CN106331537B

CN106331537B - Digital image sensor and its control method, image capture device

Info

Publication number: CN106331537B
Application number: CN201510705455.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丁大勇
Original assignee: Beijing Zhigu Ruituo Technology Services Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Zhigu Ruituo Technology Services Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-27
Filing date: 2015-10-27
Publication date: 2019-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-27
Also published as: CN106331537A

Abstract

This application discloses a kind of digital image sensor and its control methods, image capture device, the digital image sensor includes: a pixel unit array, and each pixel unit in the pixel unit array includes counter, the controller connecting with counter and the photoelectric detector connecting with the controller；At least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array is associated as multiple combination of pixels, each combination of pixels includes at least one first pixel unit and one second pixel unit, the counter cascade of the counter of the first pixel unit and second pixel unit and controller of first pixel unit is connect with the counter of second pixel unit.The application is at least conducive to improve the dynamic range that the first pixel unit described in the combination of pixels allows to acquire.

Description

Digital image sensor and its control method, image capture device

Technical field

This application involves field of terminal technology, more particularly to a kind of digital image sensor and its control method, image Acquire equipment.

Background technique

Such as the resolution ratio of the image capture devices such as digital camera institute acquired image, it is limited to single object in sensitive chip Manage the size of pixel and the optical resolution of optical imaging system.For sensitive chip, current design mainstream is small Type and high pixelation；For optical imaging system, when object point is through optical system imaging, due to aberration, imaging beam The circular projection of a diffusion, referred to as blur circle (Circle of Confusion) are usually formed on as plane, blur circle Size and lens opening (such as aperture size), light source departure degree (such as object distance), focusing state (such as focus, state out of focus) Factor is related, can measure optical resolution with the size of blur circle to a certain extent.With single physical pixel in sensitive chip Size it is smaller and smaller, the limitation of the optical resolution of optical imaging system may influence image imaging effect in some scenarios Further promotion.

Summary of the invention

The brief overview about the application is given below, in order to provide the basic of some aspects about the application Understand.It should be appreciated that this general introduction is not the exhaustive general introduction about the application.It is not intended to determine the pass of the application Key or pith, nor intended limitation scope of the present application.Its purpose only provides certain concepts in simplified form, Taking this as a prelude to a more detailed description discussed later.

The embodiment of the present application provides a kind of digital image sensor and its control method, image capture device.

In a first aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a kind of digital image sensor, comprising:

One pixel unit array, each pixel unit in the pixel unit array include counter, connect with counter The controller connect and the photoelectric detector being connect with the controller；

At least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array is associated as multiple combination of pixels, and each combination of pixels is extremely It less include one first pixel unit and one second pixel unit, the counter of first pixel unit and the second pixel list The counter of member cascades and the controller of first pixel unit is connect with the counter of second pixel unit.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, first pixel unit The counter asynchronous cascade of counter and second pixel unit.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, first pixel unit The counter asynchronous cascade of counter and second pixel unit includes: the spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit It is connect with the count section of the counter of second pixel unit.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, first pixel unit The spilling portion of counter at least negates device through one and connect with the count section of the counter of second pixel unit.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, the combination of pixels further include: One first multiple selector, one second multiple selector and a pixel acquisition mode selector；First multiple selector Input unit is separately connected the spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit and the counting pulse of second pixel unit Trigger source, the output section of first multiple selector connect the count section of the counter of second pixel unit, and described The control unit of one multiple selector is connect with the pixel acquisition mode selector respectively；The input of second multiple selector Portion is separately connected the controller of first pixel unit and the controller of second pixel unit, second multi-path choice The selector of device is connect with the pixel acquisition mode selector, the output section of second multiple selector and second picture The control unit of the counter of plain unit connects.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, described in the combination of pixels The spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit negates device through one and connect with the input unit of first multiple selector.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, the digital image sensor Further include: one first acquisition information determination module is connect, for according at least to described respectively at least partly pixel unit The record information of the counter of the counter of first pixel unit described in combination of pixels and second pixel unit determines institute State the acquisition information of the first pixel unit.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, the combination of pixels further include: One adder, the input unit of the adder respectively with the output end of the photoelectric detector of first pixel unit and described The output end of the photoelectric detector of two pixel units connects, the control of the output section of the adder and first pixel unit Device connection.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, the combination of pixels further include: One third multiple selector, the input terminal of the third multiple selector Photoelectric Detection portion with first pixel unit respectively Output section and the adder output section connection, the output section of the third multiple selector and the first pixel list The controller connection of member, and the selector of the third multiple selector is connect with pixel acquisition mode selector.

In conjunction with any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, the digital image sensor Further include: one second acquisition information determination module is connect, for according at least to the picture respectively with the counter of each pixel unit Described in the record information of the counter of the counter and second pixel unit of first pixel unit described in element combination determines The acquisition information of combination of pixels.

Second aspect, the embodiment of the present application also provides a kind of control method of digital image sensor, the digitized map As sensor is any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, which comprises

In each combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, at least control cascade described The counter of the counter of first pixel unit and second pixel unit, at least to described first in the combination of pixels The acquisition information of pixel unit is recorded；

The acquisition information of at least described first pixel unit in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result.

It is optionally, described each in conjunction with a kind of control method of digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application In the combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, cascade first pixel unit is at least controlled The counter of counter and second pixel unit, at least acquisition to first pixel unit in the combination of pixels Information is recorded, comprising: in the combination of pixels, passes through the controller of first pixel unit, at least control cascade First pixel unit counter and second pixel unit counter, to described in the combination of pixels The acquisition information of one pixel unit is recorded；It is described that at least described first picture in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result The acquisition information of plain unit, comprising: the acquisition letter of the first pixel unit described in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result Breath.

It is optionally, described described in conjunction with a kind of control method of digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application In combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, the counting of cascade first pixel unit is at least controlled The counter of device and second pixel unit carries out the acquisition information of first pixel unit in the combination of pixels Record, comprising: controlling the pixel acquisition mode selector output indicates the control signal of pixel redundancy acquisition mode, with triggering First multiple selector gates the spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit and the meter of second pixel unit Access and triggering second multiple selector between the count section of number device gate controller and the institute of the first pixel unit State the access between the control unit of the counter of the second pixel unit.

In conjunction with a kind of control method of digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, the method is also It include: the control signal that the control pixel acquisition mode selector output indicates pixel normal acquisition mode, described in triggering First multiple selector gates the counter of the counting pulse triggering source and second pixel unit of second pixel unit Count section between access and triggering second multiple selector gate the controller and described the of the second pixel unit Access between the control unit of the counter of two pixel units.

It is optionally, described each in conjunction with a kind of control method of digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application In the combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, cascade first pixel unit is at least controlled The counter of counter and second pixel unit, at least acquisition to first pixel unit in the combination of pixels Information is recorded, comprising: in the combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, is at least controlled asynchronous The counter of cascade first pixel unit and the counter of second pixel unit, to each picture in the combination of pixels Total acquisition information of plain unit is recorded；It is described that at least described first pixel in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result The acquisition information of unit, comprising: total acquisition information of each pixel unit in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result.

