WO2017101558A1

WO2017101558A1 - Image sensor, terminal comprising same, and imaging method

Info

Publication number: WO2017101558A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/100880
Authority: WO
Inventors: 李龙佳
Original assignee: 广东欧珀移动通信有限公司
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2016-09-29
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Also published as: CN105516695A; TW201724848A; CN105516695B; TWI615034B

Abstract

An image sensor, comprises a pixel unit array, an amplification conversion unit and filtering arrays, the pixel unit array comprising a plurality of pixel units; the amplification conversion unit being used for converting photo-generated charges generated by the pixel units into analog signals; the filtering arrays being arranged on the pixel unit array, each filtering array comprising a plurality of optical filters, and the optical filters of the same color corresponding to a plurality of pixel units; a first analog signal and a second analog signal being output after the photo-generated charges generated by the plurality of pixel units that the optical filters of the same color correspond to are converted by means of the amplification conversion unit, the first analog signal and the second analog signal being different. The image sensor provides a hardware basis for realizing an HDR function.

Description

Image sensor and terminal therewith, imaging method

Cross-reference to related applications

The present application is based on a Chinese patent application No. 20151096329, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical field

The present invention belongs to the field of image processing technologies, and in particular, to an image sensor, and a terminal and an imaging method having the image sensor.

Background technique

With the popularity of mobile phones, taking pictures with mobile phones has become a favorite of more and more people. However, with the improvement of the photographing requirements, the HDR (High-Dynamic Range) function of the image processing of the mobile phone has become a demand of the user. However, at present, the HDR function is generally implemented by software, and the effect is not obvious.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the related art to some extent.

In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention provides an image sensor including: a pixel unit array including a plurality of pixel units; an amplification conversion unit for converting photogenerated charges generated by the pixel units into analog signals; a filter array on the pixel unit array, each filter array includes a plurality of filters, the filter of the same color corresponding to a plurality of pixel units; wherein the filters of the same color correspond to The photo-generated charge generated by the plurality of pixel units is converted by the amplification conversion unit to output a first analog signal and a second analog signal, the first analog signal and the second analog signal being different.

In the image sensor of the present invention, the filter based on the same color corresponds to a plurality of pixel units, and the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filter of the same color are converted by the amplification conversion unit to output two different analog signals, thereby implementing HDR. The function provides a hardware foundation. Compared with the software in the related art to implement the HDR function, the image sensor can realize the HDR function and improve the HDR effect by improving the hardware.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the photo-generated charges of all the pixel units for outputting the first analog signal in the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filter of the same color share an amplification conversion unit output, The photo-generated charges of each of the pixel units for outputting the second analog signal among the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filter of the same color are independently output using one amplification conversion unit.

In at least one embodiment, the image sensor comprises a CMOS image sensor.

In at least one embodiment, the filter array comprises a Bayer array.

In at least one embodiment, the image sensor further includes: an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the first analog signal and the second analog signal into the first digital signal and the second Digital signal.

In at least one embodiment, a plurality of pixel cells corresponding to filters of the same color are located in different rows of the pixel cell array.

In at least one embodiment, the filter of the same color corresponds to 2 rows and 2 columns totaling 4 pixel units, and the photo-generated charges generated by the 2 pixel units located in the first row are accumulated and converted into the first by the amplification conversion unit. An analog signal, the photogenerated charge generated by each of the two pixel units in the second row is converted into a second analog signal by a corresponding amplification conversion unit, and the first analog signal and the second analog signal are passed through an ADC The units are converted into a first digital signal and a second digital signal, respectively.

In at least one embodiment, the image sensor further includes: a micromirror array disposed on the filter array, each micromirror in the micromirror array corresponding to one of the pixel units.

In at least one embodiment, the image sensor further includes a control module and an image processing module, the control module is configured to control the pixel unit array to be sequentially exposed in rows, and the image processing module outputs the output to the analog to digital conversion unit. The synthesis is performed to obtain a high dynamic range image.

In order to solve the above problems, another aspect of the present invention provides a terminal including the image sensor of the above aspect.

According to the terminal of the present invention, by adopting the image sensor, the HDR function can be realized based on the hardware structure of the image sensor, and the HDR image effect is improved.

In at least one embodiment, the imaging terminal comprises a cell phone.

In at least one embodiment, the imaging terminal further includes a central processing unit and a display device coupled to the image sensor, the central processor for controlling the display device to display a high dynamic range image of the image sensor output.

