Image sensor apparatus and method for obtaining multiple exposures with zero interframe time

[0001] The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/321,166, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH ZERO INTERFRAME TIME,” filed May 14, 2021, which in turn is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/857,016, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH ZERO INTERFRAME TIME,” filed Apr. 23, 2020, which in turn is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/519,244, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH ZERO INTERFRAME TIME,” filed Jul. 23, 2019, which in turn is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/891,251, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH ZERO INTERFRAME TIME,” filed Feb. 7, 2018, which in turn, is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH ZERO INTERFRAME TIME,” filed Aug. 11, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,918,017. The foregoing applications and/or patents are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/534,079, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,137,455, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH ZERO INTERFRAME TIME,” filed Nov. 5, 2014. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0003] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/568,045, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,406,147, entitled “COLOR BALANCE IN DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY,” filed on Dec. 11, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/573,252, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,976,264, entitled “COLOR BALANCE IN DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY,” filed Sep. 4, 2012. The foregoing applications and/or patents are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0004] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/534,068, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,167,174, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HIGH-DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGES,” filed on Nov. 5, 2014. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0005] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/534,089, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,167,169, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CAPTURING MULTIPLE IMAGES,” filed Nov. 5, 2014. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0006] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/535,274, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,154,708, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CAPTURING FLASH AND AMBIENT ILLUMINATED IMAGES,” filed Nov. 6, 2014. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0007] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/535,279, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,085, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING LOW-NOISE, HIGH-SPEED CAPTURES OF A PHOTOGRAPHIC SCENE” filed Nov. 6, 2014. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0008] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/535,282, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,062, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING OPERATIONS ON PIXEL DATA” filed Nov. 6, 2014. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0009] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/536,524, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,160,936, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A HIGH-DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR) PIXEL STREAM,” filed Nov. 7, 2014. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0010] Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/823,993 is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/702,549, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,531,961, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A DIGITAL IMAGE USING SEPARATE COLOR AND INTENSITY DATA,” filed May 1, 2015. The foregoing application and/or patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0011] This application is related to the following which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/999,678, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,807,322, filed Mar. 14, 2014, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIGITAL IMAGE SENSOR.”

[0012] The present invention relates to digital photographic systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for high-dynamic range images.

[0013] Traditional digital photography systems are inherently limited by the dynamic range of a capturing image sensor. One solution to such limitation is the use of high dynamic-range (HDR) photography. HDR photography involves capturing multiple exposures of a same scene, where each of the exposures is metered differently, and then merging the multiple captures to create an image with a larger dynamic range.

[0014] A system, method, and computer program product are provided for obtaining multiple exposures with zero interframe time. In use, an analog signal associated with an image associated with an image of an image sensor is received. Amplified analog signals associated with the image are generated by amplifying the analog signal utilizing gains. The amplified analog signals are transmitted to analog-to-digital converter circuits. The amplified analog signals are converted to digital signals utilizing the analog-to-digital converter circuits. The digital signals are combined to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.

[0118] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 for outputting a blended brighter and a darker pixel, in accordance with one possible embodiment. As an option, the system 100 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the system 100 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0119] As shown, the system 100 includes a first pixel 102 and a second pixel 104. In one embodiment, the first pixel may be associated with a brighter pixel, and the second pixel may be associated with a darker pixel. In the context of the present description, a brighter pixel includes any pixel that is brighter than a corresponding darker pixel, and a darker pixel includes any pixel that is darker than a corresponding brighter pixel. A brighter pixel may be associated with an image having brighter overall exposure, and a corresponding darker pixel may be associated with an image having a darker overall exposure. In various embodiments, brighter and darker pixels may be computed by combining other corresponding pixels based on intensity, exposure, color attributes, saturation, and/or any other image or pixel parameter.