It is optionally, described described in conjunction with a kind of control method of digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application In combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, first pixel unit of asynchronous cascade is at least controlled The counter of counter and second pixel unit remembers total acquisition information of each pixel unit in the combination of pixels Record, comprising: controlling the pixel acquisition mode selector output indicates the control signal of combination of pixels acquisition mode, to trigger State spilling portion and the counting of second pixel unit that the first multiple selector gates the counter of first pixel unit Access between the count section of device, triggering second multiple selector gate the controller of first pixel unit with it is described Access and the triggering third multiple selector between the control unit of the counter of second pixel unit gate the addition Access between the output section of device and the controller of first pixel unit.

In conjunction with a kind of control method of digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, optionally, the method is also It include: the control signal that the control pixel acquisition mode selector output indicates pixel normal acquisition mode, described in triggering First multiple selector gates the counter of the counting pulse triggering source and second pixel unit of second pixel unit Count section between access, triggering second multiple selector gate the controller and second picture of the second pixel unit Access and the triggering third multiple selector between the control unit of the counter of plain unit gate the first pixel list Access between the output section in Photoelectric Detection portion and the controller of first pixel unit of member.

The third aspect, the embodiment of the present application also provides a kind of image capture devices, comprising:

One any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application, a processor, a communication interface, a memory An and communication bus；The processor, the communication interface, the memory and the digital image sensor pass through institute It states communication bus and completes mutual communication；

The memory is for storing at least one instruction；Described instruction makes the processor execute following operation:

Technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, for some combination of pixels of digital image sensor, the first picture The cascade of the counter of the counter of plain unit and the second pixel unit, and by the controller of the first pixel unit to the first picture The counter of the counter of plain unit and the second pixel unit carries out pool control, from there through cascade counter at least to this The acquisition information of the first combination of pixels in combination of pixels is recorded, later can be true according to the record result of cascade counter The acquisition information of at least described first pixel unit in the fixed combination of pixels, due to the relatively single counter of cascade counter Thus dilatation is at least conducive to improve the dynamic range that the first pixel unit described in the combination of pixels allows to acquire.

By the detailed description below in conjunction with attached drawing to the alternative embodiment of the application, the these and other of the application Advantage will be apparent from.

Detailed description of the invention

The application can be by reference to being better understood, wherein in institute below in association with description given by attached drawing Have and has used the same or similar appended drawing reference in attached drawing to indicate same or similar component.The attached drawing is together with following It is described in detail together comprising in the present specification and forming a part of this specification, and is used to that this is further illustrated The alternative embodiment of application and the principle and advantage for explaining the application.In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 a is a kind of structural schematic diagram of pixel unit array provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 1 b is a kind of control method flow chart of digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 2 a is a kind of circuit logic structure chart of pixel unit provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 2 b is the circuit logic structure chart of another pixel unit provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 3 is a kind of circuit logic structure chart of combination of pixels provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 4 is the circuit logic structure chart of another combination of pixels provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 5 is a kind of application example of combination of pixels provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 6 is the application example of another combination of pixels provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 7 is a kind of structural schematic diagram of image capture device provided by the embodiments of the present application.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that element in attached drawing is just for the sake of showing for the sake of simple and clear, And be not necessarily drawn to scale.For example, the size of certain elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements in attached drawing, with Just the understanding to the embodiment of the present application is helped to improve.

Specific embodiment

It is described in detail hereinafter in connection with exemplary embodiment of the attached drawing to the application.It rises for clarity and conciseness See, does not describe all features of actual implementation mode in the description.It should be understood, however, that developing any this reality Much decisions specific to embodiment must be made during embodiment, to realize the objectives of developer, example Such as, meet restrictive condition those of related to system and business, and these restrictive conditions may be with embodiment not It changes together.In addition, it will also be appreciated that although development is likely to be extremely complex and time-consuming, to having benefited from For those skilled in the art of present disclosure, this development is only routine task.

Here, also it should be noted is that, in order to avoid having obscured the application because of unnecessary details, in attached drawing and It is merely depicted in explanation with according to the closely related apparatus structure of the scheme of the application and/or processing step, and is omitted pair With the application relationship is little, expression and description of component known to persons of ordinary skill in the art and processing.

(identical label indicates identical element in several attached drawings) and embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing, to the tool of the application Body embodiment is described in further detail.Following embodiment is not limited to scope of the present application for illustrating the application.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the terms such as " first ", " second " in the application be only used for distinguishing it is asynchronous Suddenly, equipment or module etc., neither represent any particular technology meaning, also do not indicate the inevitable logical order between them.

Digital image sensor includes pixel unit array, and the pixel unit array includes multiple pixels of array distribution Unit.It is different from and realizes traditional imaging sensor of signal transmission in analog domain, photosignal in digital image sensor Multiplexing is realized in numeric field, is advantageously implemented the Lossless transport of signal, is improved the channel isolation of digital image sensor And therefore anti-interference ability etc. in recent years, causes that insider's is wide to the research of the digital image sensor and its application General concern.

The embodiment of the present application provides a kind of digital image sensor, as shown in Figure 1a, the digital image sensor packet Include: a pixel unit array 100, the pixel unit array 100 include the pixel unit of multiple array distributions, each pixel list Member includes counter, the controller connecting with counter and the photoelectric detector connecting with the controller, wherein described Photoelectric detector for example acquires optical signal and is converted into analog electrical signal for obtaining acquisition information, the acquisition modes for acquiring information It is used to count it accordingly according to the acquisition information control counter of institute's photoelectric detector Deng, the controller Wordization record.At least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array 100 is associated as multiple combination of pixels, as can be according to institute It states all or part of pixel units in the whole pixel cell array of digital image sensor and determines multiple combination of pixels, or Person can determine multiple pictures according to all or part of pixel units in the local pixel cell array of the digital image sensor Element combination, etc..Each combination of pixels includes at least one first pixel unit A and one second pixel unit B, first pixel Controller and the institute of the cascade of the counter of the counter of unit A and the second pixel unit B and the first pixel unit A State the counter connection of the second pixel unit B.

The control method of the digital image sensor is as shown in Figure 1 b, comprising:

S101: it in each combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, at least controls cascade The counter of the counter of first pixel unit and second pixel unit, at least to described in the combination of pixels The acquisition information of first pixel unit is recorded.

S102: the acquisition information of at least described first pixel unit in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result.

In traditional digital image sensor, each collected photosignal of pixel unit is remembered by each pixel unit itself Record.It is different from traditional digital image sensor, technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, to certain of digital image sensor For a combination of pixels, the counter of the counter of the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit is cascaded, and passes through the first picture The controller of plain unit carries out pool control to the counter of the first pixel unit and the counter of the second pixel unit, thus leads to Cascade counter is crossed at least to record the acquisition information of the first combination of pixels in the combination of pixels, it later can be according to grade The record result of the counter of connection determines the acquisition information of at least described first pixel unit in the combination of pixels, due to cascade The relatively single counter dilatation of counter, be thus at least conducive to improve the first pixel list described in the combination of pixels Member allows the dynamic range acquired.

