or more image sensor pixels, typically multiple image sensor pixels. An individual alternative light filter may also be referred to as a pixel of the alternative light filter. Similarly, a visible light color filter array includes a plurality of different individual visible light color filters.

[0105] Visible color filter arrays using organic dyes, such as Bayer color filter arrays, are well known and can be applied to small (<2 μm) pixels. Other filter technologies that can select other wavelengths, narrow bands of wavelengths, or polarizations of light are also well known, but the manufacturing processes required for these alternative filters do not allow for filter pixel sizes comparable to the pixel size of the image sensor, and therefore are not currently applicable to the small pixel structures found in typical image sensors. Typically, the pixel size of the alternative filters is a multiple of the pixel size of the image sensor.

[0106] To overcome this problem for image sensors used in endoscopes, a single image sensor is used to capture both conventional color images and images of other wavelength bands using a filter structure such as that shown in Figure 9B. To compensate for the larger pixel size of the alternating optical filters, a single pixel's red-green-blue (RGB) filter is interleaved with an array of individual alternating optical filters, which in this example cover a 2 x 2 pixel cell of the image sensor.

[0107] The specific structure of the image sensor with the four-way shared pixel cell, the matching configuration (arrangement) of the filter array, and the use of a specific timing sequence in the sensor's frame timer allow for the noise benefits of the alternative filter signals to be obtained without sacrificing the noise or frame rate of the RGB pixels of the image sensor array. This operation utilizes the four-way shared pixel connection. As described above with respect to Figure 8A, the four-way shared pixel cell shares a single floating diffusion charge storage node between groups of four pixels.

[0108] The floating diffusion charge storage node SHARED, sometimes referred to as the shared column driver SHARED, can be reset by pulsing the reset line RESET, and can be buffered and connected to a column output line by pulsing the select line SELECT. The floating diffusion charge storage node SHARED can also be connected to any or all of the four surrounding pixels by pulsing one or more corresponding transmission lines.

[0109] Because a four-way shared pixel cell has the flexibility to connect any of the four surrounding pixels to the floating diffusion charge storage node SHARED (and therefore to reset and / or output), the connections can be made to the pixels on the transmission lines using pulses from frame timer 825B, so that when each transmission line connected to one row of pixels is pulsed, the pixels in the row connected to the floating diffusion charge storage node SHARED are connected in a pattern. TX_1: 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 1 - - … - - 1 TX_2: - 2 2 - - 2 2 - - 2 2 … 2 2 - Here, TX_1 refers to the transmission line to one row of the multiple four-way shared pixel cells, and TX_2 refers to the transmission line to the other row of the multiple four-way shared pixel cells. Thus, as shown in Figure 8B, the filters are then arranged in a staggered pattern, whereby the four colors in the Bayer array are divided between two different pixel-shared cells. Because the two color pixels in each row are connected to different floating diffusion charge storage nodes, SHARED, the two color pixels can be read simultaneously using the appropriate timing sequence.

[0110] Although the division of the Bayer array's four colors between two different pixel sharing cells forces the division of the alternate filter pixels as well, the charges of the two pixels connected to a column can be combined at the floating diffusion charge-storage node SHARED during readout without adding extra noise. Pairs of columns corresponding to a single filter position can be combined as a voltage at the output of the column amplifier (before the signal is digitized). The net result is a low-noise readout of the alternate filter pixels without losing spatial or temporal resolution of other pixels in the array. Therefore, in this example, the individual hyperspectral filters that make up the hyperspectral filter array are staggered (shifted) relative to individual portions of the color array filters, so that when one row is read, the charges of two rows of hyperspectral pixels can be binned, but the color pixels cannot be read individually and are not binned.

[0111] In addition to the selective pixel binning of charge regions described above, it is also possible to selectively extend the exposure time by a similar pulse sequence of the transmission line TX_x that omits a specific reset and read sequence of the transmission line TX_x going to pixels containing individual alternative optical filters.

[0112] Thus, Figure 8B is a diagram of a representative portion of a Bayer color filter array and an alternative optical filter array, such as a hyperspectral filter array, on a CMOS image sensor including a novel frame timer 825B and a four-way shared pixel cell. In this example, frame timer 825B is configured to generate the pulse sequence shown in Figure 9B.

[0113] 8B is an example of a portion of an image capture unit having an image sensor 821B including a Bayer color filter array and an alternative light filter array, and a frame timer 825B. Image sensor 821B and frame timer 825B are also examples of image sensor 321L and frame timer 325L, image sensor 321R and frame timer 325R, or image sensor 321 and frame timer 325.