A further aspect of the present invention provides an imaging method based on the above image sensor, wherein a plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filter of the same color constitute a merged pixel, and the image processing method includes: reading the pixel An output of the cell array; and summing the outputs of the pixel cells of the same merged pixel to obtain pixel values of the merged pixels to generate a merged image.

Since the noise of the combined pixels is smaller than the sum of the noises of the pixels before the combination, the imaging method can obtain images with higher signal to noise ratio, brightness and sharpness, and less noise under low illumination. Overcoming the shortcomings of some existing imaging methods.

In at least one embodiment, the imaging device includes a register, each of the filter units covering 2*2 of the senses a light pixel; the reading step further comprising: collecting an output of the photosensitive pixel of the kth row and the k+1th row and storing the register, wherein k=2n-1, n is a natural number, and k+1 is less than Equal to the total number of rows of the photosensitive pixel array; and extracting the output of the photosensitive pixels of the kth row and the k+1th row from the register, and outputting the photosensitive pixels of the same pixel The pixel values of the merged pixels are obtained.

In at least one embodiment, the step of reading further comprises converting an analog signal output produced by the photosensitive pixel to a digital signal output.

In order to solve the above problems, another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile terminal, which includes a housing, a processor, a memory, a circuit board, and a power supply circuit, wherein the circuit board is disposed in the housing Inside the space, the processor and the memory are disposed on the circuit board; the power circuit is configured to supply power to each circuit or device of the mobile terminal; and the memory is used to store executable program code The processor runs a program corresponding to the executable program code by reading executable program code stored in the memory for performing the imaging method of the above-described embodiments of the present invention.

The mobile terminal of the embodiment of the present invention, by reading the output of the pixel unit array, adding the output of the pixel unit of the same merged pixel to obtain the pixel value of the merged pixel to generate a merged image, due to the noise of the merged pixel It is smaller than the sum of the noises of the pixels before the combination, and can obtain images with high signal-to-noise ratio, high brightness and sharpness, and less noise under low illumination.

In order to solve the above problems, a further aspect of the present invention provides a computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, when the processor of the mobile terminal executes the instructions, the mobile terminal performs the implementation as described above The imaging method described in the example.

The additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic diagram of an image sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram of an image sensor in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of a filter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of an image sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an image sensor in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a block diagram of a terminal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a flow chart of an imaging method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a flow chart of an imaging method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a flow chart of an imaging method in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, and the examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting.

An image sensor and a terminal having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image sensor 100 includes a pixel unit array 10, an amplification conversion unit 20, and a filter array 30.

The pixel unit array 10 includes a plurality of pixel units 11; the amplification conversion unit 20 is configured to convert the photo-generated charges generated by the pixel units 11 into analog signals; the filter array 30 is disposed on the pixel unit array 10, and each of the filter arrays 30 includes The filter 31 and the filter 31 of the same color correspond to the plurality of pixel units 11.

The photo-generated charge generated by the plurality of pixel units 11 corresponding to the filter 31 of the same color is converted by the amplification conversion unit to output a first analog signal A1 and a second analog signal A2, and the first analog signal A1 and the second The analog signal A2 is different.

In the image sensor 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, the filter 31 based on the same color corresponds to the plurality of pixel units 11, and the plurality of pixel units 11 corresponding to the filter 31 of the same color are converted by the amplification conversion unit 20 to output two different The analog signal, thereby providing a hardware foundation for implementing the HDR function, can realize the HDR function compared to the software in the related art, and the image sensor 100 can improve the HDR effect by implementing the HDR function on the hardware improvement.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the photo-generated charges of all the pixel units 11 for outputting the first analog signal A1 in the plurality of pixel units 11 corresponding to the filter 31 of the same color are shared by one amplification conversion unit 20. The photo-generated charges of each of the pixel units 11 for outputting the second analog signal A2 in the plurality of pixel units 11 corresponding to the filter 31 of the same color are independently outputted by one amplification conversion unit 20. It can be understood that the first analog signal A1 is equivalent to the sum of the photo-generated charges of a part of the pixel units 11 of the plurality of pixel units 11 corresponding to the filter 31 of the same color, and the second analog signal A2 is equivalent to the The average of the photo-generated charges of the other portion of the pixel units 11 in the pixel unit 11, so that data can be provided for the synthesis of the HDR image based on the hardware structure.