Device with simulation numeral (Analog to Digital, abbreviation AD) conversion function is digital image sensor Important component, being used for will be after the collected optical signal of pixel unit institute be converted into electric signal in digital image sensor It is transmitted.A kind of optional digital image sensor is Pixel-level digital image sensor, i.e., each pixel unit has mould Quasi- number (Analog to Digital, abbreviation AD) transition count function, in this way, the collected signal of each pixel unit is It can realize and transmit in numeric field.

For example, the alternative construction of each pixel unit is as shown in Figure 2 a, comprising: photoelectric detector 23, counts controller 24 Device 25 and register 26；Photoelectric detector 23 includes: for acquiring optical signal and being converted into the photodiode of analog electrical signal (Photo-Diode) 21 and amplifier 22 that the analog electrical signal of photodiode is amplified；Controller 24 includes product Parallel circuit 241 and comparator 242 are cooperated by integrating circuit 241, comparator 242, counter 25 and register 26, will be simulated Signal is converted into digital signal and is transmitted.One optional AD conversion counting process is for example: when including that digital picture senses After the completion of the image capture device exposure of device, collected optical signal is converted into electric signal by photodiode 21, electric signal passes through The input terminal "-" of input comparator 242 after amplifier 22 amplifies, the output end of integrating circuit and the input terminal "+" of comparator 242 It connects, the capacitor of integrating circuit 241 starts to charge in controller 24, and 25 control counter 25 of controller resets, and counter 25 is opened Begin to certain count clock (the counting clock can be but be not limited to clock pulses or with the acquisition information of photoelectric detector Corresponding pulse etc.) pulse along being counted；When the voltage of the input terminal "+" of comparator 242 is higher than the electricity of its input terminal "-" When pressure, the capacitor electric discharge of integrating circuit 241, the control of controller 25 are posted in the output end signal trigger controller 25 of comparator 242 The count value and control counter 25 of 26 read-out counter 25 of storage reset.

In another example the alternative construction of each pixel unit is as shown in Figure 2 b, comprising: photoelectric detector 23,24 and of controller Counter 25；Photoelectric detector 23 include: for acquire optical signal and be converted into analog electrical signal photodiode 21 and The amplifier 22 that the analog electrical signal of photodiode is amplified；Controller 24 includes the mould for exporting amplifier 22 Quasi- pulse frequency modulator 243 and logic control element 244 of the modulates information at corresponding pulse signal, logic control element The arteries and veins for the pulse that 244 control pulse frequency modulator 243 movements and control counter 25 export pulse frequency modulator 243 The operations such as punching edge is counted, resetted, counting mode is arranged, data are read.

It is appreciated that the structure of the above pixel unit is only washability example, should not be construed as to the embodiment of the present application skill The limitation of art essence.In actual use, counter overflow can make counter resets and start counting or count again Device overflow can make the counter maintain count peak and no longer count, under the situation, if counter overflow and fail and When read the count value of (can such as read by register) counter, then the count value of counter and respective pixel unit is practical adopts The photoelectric information of collection is not inconsistent, and leads to misregistration.It is to pass through grade in conjunction in any technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application The counter of connection at least records the acquisition information of the first combination of pixels in the combination of pixels, due to cascade counter Relatively single counter dilatation is equivalent to the upper limit at least improving the first pixel unit permission count information amount, also It is to say, the maximum brightness value of the first pixel unit recorded is allowed to improve, it is bigger thus at least can get the first pixel unit Dynamic range, reduce and occur to lead to the probability of misregistration because of counter overflow.

Each combination of pixels may include multiple pixel units, and the multiple pixel unit includes at least one first pixel unit With one second pixel unit.For in each combination of pixels, the cascade mode of the counter of multiple pixel units is very flexible, this Application embodiment is not intended to limit this.Optionally, the counter serially concatenated of multiple pixel units can be got up count；Or The counter asynchronous cascade of multiple pixel units can be got up to count by person；Alternatively, can be to the counter of multiple pixel units Asynchronous cascade gets up and carries out appropriate adjustment to the counting mode of at least one pixel unit, to obtain bigger dynamic range, Such as: the count section of the counter of the spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit and second pixel unit connects It connects.It is appreciated that if the combination of pixels further includes other than first pixel unit and second pixel unit Similar cascade system also can be used in other pixel units, by the counter of other pixel units and first pixel Unit and/or second pixel unit further cascade, as will be described the count section of other pixel units and second picture Spilling portion connection of the counter of plain unit, etc..It is cascaded except other counters except through the spilling portion of certain counter, also Can be joined by other ministerial levels of the counter, such as N-bit counter, can by the counter N (be equivalent to spilling Position), N-1, N-2 ... cascade other counters, specific implementation is very flexible, and the embodiment of the present application is herein It repeats no more.And the cascade between different counters is carried out by spilling portion, then it can get bigger dilatation, and control more simple Folk prescription is just.Still optionally further, device can be negated between the counter through cascade two pixel units of spilling portion to be negated Thus triggering improves the sensitivity of upper level counter overflow signal perception and the convenience of control.Such as: for some picture For element combination, the count section of the counter of the spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit and second pixel unit Connection, and the control unit of the counter of second pixel unit is connect with the controller of first pixel unit, specifically, Signal can be controlled to the control unit hair of the counter of the second pixel unit by the controller of the first pixel unit, to control second The operations such as the counter of pixel unit is resetted, counting mode controls, wherein the counting mode of the first pixel unit can be used Traditional mode counts (as the pulse by known pulse is counted along triggering), and the meter of the counter of the second pixel unit Number mode is different from traditional counting mode, it is counted according to the spill over of the spilling portion of the counter of the first pixel unit The counter counts that the second pixel unit is triggered when signal condition variation occur for number, such as spilling portion of the counter of the first pixel unit Number, and reset after the counter overflow of the first pixel unit and start counting again, until the counter of the first pixel unit It overflows again, the counter which triggers the second pixel unit counts；It is completed repeatedly until counting；For the ease of The spill over of the counter of first pixel unit accurately triggers the counting operation of the counter of the second pixel unit, optionally, The count section for the counter that the spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit at least can negate device and the second pixel unit through one connects Connect, the program by negate device can it is sensitive perception the first pixel unit counter spill over state change, with accurate The counter for triggering the second pixel unit starts counting.

It counts after completing, it can be by acquisition information determination module according to the record of each counter of combination of pixels cascade As a result the acquisition information of at least described first pixel unit in the combination of pixels is determined.