[0114] Each location in image sensor 821B includes multiple pixels. In Figure 8B, only six locations are shown: (0,0), (0,1), (0,2), (1,0), (1,1), and (1,2), where each location includes four pixels connected to a shared column line, creating a four-way shared pixel cell. Other locations in image sensor 821B, not shown, are arranged in a corresponding manner.

[0115] In this example, some pixels in the four-way shared pixel cell are covered by filters from the Bayer color filter array, while other pixels in the four-way shared pixel cell are covered by filters from the alternate light filter array. As noted above, a pixel covered by a red filter R from the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a red pixel R. A pixel covered by a first green filter Gr from the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a first green pixel Gr. A pixel covered by a second green filter Gb from the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a second green pixel Gb. A pixel covered by a blue filter B from the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a blue pixel B.

[0116] Pixels within a group of pixels covered by an individual alternative light filter of the alternative light filter array are represented by the same reference character Pj, where j is an integer, and are referred to as alternative light filtered pixels. As shown above, in this example, each individual alternative light filter occupies a 2x2 pixel cell of image sensor 821B, but pixel Pj is divided among adjacent four-way shared pixel cells. Thus, in image sensor 821B, each four-way shared pixel cell at locations (0,0), (0,1), (0,2), (1,0), (1,1), and (1,2) contains multiple visible light color filtered pixels and multiple alternative light filtered pixels.

[0117] Specifically, the four-way-shared pixel cell at location (0,0) includes a red pixel R, a first green pixel Gr, and two alternatively light-filtered pixels P1, P1. The four-way-shared pixel cell at location (0,1) includes a blue pixel B, a second green pixel Gb, and two alternatively light-filtered pixels P1, P1. Thus, as described above, the four Bayer-filtered pixels, red pixel R, first green pixel Gr, second green pixel Gb, and blue pixel B, are divided between two adjacent four-way-shared pixel cells. Similarly, the two pixels P1, P1 covered by a single alternatively light-filtered array pixel are in each of two adjacent four-way-shared pixel cells.

[0118] Each row driver of image sensor 821B is connected to multiple pixel rows. A first color transmission line, COLOR_Tx0, connects row driver 0 to each blue pixel B and each first green pixel Gr in the first row (row 0) of image sensor 821B. A first alternate filter transmission line, HYP_Tx0, connects row driver 0 to each alternate light-filtered pixel in the first row. A second color transmission line, COLOR_Tx1, connects row driver 0 to each red pixel R and each second green pixel Gb in the second row (row 1) of image sensor 821B. A second alternate filter transmission line, HYP_Tx1, connects row driver 0 to each alternate light-filtered pixel in the second row.

[0119] A third color transmission line COLOR_Tx2 connects row driver 1 to each blue pixel B and each first green pixel Gr in the third row (row 2) of image sensor 821B. A third alternate filter transmission line HYP_Tx2 connects row driver 1 to each alternate light-filtered pixel in the third row. A fourth color transmission line COLOR_Tx3 connects row driver 1 to each red pixel R and each second green pixel Gb in the fourth row (row 3) of image sensor 821B. A fourth alternate filter transmission line HYP_Tx3 connects row driver 1 to each alternate light-filtered pixel in the fourth row. The line arrangement connecting row drivers 0 and 1 to the pixel rows is repeated down the columns of image sensor 821B.

[0120] Thus, the transmission lines are connected to pixels in adjacent pixel rows in a pattern according to frame time 825B that provides the appropriate pulses as described above, i.e. COLOR_Tx0 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 1 - - … - - 1 HYP_Tx0 - 2 2 - - 2 2 - - 2 2 … 2 2 - COLOR_Tx1 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 1 - - … - - 1 HYP_Tx1 - 2 2 - - 2 2 - - 2 2 … 2 2 - COLOR_Tx2 - 2 2 - - 2 2 - - 2 2 … 2 2 - HYP_Tx2 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 1 - - … - - 1 COLOR_Tx3 - 2 2 - - 2 2 - - 2 2 … 2 2 - HYP_Tx3 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 1 - - ... - - 1.

[0121] A first reset line RESET_01 connects row driver 0 to shared column driver SHARED at each location of the first and second pixel rows. A first select line SELECT_01 connects row driver 0 to shared column driver SHARED at each location of the first and second pixel rows. As explained above, in one aspect, each shared column driver SHARED is a single floating diffusion charge storage node.

[0122] A second reset line RESET connects row driver 1 to the shared column driver SHARED at each of the third and fourth pixel rows, and a second select line SELECT connects row driver 1 to the shared column driver SHARED at each of the third and fourth pixel rows.

[0123] Frame timer 825B is connected to each row driver of image sensor 821A by a plurality of lines, which in this example include 21 lines.

[0124] Ten of the 21 lines are row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0>, which carry the address of the row being accessed by frame timer 825B.

