US 11,943,561 B2
Non-linear quantization at pixel sensor
Tsung-Hsun Tsai, Redmond, WA (US); and Xinqiao Liu, Medina, WA (US)
Assigned to Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed by Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/896,130.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/861,129, filed on Jun. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/861,132, filed on Jun. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/861,133, filed on Jun. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0396399 A1, Dec. 17, 2020
Int. Cl. H04N 25/533 (2023.01); H04N 25/71 (2023.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/533 (2023.01) [H04N 25/745 (2023.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a photodiode configured to generate a charge in response to light within an exposure period having a first duration;
a charge sensing unit configured to accumulate at least a part of the charge within the exposure period;
a quantizer; and
a controller configured to:
determine, using the quantizer and within a measurement period having a second duration, whether a first quantity of the at least a part of the charge accumulated at the charge sensing unit exceeds a threshold, and a time it takes for the first quantity to exceed the threshold, wherein the first duration and the second duration are individually programmable; and
based on whether the first quantity exceeds the threshold, output a first value representing the time or a second value representing a second quantity of the charge generated by the photodiode within the exposure period to represent an intensity of the light.