(1) in a kind of optional implementation, the control of first pixel unit can be passed through in the combination of pixels Device at least controls the counter of cascade first pixel unit and the counter of second pixel unit, to the picture The acquisition information of first pixel unit in element combination is recorded, and determines institute in the combination of pixels according to record result State the acquisition information of the first pixel unit.Under the situation, the digital image sensor can include: one first acquisition information determines Module, the first acquisition information determination module are connect at least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array respectively (such as described first acquisition information determination module can pass through the register counting with the first pixel unit in each combination of pixels respectively The connection of the counter of device and the second pixel unit), based on according at least to the first pixel unit described in the combination of pixels The record information of the counter of number device and second pixel unit determines the acquisition information of first pixel unit.Described One acquisition information determination module can also be connect with the controller of each pixel unit, in corresponding controllers (such as described first picture The controller of plain unit) control under determine the need for reading the record result and determining therefrom that of corresponding counter and adopt accordingly Collect information.Due to the difference of cascade each counter triggering mode, the unit count value institute table of the counter of the first pixel unit Meaning expressed by unit count value of the meaning shown with the counter of the second pixel unit is different, second pixel unit The unit count value of counter indicates the primary spilling (being equivalent to maximum count value) of the counter of the first pixel unit, also The count value of cascade each counter united recording is determined by following formula:

M=M_n·N_max+M_n+1...............................................(1)

Wherein, M indicates the count value of united recording, M_nIndicate the count value that the counter of the second pixel unit is read, N_max Indicate the maximum count value of the counter of the first pixel unit, M_n+1Indicate the count value that the counter of the first pixel unit is read. It is that can determine the acquisition of the first pixel unit using the prior art after the count value for obtaining cascade each counter united recording Information, details are not described herein.In the program, the acquisition information of the first pixel unit in the combination of pixels not only passes through itself It is recorded, is also recorded by the second pixel unit associated with it, in this way, being in the recording mode of acquisition information Multiple pixel units in combination of pixels are recorded into the acquisition information of a certain pixel unit jointly, which thereby enhance single pixel Unit allows the dynamic range acquired.It include the situation of three or three or more pixel units for combination of pixels, it can be according to this The cascade concrete mode of counter for each pixel unit that combination of pixels includes determines the unit meter of the counter of each pixel unit Meaning represented by numerical value, and then the count value of each counter of combination determines the meter of the first pixel unit described in the combination of pixels Numerical value, specific implementation is similar with examples detailed above, and details are not described herein.

Optionally, the counter of the counter of the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit realizes grade in some combination of pixels Connection and the optional circuit logic diagram for planning as a whole to control are as shown in figure 3, the combination of pixels further include: one first multiple selector 271, One second multiple selector 272 and an acquisition mode selector 28；The input unit of first multiple selector 271 is separately connected The spilling portion of the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A is (such as by the highest order of counter 251 N and the first multiple selector 271 input unit connection) and the second pixel unit B counting pulse triggering source (if necessary to the second pixel unit B Photoelectric detector information collected individually count, which is counted based on the counting pulse triggering source), The output section of first multiple selector 271 connects the count section of the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B, and described The control unit of one multiple selector 271 is connect with an acquisition mode selector 28 respectively；Second multiple selector 272 it is defeated Enter portion and is separately connected the controller 241 of the first pixel unit A and the controller 242 of the second pixel unit B, described The selector of two multiple selector 272 is connect with the acquisition mode selector 28, the output of second multiple selector 272 Portion is connect with the control unit of the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B.It can be exported according to the acquisition mode selector 28 Acquisition mode selection control signal, selecting the second pixel unit B is acquired in pixel normal acquisition mode or pixel redundancy Mode, more preferably to meet diversified practical application request.

The program is controlled by the selection of image acquisition modality, the conventional images acquisition side of compatible digital image sensor Formula, improves the universality of scheme, more preferably meets diversified practical application request, wherein pixel acquisition mode include pixel just Normal acquisition mode and pixel redundancy acquisition mode.The pixel normal acquisition mode is traditional pixel acquisition mode, the mode In, the acquisition information of the respective photoelectric detector of the counter records of each pixel unit, such as the counter of each pixel unit is to respective Acquisition information count etc., count after completing, according to the respective record result (such as count results) of each pixel unit The acquisition information of each pixel unit is determined respectively.And the pixel redundancy acquisition mode and traditional pixel normal acquisition mode are not Together, under the pixel redundancy acquisition mode, not all pixels unit all record itself acquisition information, but and other Pixel unit is associated with to carry out united recording, thus improves the dynamic that partial pixel unit allows to obtain in image acquisition process Range.

Still optionally further, the spilling portion of the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A negates device 29 and described the through one The input unit of one multiple selector 271 connects, so that the signal condition variation of the spilling portion of sensitive perception counter 251 triggers The counting of counter 252.

Optionally, it is carried out in image acquisition process based on digital image sensor, Image Acquisition control device can pass through Acquisition mode selector exports acquisition mode selection control signal, controls the first multiple selector 271 and the second multiple selector 272 selections access corresponding with the control signal that acquisition mode selector exports.

Optional control method is for example: when determining that at least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array needs to use When pixel redundancy acquisition mode is acquired control, the output of controllable pixels acquisition mode selector 28 indicates the acquisition of pixel redundancy The control signal of mode, to trigger the counter 251 that first multiple selector 271 gates the first pixel unit A Access and triggering the second multichannel choosing between the count section of the counter 252 of spilling portion and the second pixel unit B Device 252 is selected to gate between the controller 241 of the first pixel unit A and the control unit of the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B Access.Specifically, if it is pixel redundancy acquisition mode that acquisition mode selector output acquisition mode, which selects control signal, Then the second multiple selector 272 is connected to A input channel (being connected to the output end of the controller 241 of the first pixel unit A), first Multiple selector 271 is connected to A input channel (being connected to the spilling portion of the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A).The situation is suitable In the control of 241 the second pixel unit of adapter tube B of controller of the first pixel unit A, by the controller 241 of the first pixel unit A The counter 252 for controlling the second pixel unit B resetted, counting mode etc., in addition, the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B Counting mode also changed, be changed by the signal condition of the spilling portion of the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A into Row counts triggering, therefore, the no longer corresponding second pixel unit B of the count value of the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B under the situation Acquisition information, but the part of corresponding first pixel unit A acquires information, and the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B Unit count value indicate be the first pixel unit A counter 251 primary spilling, for example, optionally, the first pixel list The spilling portion of the counter 251 of first A negates device 29 through one and connect with the input unit of the first multiple selector 271, when counter 251 Overflow, counter 251 reset counts again, the signal condition of the highest order (N) of counter 251 change (assuming that by " 1 " becomes " 0 "), the signal condition after variation, which is transmitted to, to be negated device 29 and is negated (assuming that becoming " 1 " from " 0 "), at this point, touching The counter 252 for sending out the second pixel unit B counts and (adds 1 operation as executed)；Likewise, after counter 251 counts spilling again Meeting flip-flop number 252 counts (such as executing again adds 1 to operate), etc. again.It counts after completing, according to the first pixel unit The count value of the counter 252 of the count value of the counter 251 of A and the second pixel unit B determines the first pixel unit A's jointly Acquire information.As it can be seen that the acquisition of multiple pixel unit united recording single pixel units is believed under pixel redundancy acquisition mode Breath, the actually available capacity for being equivalent to the counter of corresponding single pixel unit are able to dilatation, which thereby enhance single pixel list Member allows the dynamic range acquired.