[0125] Three of the 21 lines are the row select line ROW_SELECT, the reset set line RST_SET, and the reset clear line RST_CLR. An active signal on the row select line ROW_SELECT causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the select line. An active signal on the reset set line RST_SET causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the reset line.

[0126] An active signal on the reset clear line RST_CLR causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an inactive signal on the reset line.

[0127] Four of the 21 lines are transmit set lines TX_SET<4,1>, and another four of the 21 lines are transmit clear lines TX_CLR<4,1>. Each of the transmit set lines TX_SET<4,1> is coupled via a row driver to a different one of the first transmit line, the second transmit line, the third transmit line, and the fourth transmit line connected to an addressed row driver.

[0128] An active signal on the transmit set line TX_SET(1) causes the row driver addressed by the address on row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the first transmit line, and similarly for the other transmit set lines. An active signal on the transmit clear line TX_CLR(1) causes the row driver addressed by the address on row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an inactive signal on the first transmit line, and similarly for the other transmit lines.

[0129] Thus, in image sensor 821B, the normal connections of paired transmission lines to pixels in each row, as shown in Figure 8A, are rearranged so that pixels of like filter type (normal visible light color filter array or alternative light filter array) are connected to separate column drivers and readout circuits in each row. This connection allows separate timing control of the normal and alternative light filter arrays. Figure 9B is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of image sensor 821B.

[0130] 9B from frame timer 825B illustrates the resetting of pixels on pixel rows 0 and 1, followed by their readout. Pixel rows 0 and 1 are the rows connected to row driver 0. An active transmit pulse resets both the floating diffusion charge storage node SHARED and the photodiode connected to the floating diffusion charge storage node SHARED when the transmit pulse coincides with the reset pulse. When the reset pulse occurs alone, it resets only the floating diffusion charge storage node SHARED, which is necessary for correlated double sampling (CDS) to reduce readout noise.

[0131] Exemplary pulse sequence of FIG. 9B: 1. Reset the color pixels in row 0. 2. Reset the color pixels in row 1. 3. Reset the alternate filter pixels in rows 0 and 1 together. 4. Later, read the color pixels in row 0. 5. Read the color pixels in row 1. 6. Read the alternate filter pixels in row 0 and row 1 and bin them together. Other exposures can be obtained by adjusting the delay between the reset and read sequences and selectively omitting the reset / read sequences for some pixel types.

[0132] Thus, Figures 8B and 9B are illustrative examples of an image capture device including an image sensor coupled to a frame timer. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel rows, a visible light color filter array, and an alternating light filter array. The plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells. For example, in Figure 8B, there are a plurality of pixel cells at positions (0,0), (0,1), (0,2), (1,0), (1,1), and (1,2). Each of the plurality of pixel cells includes a plurality of pixels (four pixels in the example of Figure 8B).

[0133] The visible light color filter array includes a plurality of different visible light color filters, which are represented in FIG. 8A by red, two green, and blue visible light color filters. The alternative light filter array includes a plurality of individual alternative light filters. One individual alternative light filter of the plurality of individual alternative light filters covers both a first set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells. The first pixel cell is adjacent to the second pixel cell. For examples of individual alternative light filters, see the pixel cells at locations (0,0) and (0,1). Each of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters covers a different pixel of the first and second sets of pixels. The pixels covered by each individual visible light color filter of the plurality of individual visible light color filters are different from the pixels covered by each individual alternative light filter.

[0134] The frame timer is coupled to the image sensor and is configured to provide an image capture timing signal to the image sensor, for example, the frame timer is configured to simultaneously reset pixels in first and second pixel cells covered by one of a plurality of different individual visible light color filters.

[0135] As noted above, data binning and the use of a combination of a visible light color filter array and an alternative light filter array can also be implemented in other ways using shared pixel cells. For example, FIG. 8C is a diagram of a representative portion of a Bayer color filter array and an alternative light filter array, e.g., a hyperspectral filter array, on a CMOS image sensor including a novel frame timer 825C and a four-way shared pixel cell. As noted above, the Bayer color filter array is an example of a visible light color filter array, and the use of a Bayer color filter array is not intended to limit the visible light color filter array to the particular combination of color filters described. FIG. 8C also illustrates an example portion of an image capture unit having an image sensor 821C and a frame timer 825C that include a Bayer color filter array and an alternative light filter array. Image sensor 821C and frame timer 825C are also examples of image sensor 321L and frame timer 325L, image sensor 321R and frame timer 325R, or image sensor 321 and frame timer 325.

[0136] Each location in image sensor 821C includes multiple pixels. In Figure 8C, only six locations are shown: (0,0), (0,1), (0,2), (1,0), (1,1), and (1,2), where each location includes four pixels connected to a shared column line, creating a four-way shared pixel cell. Other locations in image sensor 821C, not shown, are arranged in a corresponding manner.

