US 12,250,488 B2
Merged frame-based and event-bases image sensor pixel
Thomas Finateu, Veneux les sablons (FR); and Christian Bouvier, Paris (FR)
Assigned to Prophesee, Paris (FR)
Filed by PROPHESEE, Paris (FR)
Filed on Dec. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/393,218.
Claims priority of application No. 22315345 (EP), filed on Dec. 21, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0214708 A1, Jun. 27, 2024
Int. Cl. H04N 25/78 (2023.01); H01L 27/146 (2006.01)
CPC H04N 25/78 (2023.01) [H01L 27/14607 (2013.01); H01L 27/1461 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A merged frame-based and event-based image sensor pixel, comprising:
a reverse-biased photodiode;
a frame-based signal readout circuit connected to a cathode of the photodiode; and
an event-based signal readout circuit connected to an anode of the photodiode, wherein the event-based readout circuit is configured to bias the anode at a constant voltage lower than a cathode voltage and to establish a current path from the anode to a low supply line at a voltage lower than an anode voltage;
wherein the event-based readout circuit is configured to operate in a continuous acquisition mode, continuously sensing the anode current and triggering events asynchronously as they occur, and the frame-based readout circuit is configured to operate concurrently according to a pattern repeated periodically at a frame rate, the pattern including a reset phase, an integration phase, and a readout phase.