When determine at least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array need using pixel normal acquisition mode into When row acquisition control, the output of pixel acquisition mode selector 28 can control to indicate the control letter of pixel normal acquisition mode Number, to trigger the counting pulse triggering source and described second that first multiple selector 271 gates the second pixel unit B Access and the triggering gating of the second multiple selector 272 second between the count section of the counter 252 of pixel unit B Access between the control unit of the counter 252 of the controller 242 of pixel unit B and the second pixel unit B.It is specific and Speech, if it is pixel normal acquisition mode, the choosing of the second multichannel that acquisition mode selector output acquisition mode, which selects control signal, It selects device 272 and is connected to B input channel (being connected to the output end of the controller 242 of the second pixel unit B), the first multiple selector 271 connections B input channel (being connected to the counting pulse triggering source of the second pixel unit B).Under the situation, the second pixel unit B Controller 242 control the second pixel unit B counter 252 resetted, the control such as counting mode, the second pixel unit B Counter 252 the acquisition information of second pixel unit B is counted, count complete after, controller 242 control the second picture The register 262 of plain unit B reads the count value of counter 252, and the acquisition of the second pixel unit B is determined according to the count value Information；The acquisition mode of first pixel unit A is same, it may be assumed that the controller 241 of the first pixel unit A controls the first pixel The controls such as the counter 251 of unit A resetted, counting mode, the counter 251 of the second pixel unit B is to the first pixel list The acquisition information of first A is counted, and is counted after completing, and the register 261 that controller 241 controls the first pixel unit A is read The count value of counter 251, and determine according to the count value acquisition information of the first pixel unit A；Etc..As it can be seen that in pixel Under normal acquisition mode, each pixel unit acquires respectively and respectively records the acquisition information of itself.

(2) in another optional implementation, the control of first pixel unit can be passed through in the combination of pixels Device processed, at least counter of the counter of first pixel unit of control asynchronous cascade and second pixel unit, it is right Total acquisition information of each pixel unit is recorded in the combination of pixels；It is determined according to record result each in the combination of pixels Total acquisition information of pixel unit.Under the situation, the digital image sensor can include: one second acquisition information determines mould Block, the second acquisition information determination module are connect (such as at least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array respectively The first acquisition information determination module can pass through the register counter with the first pixel unit in each combination of pixels respectively Connected with the counter of the second pixel unit), for the counting according at least to the first pixel unit described in the combination of pixels The record information of the counter of device and second pixel unit determines the acquisition information of the combination of pixels.First acquisition Information determination module can also be connect with the controller of each pixel unit, in corresponding controllers (such as described first pixel unit Controller) control under determine the need for reading the record result of corresponding counter and determine therefrom that corresponding acquisition letter Breath.

Determine that the formula of the count value of cascade each counter united recording can refer to above formula (1), obtain count value it Afterwards, the acquisition information according to represented by the unit count value of each counter determines total acquisition information of the combination of pixels.It is right In the situation that combination of pixels includes three or three or more pixel units, each pixel unit that can include according to the combination of pixels The concrete mode of counter asynchronous cascade determines meaning represented by the unit count value of the counter of each pixel unit, Jin Erjie The count value for closing each counter determines that the count value of combination of pixels entirety, specific implementation are similar with examples detailed above.It obtains It is that can determine the acquisition information of the combination of pixels using the prior art, herein after the count value that combination of pixels integrally records It repeats no more.

Optionally, the counter of the counter of the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit realizes grade in some combination of pixels Connection and the optional circuit logic diagram for planning as a whole to control are as shown in figure 4, with circuit logic diagram shown in Fig. 3 comparatively, the two is in number Word domain passes through the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A and the cascade mode united recording of counter 252 of the second pixel unit B The mode for acquiring information is similar, and it is first picture that the main distinction, which includes: each counter united recording of (1) Fig. 3 cascade, The acquisition information of plain unit A, and each counter united recording of Fig. 4 cascade is each pixel unit of the combination of pixels (this Be the first pixel unit A and the second pixel unit B in example) total acquisition information: (2) Fig. 4 corresponding pixel acquisition Mode includes: pixel normal acquisition mode and combination of pixels acquisition mode, the combination of pixels acquisition mode and traditional Pixel normal acquisition mode is different, and under the combination of pixels acquisition mode, each pixel unit is not that separate records are respectively adopted The information of collection, but at least two pixels (such as the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit) is a combination of pixels, with picture Plain group is combined into granularity by way of the counter asynchronous cascade of pixel unit each in the combination of pixels to the total of the combination of pixels Acquisition information is recorded, and the dynamic range that combination of pixels allows to obtain in image acquisition process is thus improved.

Acquisition information respective to each pixel unit in combination of pixels carries out cumulative specific implementation, can be according to reality Border it needs to be determined that, the embodiment of the present application is not intended to limit, optionally, can analog domain be arranged adder mode in combination of pixels The respective acquisition information of each pixel unit add up, the program is simply easily realized, specifically, optionally, the pixel Combination a further include: adder 210.The input unit of the adder 210 respectively with each pixel unit in the combination of pixels Photoelectric detector output end connection, to be carried out in acquisition information of the analog domain to the output of the photoelectric detector of each pixel unit It is cumulative；The output section of the adder 210 is connect with the controller of a certain pixel unit in the combination of pixels, and by the control Device processed carries out pool control to the counter of each pixel unit in the combination of pixels, to pass through each pixel unit in the combination of pixels The mode of counter asynchronous cascade total acquisition information of the combination of pixels is recorded.For example, in the combination of pixels packet In the case of including the first pixel unit A and the second pixel unit B, the input unit of the adder 210 respectively with first picture The output end of the photoelectric detector of plain unit A is connected with the output end of the photoelectric detector of the second pixel unit B, described to add The output section of musical instruments used in a Buddhist or Taoist mass 210 is connect with the controller of the first pixel unit A, from there through the first picture described in the combination of pixels Total acquisition of the mode of the counter asynchronous cascade of the counter of plain unit A and the second pixel unit B to the combination of pixels Information is recorded.