[0137] In this example, in pairs of rows, alternating four-way shared pixel cells are covered by portions of the visible light color filter array, and alternating four-way shared pixel cells are covered by individual alternating light filters of the alternating light filter array. As described above, when the visible light color filter array is a Bayer color filter array, the pixels in the four-way shared pixel cell are covered by portions of the Bayer color filter array. Specifically, a pixel covered by a red filter R of the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a red pixel R. A pixel covered by a first green filter Gr of the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a first green pixel Gr. A pixel covered by a second green filter Gb of the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a second green pixel Gb. A pixel covered by a blue filter B of the Bayer color filter array is referred to as a blue pixel B. When all pixels in a four-way shared pixel cell are covered by portions of the visible light color filter array, the pixels are referred to as visible light color filtered pixel cells.

[0138] Pixels in the four-way shared pixel cells that are covered by a portion of an individual alternative light filter cell of the alternative light filter array are represented by the same reference symbol Pj, where j is an integer, and are referred to as alternative light filtered pixel cells. As shown above, in this example, individual alternative light filters cover all pixels of the four-way shared pixel cells of image sensor 821B. Thus, in this example, there are visible light color filtered pixel cells at locations (0,0), (1,1), and (0,2), while there are alternative light filtered pixel cells at locations (0,1), (1,0), and (1,2).

[0139] Each row driver of image sensor 821C is connected to multiple pixel rows. In the previous example, each row driver had two transmission lines connected to the pixel rows. In this example, each row driver has four transmission lines connected to the pixel rows. Thus, in this example, row driver 0 and row driver 1 from the previous example are combined into a single row driver 0 / 1, etc.

[0140] The first transmission line TXA_0 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each first green pixel Gr in the first row (row 0) of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the first row starting from the first pixel. The second transmission line TXB_0 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each blue pixel B in the first row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the first row starting from the second pixel. The third transmission line TXC_0 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each first alternative optically filtered pixel Px-1 (where x is equal to 1 to 3 in FIG. 8C ) of each alternative optically filtered pixel cell in the first row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the first row starting from the third pixel. A fourth transmission line TXD_0 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each second alternative optically filtered pixel Px-2 of each alternative optically filtered pixel cell in the first row of image sensor 821C, for example, every fourth pixel in the first row starting from the fourth pixel.

[0141] The fifth transmission line TXA_1 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each red pixel R in the second row (row 1) of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the second row starting from the first pixel. The sixth transmission line TXB_1 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each second green pixel Gb in the second row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the second row starting from the second pixel. The seventh transmission line TXC_1 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each third alternative optically filtered pixel Px-3 (where x equals 1 to 3 in FIG. 8C ) of each alternative optically filtered pixel cell in the second row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the second row starting from the third pixel. An eighth transmission line TXD_1 connects row driver 0 / 1 to each fourth alternative optically filtered pixel Px-4 of each alternative optically filtered pixel cell in the second row of image sensor 821C, for example, every fourth pixel in the second row starting from the fourth pixel.

[0142] A first reset line RESET_01 connects row driver 0 / 1 to shared column driver SHARED at each location of the first and second pixel rows. A first select line SELECT_01 connects row driver 0 / 1 to shared column driver SHARED at each location of the first and second pixel rows. As explained above, in one aspect, each shared column driver SHARED is a single floating diffusion charge storage node.

[0143] With respect to row driver 2 / 3, a first transmission line TXA_2 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each first alternative optically filtered pixel Px-1 (where x equals 1 to 3 in FIG. 8C ) in the third row (row 2) of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the third row starting from the first pixel. A second transmission line TXB_2 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each second alternative optically filtered pixel Px-2 in each alternative optically filtered pixel cell in the third row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the third row starting from the second pixel. A third transmission line TXC_2 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each first green pixel Gr in each visible light color filtered pixel cell in the third row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the third row starting from the third pixel. A fourth transmission line TXD_2 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each blue pixel B of each visible light color filtered pixel cell in row 3 of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in row 3 starting from the fourth pixel.

[0144] Continuing with row driver 2 / 3, a fifth transmission line TXA_3 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each third alternative optically filtered pixel Px-3 (where x equals 1 to 3 in FIG. 8C ) in the fourth row (row 3) of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the fourth row starting from the first pixel. A sixth transmission line TXB_3 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each fourth alternative optically filtered pixel Px-4 in each alternative optically filtered pixel cell in the fourth row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the fourth row starting from the second pixel. A seventh transmission line TXC_3 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each red pixel R in each visible light color filtered pixel cell in the fourth row of image sensor 821C, e.g., every fourth pixel in the fourth row starting from the third pixel. An eighth transmission line TXD_3 connects row driver 2 / 3 to each second green pixel Gb of each visible light color filtered pixel cell in the fourth row of image sensor 821C, for example, every fourth pixel in the fourth row starting from the fourth pixel.

[0145] A second reset line RESET_23 connects row driver 2 / 3 to the shared column driver SHARED at each of the third and fourth pixel rows. A second select line SELECT_23 connects row driver 2 / 3 to the shared column driver at each of the third and fourth pixel rows. The configuration of row drivers 0 / 1 and 2 / 3 is repeated down the column, so additional row drivers are not shown in Figure 8C.

[0146] Frame timer 825C is connected to each row driver of image sensor 821A by a number of lines, which in this example include 21 lines.

[0147] Ten of the 21 lines are row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0>, which carry the address of the row being accessed by frame timer 825C.

[0148] Three of the 21 lines are the row select line ROW_SELECT, the reset set line RST_SET, and the reset clear line RST_CLR. An active signal on the row select line ROW_SELECT causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the select line. An active signal on the reset set line RST_SET causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the reset line.

[0149] An active signal on the reset clear line RST_CLR causes the row driver addressed by the address on the row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an inactive signal on the reset line.

[0150] Four of the 21 lines are transmit set lines TX_SET<4,1>, and another four of the 21 lines are transmit clear lines TX_CLR<4,1>. Each of the transmit set lines TX_SET<4,1> is coupled via a row driver to a different one of the first transmit line, the second transmit line, the third transmit line, and the fourth transmit line connected to an addressed row driver.

[0151] An active signal on the transmit set line TX_SET(1) causes the row driver addressed by the address on row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an active signal on the first transmit line, and similarly for the other transmit set lines. An active signal on the transmit clear line TX_CLR(1) causes the row driver addressed by the address on row address lines ROW_ADDR<9,0> to drive an inactive signal on the first transmit line, and similarly for the other transmit lines.

[0152] In image sensor 821C, four transmission gate stages are required to bin the alternate light filtered pixels 2x2 in the charge domain (providing four times the signal without adding noise) and sample all visible light color filtered pixels to full resolution (unbinned). As shown in Figure 8C, to achieve this, duplicate row lines must be run for each transmission gate through the pixel array. To help distinguish between the duplicate row lines, Figure 8C uses the TXA_<row#> and TXB_<row#> As mentioned above, in step A (labeled TXA_<row#> ) proceeds to every fourth pixel in the row starting from the first pixel, and then to stage B (labeled TXB_<row#> ) starts with the second pixel and proceeds to every fourth pixel in the row, etc. In the four-way shared pixel cell of Figure 8A, there are only two stages, and the row lines of each stage connect to alternate pixels.

[0153] If the alternative optically filtered pixel cells were diagonally interleaved within the visible light color filtered cells, instead of being arranged as two-column sets of color pixels, two-column sets of hyperspectral pixels, two-column sets of color pixels, etc., as shown in Figure 8C, the pulse sequences for the binned case would be different for odd and even row pairs, as shown in Figure 8B. Thus, Figures 9C-9F present different timing diagrams: one for no binning (Figures 9C and 9E) and one for full resolution color information but 2x2 hyperspectral binning (Figures 9D and 9F). Figures 9C and 9D show the timing sequences for even row pairs (0 / 1, 4 / 5, 8 / 9, ...), while Figures 9E and 9F show the timing sequences for odd row pairs (2 / 3, 6 / 7, 10 / 11, ...). When not binned (Figures 9C and 9E), the pulse timing is the same for even and odd row pairs, but when binned (Figures 9D and 9F), the pulse timing is different for even and odd row pairs.

[0154] When binned, all four alternatively light filtered pixels in a four-way shared cell are connected simultaneously to a shared column line and the color pixels are read at full resolution according to the timing diagrams of Figures 9D and 9F. When not binned, each pixel is read individually.

[0155] Figures 10 and 11 show some combinations that can be obtained using the stereoscopic image capture device of Figure 3 including the dual frame timer logic and the various timing sequences described above. As described above, a stereoscopic image capture device includes two image sensors, each image sensor capturing a frame, and each frame containing a scene.

[0156] First, a typical stereoscopic scene 1001 is obtained when each frame timer performs a rolling shutter with the same exposure time for each column of the image sensor. Alternatively, the left and right scenes 1002 may have different exposure times. In this embodiment, one frame timer performs a rolling shutter with a first exposure time, and the other frame timer performs a rolling shutter with a second, different exposure time, as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0157] In multi-pixel binning, one of the two scenes produced is a monochrome scene 1003. A frame timer for an image sensor containing a Bayer color filter array uses a rolling shutter to output a single pixel for each location in a row of the image sensor, where each location is a row containing multiple Bayer pixels. See, for example, Figures 8A and 9A.

