US 12,444,164 B2
Image sensor including internal pre-processor configured to generate a merged image, image processing system including the same, and image processing method
Daeho Lee, Seoul (KR); Chulhee Park, Hwaseong-si (KR); and Minoh Kim, Seoul (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Sep. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/929,937.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0118959 (KR), filed on Sep. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0073138 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06V 10/60 (2022.01); G06T 5/50 (2006.01); G06T 5/70 (2024.01); G06T 5/90 (2024.01); G06T 7/20 (2017.01); G06V 10/141 (2022.01); G06V 10/56 (2022.01)
CPC G06V 10/60 (2022.01) [G06T 5/50 (2013.01); G06T 5/70 (2024.01); G06T 5/90 (2024.01); G06T 7/20 (2013.01); G06V 10/141 (2022.01); G06V 10/56 (2022.01); G06T 2207/10024 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10144 (2013.01); G06T 2207/20182 (2013.01); G06T 2207/20208 (2013.01); G06T 2207/20221 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image sensor, comprising:
a pixel array and a readout circuit configured to generate a plurality of images having different exposure times for a same object;
a pre-processor, disposed within the image sensor, configured to perform a first processing operation on at least two images of the plurality of images to generate a merged image,
wherein the first processing operation is completed before the merged image is output from the pre-processor;
an interface circuit configured to output both (i) the merged image, after completion of the first processing operation, and (ii) at least one remaining image of the plurality of images different from the at least two images corresponding to the merged image, to an external processor disposed outside of the image sensor; and
a controller configured to control the pre-processor to selectively generate the merged image based on information of the plurality of images,
wherein the external processor is configured to perform a second processing operation on the at least one remaining image after the at least one remaining image is output from the interface circuit,
wherein the second processing operation is performed after the merged image and the at least one remaining image are received from the image sensor.