Still optionally further, the combination of pixels further include: a third multiple selector 273, the third multi-path choice The input terminal of device 273 is defeated with the Photoelectric Detection portion of certain pixel unit (such as the first pixel unit A) in the combination of pixels respectively Portion and the connection of the output section of the adder 210, the output section of the third multiple selector 273 and certain pixel unit out The controller 241 of (such as the first pixel unit A) connects, and the selector of the third multiple selector 273 and pixel acquire mould Formula selector 28 connects.It is carried out in image acquisition process based on digital image sensor, Image Acquisition control device can pass through Acquisition mode selector exports acquisition mode selection control signal, controls the first multiple selector 271, the second multiple selector 272, the selection of third multiple selector 273 access corresponding with acquisition mode selection control signal, it is thus more preferable to meet multiplicity The practical application request of change, optional control method for example:

When determine at least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array need using pixel normal acquisition mode into When row acquisition control, the pixel acquisition mode selector output can control to indicate the control signal of pixel normal acquisition mode, To trigger the counting pulse triggering source and the second pixel list that first multiple selector gates second pixel unit Access, triggering second multiple selector between the count section of the counter of member gate the controller of the second pixel unit with Described in access and triggering the third multiple selector gating between the control unit of the counter of second pixel unit Access between the output section in the Photoelectric Detection portion of the first pixel unit and the controller of first pixel unit.It is specific and Speech, if it is pixel normal acquisition mode, third multichannel that acquisition mode selector 28, which exports acquisition mode to select control signal, Selector 273 is connected to A input channel (i.e. the output end of the photoelectric detector of connected pixel unit A).Under the situation, pixel unit The acquisition information that A is exported to its controller 241 is the acquisition information of pixel unit A itself, and controller 241 controls pixel unit A Counter 251 resetted, the control such as counting mode, count after completing, controller 241 controls the deposit of pixel unit A Device 261 reads the count value of counter 251, and the acquisition information of pixel unit A is determined according to the count value.And the second multichannel is selected It selects device 272 and is connected to B input channel (being connected to the output end of the controller 242 of the second pixel unit B), the first multiple selector 271 connections B input channel (i.e. the counting pulse triggering source of connected pixel unit B).Under the situation, the control of the second pixel unit B The controls such as the counter 252 that device 242 processed controls the second pixel unit B resetted, counting mode, the meter of the second pixel unit B Number device 252 counts the acquisition information of the second pixel unit B, counts after completing, and controller 242 controls the second pixel list The register 262 of first B reads the count value of counter 252, and determines that the acquisition of the second pixel unit B is believed according to the count value Breath.As it can be seen that each pixel unit acquires respectively and respectively records the acquisition information of itself under pixel normal acquisition mode.

When determine at least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array need using pixel normal acquisition mode into When row acquisition control, the pixel acquisition mode selector output can control to indicate the control signal of combination of pixels acquisition mode, With trigger first multiple selector gate first pixel unit counter spilling portion and the second pixel list Access, triggering second multiple selector between the count section of the counter of member gate the control of first pixel unit Access and triggering the third multiple selector gating between the control unit of the counter of device and second pixel unit Access between the output section of the adder and the controller of first pixel unit.Specifically, if acquisition It is combination of pixels acquisition mode that mode selector 28, which exports acquisition mode and selects control signal, then third multiple selector 273 connects Logical B input channel (being connected to the output end of adder 210).Under the situation, the first pixel unit A is exported to its controller 241 Acquisition information be combination of pixels total acquisition information (i.e. the first pixel unit A photoelectric detector output analog acquisition letter The accumulation information for the analog acquisition information that the photoelectric detector of breath and the second pixel unit B export), the control of the first pixel unit A Device 241 processed carries out pool control to the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A and the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B, wherein Second multiple selector 272 is connected to A input channel (being connected to the output end of the controller 241 of the first pixel unit A), more than first Road selector 271 is connected to A input channel (being connected to the spilling portion of the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A).The situation is equivalent to The control of 241 the second pixel unit of adapter tube B of controller of first pixel unit A, is controlled by the controller 241 of the first pixel unit A The counter 252 for making the second pixel unit B resetted, counting mode etc., in addition, the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B Counting mode is also changed, and is carried out by the signal condition variation of the spilling portion of the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A Triggering is counted, therefore, the no longer corresponding second pixel unit B of the count value of the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B under the situation Acquisition information, but the partial information in total acquisition information of combination of pixels, and the counter 252 of the second pixel unit B What unit count value indicated is the primary spilling of the counter 251 of the first pixel unit A, for example, optionally, the first pixel unit The spilling portion of the counter 251 of A negates device 29 through one and connect with the input unit of the first multiple selector 271, when counter 251 overflows Out, the reset of counter 251 counts again, and the signal condition of the highest order (N) of counter 251 changes (assuming that by " 1 " Become " 0 "), the signal condition after variation, which is transmitted to, to be negated device 29 and is negated (assuming that becoming " 1 " from " 0 "), at this point, triggering the The counter 252 of two pixel unit B counts and (adds 1 operation as executed)；Likewise, counter 251 can touch after counting spilling again Hair counter 252 counts (such as executing again adds 1 to operate), etc. again.It counts after completing, according to the first pixel unit A's The count value of the counter 252 of the count value of counter 251 and the second pixel unit B determines adopting for the first pixel unit A jointly Collect information.As it can be seen that the counter asynchronous cascade of multiple pixel units carrys out the united recording pixel under combination of pixels acquisition mode Combination total acquisition information, be equivalent to each pixel unit in the combination of pixels record respectively respectively acquire information the prior art and Speech, is equivalent to the permission counter capacity to the combination of pixels and has carried out dilatation, which thereby enhancing single pixel unit allows to acquire Dynamic range.

In actual application, at least local of digital image sensor can be determined according to the actual demand of Image Acquisition Whether imaging region (region corresponding at least partly pixel unit i.e. in pixel unit array) is in which kind of pixel acquisition Mode.Optional scene is illustrated below.

In the Image Acquisition application of (scene 1) certain scenes, the physics picture of the digital image sensor of image capture device Plain resolution ratio can exceed that the optical resolution of its camera lens, thus may cause the redundancy of pixel unit, the embodiment of the present application The technical solution of offer can obtain the big of blur circle in at least localized imaging region acquired image of digital image sensor It is small；Calculate the ratio of the size of blur circle and the size of pixel unit, size and the pixel list in response to the blur circle The ratio of the size of member is more than a permissible range, determines that at least localized imaging region is in pixel redundancy acquisition mode or picture Element combination acquisition mode.If the ratio of the size of the blur circle and the size of the pixel unit allows model described in falling into It encloses, then can determine that at least localized imaging region is in pixel normal acquisition mode；Determine at least localized imaging region After pixel normal acquisition mode, each pixel unit carries out image using existing way in at least localized imaging region Acquisition, such as the counter of each pixel unit count respective acquisition information.The program passes through Image Acquisition The selection of mode controls, and the conventional images acquisition mode of compatible digital image sensor improves the universality of scheme, more preferable full The diversified practical application request of foot.