In some embodiments of the invention, image sensor 100 includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. Filter array 30 includes a Bayer array.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image sensor 100 further includes an analog-to-digital conversion unit 40 that converts the first analog signal A1 and the second analog signal A2 into a first digital signal D1 and a second digital signal D2, respectively. Image processing provides data.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of pixel units 11 corresponding to the filters 31 of the same color are located in different rows of the pixel unit array 10.

For example, the filter 31 of the same color corresponds to 2 rows and 2 columns in total of 4 pixel units, and the photo-generated charges generated by the 2 pixel units 11 in the first row are accumulated and converted into the first analog signal A1 by the amplification conversion unit 20, The photogenerated charges generated by each of the two pixel units located in the second row are converted into the second analog signal A2 by the corresponding amplification conversion unit 20, and the first analog signal A1 and the second analog signal A2 are passed through a mode. The number conversion unit 40 converts into a first digital signal D1 and a second digital signal D2, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram of filter distribution according to an embodiment of the present invention, the filter array 30 adopts a Bayer array color mode in which the same characters represent filters of the same color (for example, Gr, Gb, R, B). The number after the character indicates the row number of the pixel unit corresponding to the filter of the same color, and the filters of different colors allow only the light of the corresponding wavelength to pass.

4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, including a first pixel unit PD1 and a first transfer switch GT1, a second pixel unit PD2, and a second transfer switch GT2. The three pixel unit PD3 and the third transfer switch GT3, the fourth pixel unit PD4 and the fourth transfer switch GT4, the first amplification conversion unit SF1, the second amplification conversion unit SF2, the third amplification conversion unit SF3, and the analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) Unit 40. The pixel unit 11, for example, a photodiode, receives light transmitted by the filter 31 to generate electric charge, and when the transfer switch is turned on, the charge generated by the corresponding pixel unit 11 is output, and then coupled and converted into a voltage signal by the amplification conversion unit 20, Converting to digital signal output through the ADC unit provides a data foundation for image processing.

The first pixel unit PD1, the second pixel unit PD2, the third pixel unit PD3, and the fourth pixel unit PD4 are respectively adjacent pixel units of the filter 31 of the same color, as shown in FIG. 4, wherein The pixel unit 11 corresponding to the filter 31 having the same character is received, that is, four adjacent pixel units receive light of the same color. Briefly, four pixel units constitute one large pixel. And the first pixel unit PD1 and the second pixel unit PD2 are located in the same row, and the third pixel unit PD3 and the fourth pixel unit PD4 are located in the same row.

Specifically, the first pixel unit PD1 is connected to the first end of the first amplification conversion unit SF1 through the first transmission switch TG1, and the second pixel unit PD2 is connected to the first end of the first amplification conversion unit SF1 through the second transmission switch TG2. The second end of the first amplification conversion unit SF1 is connected to a preset power source such as Vdd; the third pixel unit PD3 is connected to the first end of the second amplification conversion unit SF2 through the third transmission switch TG3, and the second amplification conversion unit SF2 The second terminal unit PD4 is connected to the first end of the third amplification conversion unit SF3 through the fourth transmission switch TG4, and the third end of the third amplification conversion unit SF3 is connected to the preset power supply; the first transmission switch The control end of the TG1, the control end of the second transfer switch TG2, the control end of the third transfer switch TG3, and the control end of the fourth transfer switch TG4 are all connected to the control module, and the control module controls the switches of the four transfer switches in the transfer switch. When turned on, the corresponding pixel unit 11 transmits a signal.

The input ends of the analog-to-digital conversion unit 40 and the third end and the second amplification conversion unit of the first amplification conversion unit SF1, respectively The third end of the SF2 is connected to the third end of the third amplification conversion unit SF3.

It can be understood that the circuit obtained by integrally swapping the circuit diagrams in FIG. 4 is also included in the scope of the present application, that is, the two pixel units of the lower side share an amplification conversion unit, and the two pixel units of the upper side are separately separated. The use of an amplification conversion unit is also included in the scope of the present application, but differs in the component numbers.

In order to achieve the control of exposure, as shown in FIG. 4, the image sensor 100 further includes a control module, an image processor, a first reset unit RST1, a first selection unit SEL1, a second reset unit RET2, a third reset unit RET3, and a second The unit SEL2 is selected.