[0158] Different exposure times and multiple pixel binning can be combined to generate scenes with different exposure times, one of which is a monochrome scene 1104.

[0159] In the example of Figure 10, a stereoscopic image capture device was used. However, various combinations of the above frame timer timing sequences can also be implemented using the image capture device of Figure 7 with a single frame timer logic circuit and a single image sensor, as shown in Figure 11. First, a normal scene 1101 is obtained when the frame timer implements a rolling shutter with the same exposure time for each row of the image sensor.

[0160] In multi-pixel binning, the resulting scene is a monochrome scene 1102. The frame timer of an image sensor containing a Bayer color filter array uses a rolling shutter to output a single pixel for each location in a row of the image sensor. Each location is a row containing multiple Bayer pixels. See, for example, Figures 8A and 9A.

[0161] As used herein, a computer program product includes a medium configured to store or that stores computer-readable code necessary for any one or any combination of the methods described herein. Examples of computer program products include CD-ROM disks, DVD disks, flash memory, ROM cards, floppy disks, magnetic tape, computer hard drives, servers on a network, and signals transmitted over a network representing computer-readable program code. A tangible, non-transitory computer program product includes a medium configured to store or that stores computer-readable instructions for any one or any combination of the methods described herein. Examples of tangible, non-transitory computer program products include CD-ROM disks, DVD disks, flash memory, ROM cards, floppy disks, magnetic tape, computer hard drives, and other physical storage media.

[0162] In view of the present disclosure, the instructions used in any one or any combination of the methods described herein can be implemented on a wide variety of computer system configurations using operating systems and computer programming languages ​​of interest to the user.

[0163] As used herein, "first," "second," "third," etc. are adjectives used to distinguish between different components or elements. Thus, "first," "second," and "third" are not intended to denote the order of components or elements or the total number of components or elements.

[0164] The above description and accompanying drawings, which set forth aspects and embodiments of the present invention, should not be construed as limiting, and the claims define the protected invention. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this specification and claims. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0165] Furthermore, the terminology used in this specification is not intended to limit the invention. For example, spatially relative terms such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "proximal," "distal," and the like may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature, as shown in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions (i.e., configurations) and orientations (i.e., rotated configurations) of the device during use or operation, in addition to the position and orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features would then become "above" or "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both above and below positions and orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, descriptions of movement along and about various axes include various particular positions and orientations of the device.

[0166] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context dictates otherwise. Terms such as "comprises," "comprises," "includes," and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups. Components described as being coupled may be directly coupled electrically or mechanically, or indirectly coupled through one or more intermediate components.

[0167] All examples and illustrative references are non-limiting and should not be used to limit the scope of the claims to the specific implementations and embodiments described herein and their equivalents. Because text under a heading may cross-reference or apply to text under one or more headings, headings are for formatting purposes only and should not be used to limit the subject matter. Finally, in light of this disclosure, particular features described in connection with one aspect or embodiment may be applicable to others disclosed.