For example, optical diffraction formed Airy disk be object point formed have a certain size blur circle picture the form of expression it One, it might as well be illustrated by taking Airy disk as an example, due to the fluctuation of light, when carrying out Image Acquisition, even if through perfect optics In the case where system and exact focus, imaging of the light of each object point of target object on digital image sensor is also to have one Determine the hot spot of size, i.e. Airy disk；For visible light (might as well be by 530 nanometers of wavelength calculating of green light), when using aperture F/22 When carrying out Image Acquisition, generated Airy disk diameter is about 29.3 microns；If physical picture element on digital image sensor Size (i.e. the size of single pixel unit) be 6.3 microns, then under the situation, optical resolution become imaging effect bottle Neck carries out Image Acquisition institute using the digital image sensor of high physical picture element resolution ratio (size such as single physical pixel is small) The imaging effect of acquisition is passed with using the digital picture of slightly lower physical picture element resolution ratio (size of such as single physical pixel is slightly larger) Sensor carries out Image Acquisition imaging effect obtained and differs unobvious, accordingly, it can be determined that the pixel list of digital image sensor Pixel unit is in pixel redundancy acquisition mode or combination of pixels acquisition mode to element array in whole or in part.The program calculates in love The ratio is compared, if the ratio is fallen by the ratio of the size of the size and pixel unit of spot with scheduled permissible range Enter the permissible range, then can not start pixel redundancy acquisition mode or combination of pixels acquisition mode (can start pixel normally to adopt Integrated mode), whereas if the ratio exceeds the permissible range, then it can start pixel redundancy acquisition mode；Wherein, the appearance Perhaps range determine according to actual needs, can such as can determine that the radius of Airy disk and the ratio of the side length of pixel unit are less than or equal to 2 range is the permissible range.The program can there may be carry out image under the conditions ofs optical diffraction limitation etc. in small aperture etc. Start pixel redundancy acquisition mode or combination of pixels acquisition mode when acquisition, is allowed with improving single pixel unit or combination of pixels The dynamic range of acquisition.

Optionally, each pixel unit of a certain combination of pixels is adjacent to each other, such as: in a kind of optional implementation, such as Shown in Fig. 1, it may be determined that the corresponding imaging region of all pixels unit of the pixel unit array of digital image sensor, to need Using the imaging region of pixel redundancy acquisition mode or combination of pixels acquisition mode, adjacent pixel unit is a pixel group two-by-two It closes, carries out pixel redundancy acquisition control or combination of pixels acquisition control by granularity of combination of pixels.Given in figure two it is adjacent Pixel unit be a combination of pixels mode example, it will be understood that according to the needs of practical application, can also be according to position phase The principles such as adjacent or close determine that three or three or more pixel units are a combination of pixels, each pixel unit in the combination of pixels Between counter carry out asynchronous cascade to obtain the dynamic range of bigger possible acquisition, asynchronous cascade mode can be used concatenation or The modes such as overflow position flip-flop number, repeat no more.

In the Image Acquisition application of (scene 2) certain scenes, in image capture device using Digital Zoom mode to target When object carries out Image Acquisition, only local center imaging region carries out Image Acquisition, other edges in digital image sensor Imaging region does not carry out Image Acquisition, that is to say, that for the Image Acquisition of Digital Zoom mode, digital picture sensing The localized imaging region of device is effective imaging region and other imaging regions are invalid imaging region, in the case where meeting certain condition, The pixel unit in effective imaging region can be associated by the pixel unit in invalid imaging region to form pixel group It closes, and then the dynamic range that the pixel unit come in extremely efficient imaging region allows to acquire.Specifically, described in determining at least Localized imaging region is in pixel redundancy acquisition mode, it may include: obtain the image capture device of the digital image sensor Digital Zoom multiplying power；Be greater than or equal to a given threshold in response to the Digital Zoom multiplying power, determine at least part at As region is in pixel redundancy acquisition mode.The given threshold can determine according to actual needs, optionally, the given threshold It can be 1.4 times or a certain Digital Zoom multiplying power greater than 1.4 times, for example, as shown in figure 5, the digital picture for 13 × 13 passes For sensor, when Digital Zoom multiplying power is more than 1.4 times, pixel unit in the invalid imaging region of digital image sensor Quantity is greater than or equal to the quantity of the pixel unit in effective imaging region.Can determine in digital image sensor with the number The partial pixel unit (indicated in figure with white area) in the corresponding effective imaging region of zoom ratio is first pixel At least partly pixel unit in other imaging regions except unit set, effective imaging region is second pixel Unit set (is indicated in figure with darker regions).Association might as well be established in such a way that the pixel unit in Two Areas is using 1:1 For be illustrated, some in some first pixel unit and the second pixel unit set in the first pixel unit set Two pixel units association, by the acquisition information of the first pixel unit of associated two pixel unit united recordings, wherein can close The mode of connection is established between the pixel unit of connection to establish association, and in order to when facilitating chip as far as possible designs pixel unit it Between the complexity that connects and reduce loss etc., certain scheduled strategies can be used to determine associating policy, for example, in design chips When, the connection of the pairing between two class pixel units (the arrow signal the in figure can be optimized according to overall wire length is most short The pairing relationship of one pixel unit and the second pixel unit being associated), it further, can also be based on greedy random algorithm knot It closes the prior arts such as local improvement and optimizes pairing, details are not described herein.

In the Image Acquisition application of (scene 3) certain scenes, digital image sensor and non-acquired full focal length or panorama are deep Image, that is to say, that digital image sensor corresponds to the first imaging region of the image of the part in target object field depth Acquired image is clear, and corresponds to the of the acquisition of target object part out of focus (the usually part outside field depth) image Two imaging region acquired images are fuzzy.As shown in fig. 6, for the first imaging region (usually center of image clearly Domain) pixel normal acquisition mode progress Image Acquisition can be used；(center is usually removed for blurred image second imaging region Fringe region except region) it can improve in combination of pixels that at least a pixel unit allows to acquire by way of combination of pixels Dynamic range, as improve combination of pixels in the first pixel unit allow acquire dynamic range, alternatively, improve combination of pixels it is whole The dynamic range etc. that body allows to acquire, it may be assumed that corresponding in response at least localized imaging region (such as described second imaging region) The acquisition of target object parts of images out of focus determines that at least localized imaging region is in pixel redundancy acquisition mode or pixel Combine acquisition mode.Optionally, adjacent to each other between different pixels unit in combination of pixels, in order to different pixels unit it Between establish association.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that in any of the above-described method of the application specific embodiment, each step Serial number size is not meant that the order of the execution order, and the execution sequence of each step should be determined by its function and internal logic, and Any restriction should not be constituted to the implementation process of the application specific embodiment.

In the application the various embodiments described above, the serial number and/or sequencing of embodiment are merely convenient of description, do not represent reality Apply the superiority and inferiority of example.It all emphasizes particularly on different fields to the description of each embodiment, there is no the part being described in detail in some embodiment, may refer to it The associated description of his embodiment.The associated description of implementation principle or process in relation to device, equipment or system embodiment, reference can be made to The record of correlation method embodiment, details are not described herein.

Fig. 7 is a kind of structural schematic diagram of image capture device provided by the embodiments of the present application, the application specific embodiment The specific implementation of image capture device 700 is not limited.As shown in fig. 7, image capture device 700 may include:

Processor (Processor) 710,720, memory communication interface (Communications Interface) (Memory) 730, communication bus 740 and digital image sensor 750.Wherein:

Processor 710, communication interface 720 and memory 730 complete mutual communication by communication bus 740.

Communication interface 720, for being communicated with digital image sensor 750 Deng.

Processor 710 can specifically execute the correlation step in any of the above-described embodiment of the method for executing program 732；

Digital image sensor 750 is any digital image sensor provided by the embodiments of the present application.