The first end of the first resetting unit RST1 is respectively connected to the first end of the first transfer switch TG1, the second transfer switch TG2 and the first amplification conversion unit SF1, and the second end of the first reset unit RST1 is connected to the preset power supply. The first end of the first selection unit SEL1 is connected to the third end of the first amplification conversion unit SF1, and the second end of the first selection unit SEL1 is connected to the input end of the analog-to-digital conversion unit 40. The first end of the second reset unit RET2 is connected to the first end of the third transfer switch TG3 and the second amplification conversion unit SF2, respectively, and the second end of the second reset unit RET2 is connected to the preset power supply; the third reset unit RET3 One end is connected to the first end of the fourth transfer switch TG4 and the fourth booster conversion unit SF4, respectively, and the second end of the third reset unit RET3 is connected to the preset power supply; the first end of the second selection unit SEL2 is respectively connected to the second increase The third end of the conversion unit SF2 is connected to the third end of the third amplification conversion unit SF3, and the second end of the second selection unit SEL2 is connected to the input end of the analog-to-digital conversion unit 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the second end of the first selection unit SEL1 and the second end of the second selection unit SEL2 are connected to a readout line (READOUT COLUMN), and the input of the analog-to-digital conversion unit 40 is connected to READOUT COLUMN.

The third end of the first reset unit RST1, the third end of the first selection unit SEL1, the third end of the second reset unit RET2, the third end of the third reset unit RET3, and the third end of the second selection unit SEL2 The terminal receives the control signal of the control module, and the control module controls the pixel unit array to sequentially expose according to the line, and controls the exposure time, that is, realizes the exposure control in the HDR process, thereby providing a data foundation for realizing HDR, and then the image sensing module performs analog to digital conversion. The output of unit 40 is synthesized to obtain a high dynamic range image.

As an example, two pixel units corresponding to each of the filters 31 of the 2i+1 (i=0, 1, 2, 3, 4...) rows in the pixel unit array 10 (such as filters Gr1, Gr2) The corresponding pixel unit), that is, the first pixel unit PD1 and the second pixel unit PD2, share an amplification conversion unit, that is, the first amplification conversion unit SF1, and the charges generated by the first pixel unit PD1 and the second pixel unit PD2 are collected, The first amplification conversion unit SF1 converts the charge collected by the first pixel unit PD1 and the second pixel unit PD2 into a voltage signal, and further converts it into a digital signal output through the analog-to-digital conversion unit 40, and sets the output of the analog-to-digital conversion unit 40 at this time. The value is ADC1; in addition, two pixel units of each filter 31 adjacent to the 2i+2 (i=0, 1, 2, 3, 4...) line of the 2i+1th row in the pixel unit array 10 ( For example, the filter unit Gr3, the pixel unit corresponding to Gr4), that is, the third pixel unit PD3 and the fourth pixel unit PD4 are respectively subjected to charge conversion by a second amplification conversion unit SF2 and a third amplification conversion unit SF3, and finally pass the modulus. The conversion unit 40 converts to a digital signal output, At this time, the output value of the ADC unit 11 is ADC2.

Specifically, the filter 31 of the same color corresponds to four pixel units adjacent to two rows and two columns as an example. Based on the above-described circuit configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when performing HDR, the control module controls two adjacent rows. The pixel units of the same color are sequentially exposed, for example, the 2i+1 and 2i+2 lines are sequentially exposed, wherein i=0, 1, 2, 3....., and the exposure time is controlled to avoid sharing the first increase. The output of the two pixel units 11 of the conversion unit SF1 is saturated. In the embodiment of the present invention, the amplification conversion unit 20 can function as a summary coupling of the electric charge outputted by the pixel unit 11, and it can be understood that, at this time, the first amplification conversion unit SF1, the second amplification conversion unit SF2, and the third The amount of charge collected by the amplification conversion unit SF3 or the converted voltage value satisfies: SF1≈2SF2≈2SF3, wherein the value of the output of the ADC2 is a relatively low value of the average value of SF2 and SF3, so the filter corresponding to the same color is used. The four pixel units 11 of 31 sequentially output a high ADC value and a low ADC value, thereby synthesizing the high ADC value and the low ADC value at the ISP (Image Signal Processor) end of the image sensor 100, thereby Obtain an HDR image that supports wide dynamics and improved HDR effects.

As shown in FIG. 5, the image sensor 100 further includes a micromirror array 50 disposed on the filter array 30. Each of the micromirrors 51 in the micromirror array 50 corresponds to one pixel unit 11, including formation, size, and position. . The micromirror 51 can collect light to the photosensitive portion of the pixel unit 11, and enhance the received light intensity of the pixel unit 11, thereby improving the image quality.

Based on the image sensor of the embodiment of the above aspect, a terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a terminal including the image sensor 100 of the above aspect, as shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the terminal 1000 may include a mobile phone.

As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal 1000 further includes a central processing unit 200 connected to the image sensor 100 and a display device 300 for controlling the display device 300 to display a high dynamic range image output by the image sensor 100. Thus, the image taken by the terminal 1000 can be displayed on the display device 300 for viewing by the user. The display device 300 includes an LED display or the like.

The terminal 1000 can implement the HDR function based on the hardware structure of the image sensor 100 by using the image sensor 100 to enhance the HDR image effect.

Based on the image sensor of the embodiment of the above aspect, an imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein a plurality of pixel units corresponding to filters of the same color constitute a merged pixel.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the imaging method includes the following steps:

S1, reading the output of the pixel unit array.

S2, adding the output of the pixel unit of the same merged pixel to obtain the pixel value of the merged pixel to generate a merged image.

The imaging method of the embodiment of the present invention assumes that the output of each pixel unit is S, the noise is N, and the merged pixel includes M pixel units, and the pixel value of the merged pixel is n*m*S, and the noise of the merged pixel for

In the case of n=2 and m=2, the noise of the synthesized pixel is about n*m*N/2. Therefore, the brightness of the merged image is improved in a low-brightness environment, and the noise-to-noise ratio is improved.

Referring to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, each filter of the same color of the image sensor corresponds to 2*2 pixel units, the image sensor includes a register, and step S2 further includes:

S201, collecting the output of the pixel unit of the kth row and the k+1th row and storing the register, wherein k=2n-1, n is a natural number, and k+1 is less than or equal to the total number of rows of the pixel unit array;

S202. Extract the output of the pixel unit of the kth row and the k+1th row from the register, and add the output of the pixel unit of the same merged pixel to obtain the pixel value of the merged pixel.

In this way, the process of reading, buffering, and merging the output of the pixel unit can be fully utilized by the register.

Referring to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, step S2 further includes:

S301. Convert an analog signal output generated by the pixel unit into a digital signal output; and

S302. The digital signal outputs of the pixel units of the same merged pixel are added to obtain pixel values of the merged pixels.

In this way, the image processing module, which is generally a digital signal processing chip, can directly process the output of the image sensor, and secondly, compared with some schemes that directly process the output of the analog signal format of the image sensor through the circuit, The information of the image is well preserved. For example, for an image sensor of 16 M pixels, the imaging method of the embodiment of the present invention can generate a combined image of 4 M pixels (merging 2*2 pixels) or 16 M pixels. The original image (ie not merged).

A further embodiment of the present invention further provides a mobile terminal, comprising: a housing, a processor, a memory, a circuit board, and a power supply circuit, wherein the circuit board is disposed inside a space enclosed by the housing, The processor and the memory are disposed on the circuit board; the power supply circuit is configured to supply power to each circuit or device of the mobile terminal; the memory is configured to store executable program code; the processor A program corresponding to the executable program code is executed by reading executable program code stored in the memory for performing the imaging method of the above aspect.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, when the processor of the mobile terminal executes the instruction, the mobile terminal performs the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. Imaging method.

It should be noted that, in this context, relational terms such as first and second are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply such entities or operations. There is any such actual relationship or order between them. Furthermore, the term "comprises" or "comprises" or "comprises" or any other variations thereof is intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or device that comprises a plurality of elements includes not only those elements but also Other elements, or elements that are inherent to such a process, method, item, or device. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the statement "including one..." are not excluded from inclusion. There are additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device of the elements.

The logic and/or steps represented in the flowchart or otherwise described herein, for example, may be considered as an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions, and may be embodied in any computer readable medium, Used in conjunction with, or in conjunction with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (eg, a computer-based system, a system including a processor, or other system that can fetch instructions and execute instructions from an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device) Or use with equipment. For the purposes of this specification, a "computer-readable medium" can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use in an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, or in conjunction with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of computer readable media include the following: electrical connections (electronic devices) having one or more wires, portable computer disk cartridges (magnetic devices), random access memory (RAM), Read only memory (ROM), erasable editable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), fiber optic devices, and portable compact disk read only memory (CDROM). In addition, the computer readable medium may even be a paper or other suitable medium on which the program can be printed, as it may be optically scanned, for example by paper or other medium, followed by editing, interpretation or, if appropriate, other suitable The method is processed to obtain the program electronically and then stored in computer memory.

