Patent ID: 6963369
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image sensor, comprising: a sensor array comprising a two-dimensional array of pixel elements, said sensor array outputting digital signals as pixel data representing an image of a scene, and said sensor array generating multiple representations of said image at a plurality of exposure times; and a data memory, in communication with said sensor array, for storing image information for each of said pixel elements, said data memory allocating for each pixel element an m-bit pixel data field for storing pixel data generated by said sensor array and an n-bit CDS data field for storing reset value associated with each pixel element; wherein said data memory uses a first bit of said pixel data field as a threshold indicator indicating whether pixel data associated with each pixel element has exceeded a predetermined threshold level, said data memory storing m+n bits of pixel data in said pixel data field and said CDS data field for pixel data exceeding said predetermined threshold level and storing m bits of pixel data in said pixel data field for pixel data not exceeding said predetermined threshold level.