For example, program 732 may include program code, said program code includes computer operation instruction.

Processor 710 may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, abbreviation CPU), either Specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, abbreviation ASIC), or be arranged to Implement one or more integrated circuits of the embodiment of the present application.

Memory 730, for storing program 732.Memory 730 may include random access memory (Random Access Memory, abbreviation RAM), it is also possible to it further include nonvolatile memory (Non-volatile memory), such as extremely A few magnetic disk storage.

For example, following steps can be performed by executing program 732 in processor 710 in a kind of optionally implementation: In each combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, the cascade first pixel list is at least controlled The counter of member and the counter of second pixel unit, at least to first pixel unit in the combination of pixels Acquisition information is recorded；The acquisition letter of at least described first pixel unit in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result Breath.

In other optionally implementation, processor 710 can also carry out other above-mentioned any realities by executing program 732 The step of example refers to is applied, details are not described herein.

In program 732 specific implementation of each step may refer to corresponding steps in above-described embodiment, module, submodule, Corresponding description in unit, details are not described herein.It is apparent to those skilled in the art that for the convenience of description With it is succinct, the equipment of foregoing description and the specific work process of module can refer to corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiment Description, details are not described herein.

Those of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that list described in conjunction with the examples disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure Member and method and step can be realized with the combination of electronic hardware or computer software and electronic hardware.These functions are actually It is implemented in hardware or software, the specific application and design constraint depending on technical solution.Professional technician Each specific application can be used different methods to achieve the described function, but this realization is it is not considered that exceed Scope of the present application.

It, can be with if the function is realized in the form of SFU software functional unit and when sold or used as an independent product It is stored in a computer readable storage medium.Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the application is substantially in other words The part of the part that contributes to existing technology or the technical solution can be embodied in the form of software products, the meter Calculation machine software product is stored in a storage medium, including some instructions are used so that a computer equipment (can be a People's computer, server or network equipment etc.) execute each embodiment the method for the application all or part of the steps. And storage medium above-mentioned includes: USB flash disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, abbreviation ROM), deposits at random Various Jie that can store program code such as access to memory (Random Access Memory, abbreviation RAM), magnetic or disk Matter.

In the embodiments such as the device of the application, method, system, it is clear that each component (system, subsystem, module, submodule Block, unit, subelement etc.) or each step can decompose, combine and/or decompose after reconfigure.These decompose and/or again Combination nova should be regarded as the equivalent scheme of the application.Meanwhile in the description above to the application specific embodiment, for a kind of reality The feature that the mode of applying is described and/or shown can be made in one or more other embodiments in a manner of same or similar With, be combined with the feature in other embodiment, or substitution other embodiment in feature.

It should be emphasized that term "comprises/comprising" refers to the presence of feature, element, step or component when using herein, but simultaneously It is not excluded for the presence or additional of one or more other features, element, step or component.

Finally, it should be noted that embodiment of above is merely to illustrate the application, and it is not the limitation to the application, it is related The those of ordinary skill of technical field can also make a variety of changes in the case where not departing from spirit and scope And modification, therefore all equivalent technical solutions also belong to the scope of the application, the scope of patent protection of the application should be by right It is required that limiting.

Claims

1. a kind of digital image sensor characterized by comprising

One pixel unit array, each pixel unit in the pixel unit array include counter, connect with counter Controller and the photoelectric detector being connect with the controller；

At least partly pixel unit in the pixel unit array is associated as multiple combination of pixels, and each combination of pixels is at least wrapped Include one first pixel unit and one second pixel unit, the counter of first pixel unit and second pixel unit Counter cascades and the controller of first pixel unit is connect with the counter of second pixel unit.

2. digital image sensor according to claim 1, which is characterized in that the counter of first pixel unit and The counter asynchronous cascade of second pixel unit.

3. digital image sensor according to claim 2, which is characterized in that the counter of first pixel unit and The counter asynchronous cascade of second pixel unit includes: described in the spilling portion and one of the counter of first pixel unit The count section of the counter of second pixel unit connects.

4. digital image sensor according to claim 3, which is characterized in that the counter of first pixel unit Spilling portion at least negates device through one and connect with the count section of the counter of second pixel unit.

5. digital image sensor according to claim 3 or 4, which is characterized in that the combination of pixels further include: one One multiple selector, one second multiple selector and a pixel acquisition mode selector；

The input unit of first multiple selector is separately connected spilling portion and the institute of the counter of first pixel unit The counting pulse triggering source of the second pixel unit is stated, the output section of first multiple selector connects second pixel unit Counter count section, the control unit of first multiple selector connect with the pixel acquisition mode selector respectively；

The input unit of second multiple selector be separately connected first pixel unit controller and second pixel The controller of unit, the selector of second multiple selector are connect with the pixel acquisition mode selector, and described second The output section of multiple selector is connect with the control unit of the counter of second pixel unit.

6. a kind of control method of digital image sensor, which is characterized in that the digital image sensor is such as claim 5 The digital image sensor, which comprises

In each combination of pixels, by the controller of first pixel unit, cascade described first is at least controlled The counter of the counter of pixel unit and second pixel unit, at least to first pixel in the combination of pixels The acquisition information of unit is recorded；

7. according to the method described in claim 6, passing through described it is characterized in that, described in each combination of pixels The controller of one pixel unit at least controls the counter and second pixel unit of cascade first pixel unit Counter at least records the acquisition information of first pixel unit in the combination of pixels, comprising: the pixel In combination, by the controller of first pixel unit,

The counter of cascade first pixel unit and the counter of second pixel unit are at least controlled, to the picture The acquisition information of first pixel unit in element combination is recorded；

The acquisition information that at least described first pixel unit in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result, comprising: root The acquisition information of the first pixel unit described in the combination of pixels is determined according to record result.

8. passing through first picture the method according to the description of claim 7 is characterized in that described in the combination of pixels The controller of plain unit at least controls the counting of the counter and second pixel unit of cascade first pixel unit Device records the acquisition information of first pixel unit in the combination of pixels, comprising:

Controlling pixel acquisition mode selector output indicates the control signal of pixel redundancy acquisition mode, to trigger described the One multiple selector gates the spilling portion of the counter of first pixel unit and the counter of second pixel unit Access and triggering second multiple selector between count section gate the controller and described second of the first pixel unit Access between the control unit of the counter of pixel unit.

9. method according to claim 7 or 8, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

Controlling pixel acquisition mode selector output indicates the control signal of pixel normal acquisition mode, to trigger described the One multiple selector gates the counter for counting pulse triggering source and second pixel unit of second pixel unit Access and triggering second multiple selector between count section gate the controller and described second of the second pixel unit Access between the control unit of the counter of pixel unit.

10. a kind of image capture device characterized by comprising a digital picture sensing a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 Device, a processor, a communication interface, a memory and a communication bus；The processor, described is deposited at the communication interface Reservoir and the digital image sensor complete mutual communication by the communication bus；The memory is for storing At least one instruction；Described instruction makes the processor execute following operation: