Patent ID: 6580456
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: G11C,H04N

Abstract:
A programmable timing generator for use in a digital imaging system that includes an image sensor and image data processing circuitry, comprising:a first clock generator including a programmable microsequencer, for generating a plurality of first clock signals in response to instructions executed by the microsequencer; and a second programmable clock generator, responsive to the microsequencer, for generating a plurality of second clock signals, the second programmable clock generator including: a clock pattern memory operably configured to store at least one clock pattern to output as the second clock signals; a starting address latch operably connected to the microsequencer to store a starting address of a selected one of the clock patterns stored in the clock pattern memory; and address generation circuitry operably connected to the starting address latch for generating a sequence of address signals so as to access the selected one of the clock patterns in the clock pattern memory over a predefined number of clock periods; wherein the first clock signals include a first set of signals coupled to the image sensor to control a first set of image sensor functions and the second clock signals include a second set of signals coupled to the image sensor to control a second set of image sensor functions, wherein a subset of the second set of signals are also coupled to the image data processing circuitry so as to synchronize operation of the image sensor with operation of the image data processing circuitry.