It should be understood that portions of the invention may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. In the above-described embodiments, multiple steps or methods may be implemented in software or firmware stored in a memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented by any one or combination of the following techniques well known in the art: having logic gates for implementing logic functions on data signals. Discrete logic circuits, application specific integrated circuits with suitable combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

It should be noted that in the description of the specification, the descriptions of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific examples", or "some examples" and the like are meant to be combined with the embodiments or The specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in the examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In the present specification, the schematic representation of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, various embodiments or examples described in the specification, as well as features of various embodiments or examples, may be combined and combined.

In the description of the present specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" and the like means a specific feature described in connection with the embodiment or example. A structure, material or feature is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In the present specification, the schematic representation of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, various embodiments or examples described in the specification, as well as features of various embodiments or examples, may be combined and combined.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The embodiments are subject to variations, modifications, substitutions and variations.

Claims

An image sensor, comprising:

a pixel unit array comprising a plurality of pixel units;

An amplification conversion unit for converting a photo-generated charge generated by the pixel unit into an analog signal; and

a filter array disposed on the pixel unit array, the filter array includes a plurality of filters, and the filter of the same color corresponds to a plurality of pixel units;

The photo-generated charge generated by the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filter of the same color is converted by the amplification conversion unit to output a first analog signal and a second analog signal, the first analog signal and the first The two analog signals are different.
The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the photo-generated charges of all the pixel units for outputting the first analog signal in the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filter of the same color share an amplification conversion The unit outputs that the photo-generated charges of each of the pixel units for outputting the second analog signal in the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filter of the same color are independently output by using an amplification conversion unit.
The image sensor of claim 1 wherein said image sensor comprises a CMOS image sensor.
The image sensor of claim 1 wherein said filter array comprises a Bayer array.
The image sensor of claim 2, further comprising:

And an analog to digital conversion unit, configured to convert the first analog signal and the second analog signal into a first digital signal and a second digital signal, respectively.
The image sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filters of the same color are located in different rows of the pixel unit array.
The image sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filter of the same color corresponds to two rows and two columns of a total of four pixel units, and is generated by two pixel units located in the first row. The photo-generated charge is converted into a first analog signal by the amplification conversion unit, and the photo-generated charge generated by each pixel unit in the two pixel units in the second row is converted into a second analog signal by the corresponding amplification conversion unit. An analog signal and a second analog signal are respectively converted into a first digital signal and a second digital signal by an analog to digital conversion unit.
The image sensor of claim 1 further comprising:

A micromirror array disposed on the filter array, each micromirror in the micromirror array corresponding to one of the pixel units.
The image sensor of claim 5, further comprising:

And a control module for controlling the pixel unit array to be sequentially exposed in rows, and the image processing module synthesizes the output of the analog to digital conversion unit to obtain a high dynamic range image.
A terminal characterized by comprising the image sensor according to any one of claims 1-9.
The terminal of claim 10 wherein said terminal comprises a handset.
The terminal according to claim 10, wherein said terminal further comprises a central processing unit and said display device coupled to said image sensor, said central processor for controlling said display device to display said image sensor output High dynamic range image.
An imaging method of the image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pixel units corresponding to the filters of the same color constitute a merged pixel, and the image processing method comprises:

Reading the output of the array of pixel cells;

The outputs of the pixel units of the same merged pixel are added to obtain pixel values of the merged pixels to generate a merged image.
The image forming method according to claim 13, wherein each of said filters of the same color corresponds to 2*2 of said pixel units.
The imaging method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said image sensor comprises a register, and said reading step further comprises:

Acquiring an output of the pixel unit of the kth row and the k+1th row and storing the register, wherein k=2n-1, n is a natural number, and k+1 is less than or equal to a total number of rows of the pixel unit;

Extracting an output of the pixel unit of the kth row and the k+1th row from the register, and adding an output of the pixel unit of the same merged pixel to obtain a pixel value of the merged pixel.
The image forming method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the reading step further comprises:

The analog signal output produced by the pixel unit is converted to a digital signal output.
A mobile terminal includes a housing, a processor, a memory, a circuit board, and a power supply circuit, wherein the circuit board is disposed inside a space enclosed by the housing, and the processor and the memory are disposed in the a power supply circuit for supplying power to respective circuits or devices of the mobile terminal; the memory for storing executable program code; the processor reading an executable program stored in the memory The code runs a program corresponding to the executable program code for performing the imaging method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.
A computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, the mobile terminal performing the imaging method of any one of claims 13 to 16 when the processor of the mobile terminal executes the instructions.