[0168] The following describes the scope of the claims as originally filed as an example. [Example 1] 1. An image capture device, comprising: a first image sensor including a first plurality of pixel rows; a second image sensor including a second plurality of pixel rows; a first frame timer coupled to the first image sensor and configured to provide an image capture timing signal to the first image sensor; a second frame timer coupled to the second image sensor and providing an image capture timing signal to the second image sensor; the first and second frame timers are different frame timers; Image capture device. [Example 2] the first frame timer is configured to provide an image capture timing signal for sequentially capturing N frames at the first image sensor; 2. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the second frame timer is configured to provide an image capture timing signal for capturing one frame in the second image sensor for every N frames sequentially captured in the first image sensor. [Example 3] the first frame timer is configured to expose each row of the first plurality of pixel rows for a first exposure time; the second frame timer is configured to expose each row of the second plurality of pixel rows for a second exposure time; 2. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the first exposure time is different from the second exposure time. [Example 4] 2. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the first image sensor includes a Bayer color filter array, each location of the first plurality of pixel rows of the first image sensor includes a set of Bayer pixels, and the first frame timer is configured to combine each set of Bayer pixels in a row to form a single output pixel. [Example 5] the first frame timer is configured to expose each row of the first plurality of pixel rows for a first exposure time; the second frame timer is configured to expose each row of the second plurality of pixel rows for a second exposure time; 5. The image capture device of example 4, wherein the first exposure time is different from the second exposure time. [Example 6] The first plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells, each of the plurality of pixel cells includes a plurality of pixels, and the first image sensor includes: a visible light color filter array including a plurality of different individual visible light color filters; an alternative light filter array including a plurality of individual alternative light filters, wherein one individual alternative light filter of the plurality of individual alternative light filters covers both a first set of pixels of a plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second set of pixels of a plurality of pixels in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells, the first pixel cell being adjacent to the second pixel cell; An image capture device as described in Example 1, wherein each of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters covers a different pixel in the first and second sets of pixels, and the pixels covered by each individual visible light color filter of the plurality of different individual color filters are different from the pixels covered by the individual alternative light filters. [Example 7] 7. The image capture device of Example 6, wherein the first frame timer is configured to simultaneously reset pixels in the first and second pixel cells that are covered by one of the different individual visible light color filters. [Example 8] 7. The image capture device of claim 6, wherein the first frame timer is configured to simultaneously read a first pixel of the first pixel cell that is covered by one of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters and a second pixel of the second pixel cell that is covered by one of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters. [Example 9] 7. The image capture device of claim 6, wherein the first frame timer is configured to simultaneously read a first pixel in a first set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second pixel in a second set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixels. [Example 10] 10. The image capture device of example 9, wherein the image capture device is configured to bin the read first pixels and the read second pixels. [Example 11] 2. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the first image sensor further comprises a plurality of visible light color filtered cells interleaved with a plurality of alternating light filtered pixel cells. [Example 12] 1. An image capture device, comprising: 1. An image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel rows and a visible light color filter array, the visible light color filter array includes a plurality of different individual visible light color filters; the plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells, each of the plurality of pixel cells includes a plurality of pixels; an image sensor, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels of pixel cells is covered by a different color filter of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters; a frame timer coupled to the image sensor and providing an image capture timing signal to the image sensor, the frame timer configured to combine the plurality of pixels of the pixel cell to form a single output pixel; Image capture device. [Example 13] 1. An image capture device, comprising: an image sensor including a plurality of pixel rows, a visible light color filter array, and an alternate light filter array; the plurality of pixel rows includes a plurality of pixel cells, each of the plurality of pixel cells including a plurality of pixels; the visible light color filter array includes a plurality of different individual visible light color filters; the alternative light filter array includes a plurality of individual alternative light filters, one individual alternative light filter of the plurality of individual alternative light filters covering both a first set of pixels of a plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second set of pixels of a plurality of pixels in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells, the first pixel cell being adjacent to the second pixel cell; each of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters covers a different pixel in the first and second sets of pixels, and the pixels covered by an individual visible light color filter of the plurality of individual visible light color filters are different from the pixels covered by the individual alternating light filters; Image capture device. [Example 14] 14. The image capture device of example 13, further comprising a frame timer coupled to the image sensor and providing an image capture timing signal to the image sensor. [Example 15] 15. The image capture device of example 14, wherein the frame timer is configured to simultaneously reset pixels in the first and second pixel cells that are covered by one of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters. [Example 16] 15. The image capture device of claim 14, wherein the frame timer is configured to simultaneously read a first pixel of the first pixel cell that is covered by one of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters and a second pixel of the second pixel cell that is covered by one of the plurality of different individual visible light color filters. [Example 17] 15. The image capture device of claim 14, wherein the frame timer is configured to simultaneously read a first pixel in a first set of pixels of the plurality of pixels in a first pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells and a second pixel in a second set of pixels of the plurality of pixel cells in a second pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells. [Example 18] 18. The image capture device of example 17, wherein the image capture device is configured to bin the read first pixels and the read second pixels. [Example 19] 1. A method, comprising: exposing each row of a first plurality of pixel rows of a first image sensor of the stereoscopic image capture device for a first exposure time using a signal from a first frame timer; exposing each row of a second plurality of pixel rows of a second image sensor of the stereoscopic image capture device for a second exposure time using a signal from a second frame timer; the first exposure time is different from the second exposure time; method. [Example 20] 1. A method, comprising: outputting a single output pixel from a location within the image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels, the outputting step comprising combining the plurality of pixels at the location using a signal by a frame timer to form the single output pixel; method.

Claims

1. 1. An image capture device, comprising: an image sensor including a first pixel cell and a second pixel cell adjacent to the first pixel cell; a plurality of individual alternative light filters configured to filter non-visible light, wherein one individual alternative light filter of the plurality of individual alternative light filters covers both a first set of pixels of the first pixel cell and a second set of pixels of the second pixel cell, the second set of pixels being adjacent to the first set of pixels, and the first and second sets of pixels including at least two pixels; a plurality of individual visible light color filters covering pixels of the first and second pixel cells, the pixels of the first and second pixel cells covered by the individual visible light color filters being different from the set of first and second pixels covered by the individual alternative light filters; Image capture device.