[0120] In one embodiment, a brighter pixel and a darker pixel may be associated with a brighter pixel attribute and a darker pixel attribute, respectively. In various embodiments, a pixel attribute (e.g. for a brighter pixel attribute, for a darker pixel attribute, etc.) may include an intensity, a saturation, a hue, a color space value (e.g. EGB, YCbCr, YUV, etc.), a brightness, an RGB color, a luminance, a chrominance, and/or any other feature which may be associated with a pixel in some manner.

[0121] Additionally, the first pixel 102 and the second pixel 104 are inputs to a blend process 106. In one embodiment, the blending may be based on one or more features associated with the pixels. For example, blending may include a spatial positioning feature wherein the pixel of the brighter pixel is aligned with a corresponding pixel of the darker pixel. Of course, any other relevant techniques known in the art may be used to align corresponding pixels on more than one image.

[0122] In other embodiments, various techniques to blend may be used, including taking an average of two or more pixel points, summing and normalizing a color attribute associated with each pixel point (e.g. a summation of a red/green/blue component in a RGB color space, etc.), determining a RGB (or any color space) vector length which may then be normalized, using an average pixel point in combination with a brighter pixel or a darker pixel, and/or using any other combination to blend two or more pixel points. In one embodiment, blending may occur independent of any color values or color spaces. In another embodiment, blending may include mixing two or more pixel points. In a specific embodiment, blending may include an OpenGL (or any vector rendering application) Mix operation whereby the operation linearly interpolates between two input values.

[0123] In one embodiment, blending may occur automatically or may be based on user input. For example, in some embodiments, the blending may occur automatically based on one or more set targets, including, for example, a set exposure point, a set focus value, a set temperature (e.g. Kelvin scale, etc.), a predetermined white point value, a predetermined color saturation value, a predetermined normalizing value (e.g. for color space characteristics, etc.), a predetermined levels value, a predetermined curves value, a set black point, a set white point, a set median value point, and/or any other feature of the pixel or image which may be used as a basis for blending. In other embodiments, features associated with the camera may be used as a basis for determining one or more automatic values. For example, a camera may include metadata associated with the pixels, including the ISO value, an exposure value, an aperture value, a histogram distribution, a geo positioning coordinate, an identification of the camera, an identification of the lens, an identification of the user of the camera, the time of day, and/or any other value which may be associated with the camera. In one embodiment, the metadata associated with the pixels may be used to set one or more automatic points for automatically blending.

[0124] In one embodiment, such automatic features may be inputted or based, at least in part, on cloud-based input or feedback. For example, a user may develop a set of batch rules or a package of image settings which should be applied to future images. Such settings can be saved to the cloud and/or to any other memory device which can subsequently be accessed by the camera device or module. As an example, a user may use a mobile device for taking and editing photos. Based on such past actions taken (e.g. with respect to editing the pixels or images, etc.), the user may save such actions as a package to be used for future images or pixels received. In other embodiments, the mobile device may recognize and track such actions taken by the user and may prompt the user to save the actions as a package to be applied for future received images or pixels.

[0125] In other embodiments, a package of actions or settings may also be associated with third party users. For example, such packages may be received from an online repository (e.g. associated with users on a photo sharing site, etc.), or may be transferred device-to-device (e.g. Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, Wifi-direct, etc.). In one embodiment, a package of actions or settings may be device specific. For example, a specific device may be known to overexpose images or tint images and the package of actions or settings may be used to correct a deficiency associated with the device, camera, or lens. In other embodiments, known settings or actions may be improved upon. For example, the user may wish to create a black and white to mimic an Ansel Adams type photograph. A collection of settings or actions may be applied which is based on the specific device receiving the pixels or images (e.g. correct for deficiencies in the device, etc.), feedback from the community on how to achieve the best looking Ansel Adams look (e.g. cloud based feedback, etc.), and/or any other information which may be used to create the Ansel Adams type photograph.

