US 12,143,734 B1
Enhanced depth of focus cameras using variable apertures and pixel binning
Shashank Sharma, Mountain View, CA (US); and Ralph H. Shepard, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Assigned to Waymo LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by Waymo LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/169,532.
Application 18/169,532 is a continuation of application No. 17/340,522, filed on Jun. 7, 2021, granted, now 11,606,517.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04N 5/347 (2011.01); G01S 17/89 (2020.01); G02B 27/00 (2006.01); H04N 5/378 (2011.01); H04N 25/46 (2023.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/46 (2023.01) [G01S 17/89 (2013.01); G02B 27/0075 (2013.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device comprising:
an image sensor comprising an array of light-sensitive pixels and a readout circuit;
a variable aperture; and
a controller configured to:
cause the variable aperture to adjust to a first aperture size when a high-light condition is present;
cause the variable aperture to adjust to a second aperture size when a low-light condition is present;
cause the readout circuit to perform a first level of pixel binning when the high-light condition is present; and
cause the readout circuit to perform a second level of pixel binning when the low-light condition is present.