2. the first pixel cell includes a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel arranged in a first 2x2 pixel array, the third and fourth pixels of the first pixel cell being in a bottom row of the first 2x2 pixel array; the second pixel cell includes a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel arranged in a second 2x2 pixel array, the first and second pixels of the second pixel cell being in a top row of the second 2x2 pixel array; the first and second sets of pixels covered by the one individual alternative light filter include only the third and fourth pixels of the first pixel cell and the first and second pixels of the second pixel cell; 2. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the pixels covered by the individual visible light color filters include only the first and second pixels of the first pixel cell and the third and fourth pixels of the second pixel cell.

3. The individual visible light color filters are a red color filter covering the first pixel of the first pixel cell; a first green color filter covering the second pixel of the first pixel cell; a second green color filter covering the third pixel of the second pixel cell; a blue color filter covering the fourth pixel of the second pixel cell.

4. a first frame timer coupled to the image sensor and configured to provide image capture timing signals to the image sensor to cause the image sensor to capture pixel data for a first plurality of frames at a first frame rate; an additional image sensor; 2. The image capture device of claim 1, further comprising: a second frame timer coupled to the additional image sensor and providing an additional image capture timing signal to the additional image sensor to cause the additional image sensor to capture a second plurality of frames of pixel data at a second frame rate different from the first frame rate.

5. the image capture timing signal provided by the first frame timer is configured to cause the image sensor to capture N frames of pixel data, where N is greater than 1; 5. The image capture device of claim 4, wherein the image capture timing signal provided by the second frame timer is configured to cause the additional image sensor to capture only a single frame of pixel data while the image sensor is capturing the N frames.

6. the first frame timer is configured to expose pixels of the image sensor for a first exposure time; the second frame timer is configured to expose pixels of the additional image sensor for a second exposure time; The image capture device of claim 4 , wherein the first exposure time is different from the second exposure time.

7. 5. The image capture device of claim 4, wherein the first frame timer is configured to simultaneously reset pixels in the first and second pixel cells covered by one individual visible light color filter of the plurality of individual visible light color filters.

8. The image capture device of claim 4 , wherein the first frame timer is configured to simultaneously read a first pixel in the first set of pixels and a second pixel in the second set of pixels.

9. 9. The image capture device of claim 8, wherein the image capture device is configured to bin the first pixel read by the first frame timer and the second pixel read by the second frame timer.

10. 10. The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the image sensor further comprises a plurality of visible light color filtered pixel cells interleaved with a plurality of alternative light filtered pixel cells.

11. The image capture device of claim 1 , wherein the image sensor includes a Bayer color filter array.

12. A program for an image capture device, comprising: An image sensor is provided that includes a first pixel cell and a second pixel cell adjacent to the first pixel cell; When the program is executed, filtering non-visible light with a plurality of individual alternative light filters, wherein one individual alternative light filter of the plurality of individual alternative light filters covers both a first set of pixels of the first pixel cell and a second set of pixels of the second pixel cell, the second set of pixels being adjacent to the first set of pixels, and the first and second sets of pixels including at least two pixels; filtering visible light with a plurality of individual visible light color filters, the plurality of individual visible light color filters covering pixels of the first and second pixel cells, and the pixels of the first and second pixel cells covered by the individual visible light color filters being different from the first and second set of pixels covered by the individual alternative light filters; program.

13. the first pixel cell includes a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel arranged in a first 2x2 pixel array, the third and fourth pixels of the first pixel cell being in a bottom row of the first 2x2 pixel array; the second pixel cell includes a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel arranged in a second 2x2 pixel array, the first and second pixels of the second pixel cell being in a top row of the second 2x2 pixel array; the first and second sets of pixels covered by the one individual alternative light filter include only the third and fourth pixels of the first pixel cell and the first and second pixels of the second pixel cell; 13. The program of claim 12, wherein the pixels covered by the individual visible light color filters include only the first and second pixels of the first pixel cell and the third and fourth pixels of the second pixel cell.

14. The individual visible light color filters are a red color filter covering the first pixel of the first pixel cell; a first green color filter covering the second pixel of the first pixel cell; a second green color filter covering the third pixel of the second pixel cell; a blue color filter covering the fourth pixel of the second pixel cell.

15. causing a first frame timer coupled to the image sensor to provide image capture timing signals to the image sensor to cause the image sensor to capture pixel data for a first plurality of frames at a first frame rate; 13. The program of claim 12, further comprising causing a second frame timer coupled to an additional image sensor to provide an additional image capture timing signal to the additional image sensor to cause the additional image sensor to capture pixel data for a second plurality of frames at a second frame rate different from the first frame rate.

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