Patent ID: 9402039
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: H04N

Claim Text:
1. A method of acquiring image data from a pixel from a single exposure of a single image capture in a high dynamic range (HDR) image sensor, comprising: resetting a photodetector of the pixel; integrating light incident on the photodetector for the single exposure of the single image capture; performing a first reset of a floating diffusion of the pixel; setting the floating diffusion to low conversion gain; sampling a low conversion gain reset signal from the floating diffusion; performing a second reset of the floating diffusion of the pixel after the sampling of the reset signal from the floating diffusion at the low conversion gain, and prior to a sampling of the reset signal from the floating diffusion at a high conversion gain; setting the floating diffusion to the high conversion gain; sampling a high conversion gain reset signal from the floating diffusion; transferring charge carriers photogenerated during the single exposure from the photodetector to the floating diffusion; sampling a high conversion gain image signal from the floating diffusion; setting the floating diffusion to the low conversion gain; transferring additional charge carriers photogenerated during the single exposure from the photodetector to the floating diffusion; and sampling a low conversion gain image signal from the floating diffusion.