[0126] In a separate embodiment, the blending may occur based on user input. For example, a number of user interface elements may be displayed to the user on a display, including an element for controlling overall color of the image (e.g. sepia, graytone, black and white, etc.), a package of target points to create a feel (e.g. a Polaroid feel package would have higher exposure with greater contrast, an intense feel package which would increase the saturation levels, etc.), one or more selective colors of an image (e.g. only display one or more colors such as red, blue, yellow, etc.), a saturation level, an exposure level, an ISO value, a black point, a white point, a levels value, a curves value, and/or any other point which may be associated with the image or pixel. In various embodiments, a user interface element may be used to control multiple values or points (e.g. one sliding element controls a package of settings, etc.), or may also be used to allow the user to control each and every element associated with the image or pixel.

[0127] Of course, in other embodiments, the blending may occur based on one or more automatic settings and on user input. For example, pixels or images may be blended first using one or more automatic settings, after which the user can then modify specific elements associated with the image. In other embodiments, any combination of automatic or manual settings may be applied to the blending.

[0128] In various embodiments, the blending may include mixing one or more pixels. In other embodiments, the blending may be based on a row of pixels (i.e. blending occurs row by row, etc.), by an entire image of pixels (e.g. all rows and columns of pixels, etc.), and/or in any manner associated with the pixels.

[0129] In one embodiment, the blend between two or more pixels may include applying an alpha blend. Of course, in other embodiments, any process for combining two or more pixels may be used to create a final resulting image.

[0130] As shown, after the blend process, an output 108 includes a blended first pixel and a second pixel. In one embodiment, the output may include a blended brighter and darker pixel. Additionally, the first pixel may be brighter than the second pixel.

[0131] In one embodiment, the blending of a brighter pixel and a darker pixel may result in a high dynamic range (HDR) pixel as an output. In other embodiments, the output may include a brighter pixel blended with a medium pixel to provide a first resulting pixel. The brighter pixel may be characterized by a brighter pixel attribute and the medium pixel may be characterized by a medium pixel attribute. The blend operation between the brighter pixel and the medium pixel may be based on a scalar result from a first mix value function that receives the brighter pixel attribute and the medium pixel attribute. In a further embodiment, the output may include a medium pixel blended with a darker pixel to provide a second resulting pixel. The darker pixel may be characterized by a darker pixel attribute. The blend operation between the medium pixel and the darker pixel may be based on a scalar result from a second mix value function that receives the medium pixel attribute and the darker pixel attribute. Further, in one embodiment, a scalar may be identified based on a mix value function that receives as inputs the first (e.g. brighter, etc.) pixel attribute and the second (e.g. darker, etc.) pixel attribute. The scalar may provide a blending weight between two different pixels (e.g. between brighter and medium, or between medium and darker). Lastly, in one embodiment, a mix value function (e.g. the first mix value function and the second mix value function) may include a flat region, a transition region, and a saturation region corresponding to thresholds associated with the inputs.

[0132] In one embodiment, the output may be based on a mix value surface associated with two or more pixels. For example, in one embodiment, a blending may create an intermediary value which is then used to output a final value associated with two or more pixels. In such an embodiment, the intermediary value (e.g. between two or more pixels, etc.) may be used to compute a value associated with a three-dimensional (3D) surface. The resulting pixel may be associated with the value computed using the intermediary value. Of course, in a variety of embodiments, the output may be associated with any type of functions, and any number of dimensions or inputs.

[0133] FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 for blending a brighter pixel and a darker pixel, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the method 200 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the method 200 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0134] As shown, a first pixel attribute of a first pixel is received. See operation 202. Additionally, a second pixel attribute of a second pixel is received. See operation 204. In one embodiment, the first pixel attribute may correspond with a brighter pixel attribute, the first pixel may correspond with a brighter pixel, the second pixel attribute may correspond with a darker pixel attribute, and the second pixel may correspond with a darker pixel.

[0135] In one embodiment, a brighter pixel attribute and a darker pixel attribute each may include an intensity. In one embodiment, the intensity may correspond to a first value of a numeric range (e.g. 0.0 to 1.0) for the first pixel, and a second value of the numeric range for the second pixel. In other embodiments, a first (e.g. brighter, etc.) pixel attribute and a second (e.g. darker, etc.) pixel attribute each may include a saturation, a hue, a color space value (e.g. EGB, YCbCr, YUV, etc.), a brightness, hue, an RGB color, a luminance, a chrominance, and/or any other feature which may be associated with a pixel in some manner.

[0136] In another embodiment, a medium pixel attribute of a medium pixel that may be darker than a brighter pixel and brighter than a darker pixel, may be received. In another embodiment, a dark exposure parameter and a bright exposure parameter may be estimated, wherein the bright exposure parameter may be used for receiving the first (e.g. brighter, etc.) pixel attribute of the first (e.g. brighter, etc.) pixel, and the second (e.g. dark, etc.) exposure parameter may be used for receiving the second (e.g. darker, etc.) pixel attribute of the darker pixel. Further, in another embodiment, the dark exposure parameter and the bright exposure parameter may be associated with an exposure time. Still yet, in one embodiment, a medium exposure parameter may be estimated, wherein the medium exposure parameter is used for receiving a medium pixel attribute of a medium pixel.

[0137] In an additional embodiment, a medium pixel attribute of a medium pixel may be received, wherein a brighter pixel is associated with a first value, a darker pixel is associated with a second value, and a medium pixel is associated with a third value, the third value being in between the first value and the second value. Additionally, a first resulting pixel may include a first HDR pixel, and a second resulting pixel may include a second HDR pixel, such that the combined pixel may be generated by combining the first HDR pixel and the second HDR pixel based on a predetermined function to generate the combined pixel which may include a third HDR pixel.

[0138] As shown, a scalar is identified based on the first pixel attribute and the second pixel attribute. See operation 206.

[0139] In various embodiments, the scalar may be identified by generating, selecting, interpolating, and/or any other operation which may result in a scalar. In a further embodiment, the scalar may be identified utilizing one or more polynomials.

[0140] In one embodiment, a first one of the polynomials may have a first order that may be different than a second order of a second one of the polynomials. In another embodiment, a first polynomial of the plurality of polynomials may be a function of the first (e.g. brighter, etc.) pixel attribute and a second polynomial of the plurality of polynomials may be a function of the second (e.g. darker, etc.) pixel attribute. Still yet, in another embodiment, a first one of the polynomials may be a function of a brighter pixel attribute and may have a first order that may be less than a second order of a second one of the polynomials that may be a function of the darker pixel attribute. Additionally, in one embodiment, the first polynomial may be at least one of a higher order, an equal order, or a lower order relative to the second polynomial.

[0141] As shown, blending the first pixel and the second pixel may be based on the scalar, wherein the first pixel is brighter than the second pixel. See operation 208.

[0142] In another embodiment, a scalar may be identified based on either a polynomial of the form z=(1-(1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B)*((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D) or a polynomial of the form z=((1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B)*((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D), where z corresponds to the scalar, x corresponds to the second (e.g. darker, etc.) pixel attribute, y corresponds to the (e.g. brighter, etc.) first pixel attribute, and A, B, C, D correspond to arbitrary constants.

[0143] In one embodiment, the blending of a first (e.g. brighter, etc.) pixel and a second (e.g. darker, etc.) pixel may result in a high dynamic range (HDR) pixel as an output. In other embodiments, the blending may include identifying a first scalar based on the brighter pixel attribute and the medium pixel attribute, the first scalar being used for blending the brighter pixel and the medium pixel to provide a first resulting pixel. Additionally, in one embodiment, a second scalar based on the medium pixel attribute and the darker pixel attribute, the second scalar being used for blending the medium pixel and the darker pixel to provide a second resulting pixel.

[0144] In one embodiment, a third pixel attribute of a third pixel may be received. Additionally, a second scalar based on the second pixel attribute and the third pixel attribute may be identified. Further, based on the second scalar, the second pixel and the third pixel may be blended. Still yet, a first resulting pixel based on the blending of the first pixel and the second pixel may be generated, and a second resulting pixel based on the blending of the second pixel and the third pixel may be generated.

[0145] Additionally, in various embodiments, the first resulting pixel and the second resulting pixel are combined resulting in a combined pixel. Further, in one embodiment, the combined pixel may be processed based on an input associated with an intensity, a saturation, a hue, a color space value (e.g. RGB, YCbCr, YUV, etc.), a brightness, an RGB color, a luminance, a chrominance, and/or any other feature associated with the combined pixel. In a further embodiment, the combined pixel may be processed based on a saturation input or level mapping input.

[0146] In one embodiment, level mapping (or any input) may be performed on at least one pixel subject to the blending. In various embodiments, the level mapping (or any input) may occur in response to user input (e.g. selection of an input and/or a value associated with an input, etc.). Of course, the level mapping (or any input) may occur automatically based on a default value or setting, feedback from a cloud-based source (e.g. cloud source best settings for a photo effect, etc.), feedback from a local device (e.g. based on past photos taken by the user and analyzed the user's system, based on photos taken by others including the user within a set geographic proximity, etc.), and/or any other setting or value associated with an automatic action. In one embodiment, the level mapping may comprise an equalization operation, such as an equalization technique known in the art as contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE).

[0147] In some embodiments, one or more user interfaces and user interface elements may be used to receive a user input. For example, in one embodiment, a first indicia corresponding to at least one brighter point and a second indicia corresponding to at least one brighter point may be displayed, and the user input may be further capable of including manipulation of at least one of the first indicia or the second indicia. Additionally, in one embodiment, third indicia corresponding to at least one medium point may be displayed, and the user input may be further capable of including manipulation of the third indicia.

[0148] In another embodiment, a first one of the polynomials may be a function of a first pixel attribute, and a second one of the polynomials may be a function of a second pixel attribute, and the resulting pixel may be a product of the first and second polynomials. Still yet, in one embodiment, the resulting pixel may be a product of the first and second polynomials in combination with a strength function.

[0149] Additionally, in one embodiment, a strength function and/or coefficient may control a function operating on two or more pixels, including the blending (e.g. mixing, etc.) of the two or more pixels. For example, in various embodiments, the strength function may be used to control the blending of the two or more pixels, including providing no HDR effect (e.g. ev0, etc.), a full HDR effect, or even an amplification of the HDR effect. In this manner, the strength function may control the resulting pixel based on the first and second polynomials.

[0150] In another embodiment, the blending may include at one or more stages in the blending process. For example, in one embodiment, the first polynomial may be based on a single pixel attribute and the second polynomial may be based on a second single pixel attribute, and blending may include taking an average based on the first and second polynomials. In another embodiment, the first polynomial and the second polynomial may be based on an average of many pixel attributes (e.g. multiple exposures, multiple saturations, etc.), and the blending may include taking an average based on the first and second polynomials.

[0151] Of course, in one embodiment, the polynomials may be associated with a surface diagram. For example, in one embodiment, an x value may be associated with a polynomial associated with the first pixel attribute (or a plurality of pixel attributes), and a y value may be associated with a polynomial associated with the second pixel attribute (or a plurality of pixel attributes). Further, in another embodiment, a z value may be associated with a strength function. In one embodiment, a resulting pixel value may be determined by blending the x value and y value based on the z value, as determined by the surface diagram.

[0152] In an alternative embodiment, a resulting pixel value may be selected from a table that embodies the surface diagram. In another embodiment, a first value associated with a first polynomial and a second value associated with a second polynomial may each be used to select a corresponding value from a table, and the two values may be used to interpolate a resulting pixel.

[0153] More illustrative information will now be set forth regarding various optional architectures and uses in which the foregoing method may or may not be implemented, per the desires of the user. It should be strongly noted that the following information is set forth for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in any manner. Any of the following features may be optionally incorporated with or without the exclusion of other features described.

[0154] FIG. 3A illustrates a digital photographic system 300, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the digital photographic system 300 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the digital photographic system 300 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0155] As shown, the digital photographic system 300 may include a processor complex 310 coupled to a camera module 330 via an interconnect 334. In one embodiment, the processor complex 310 is coupled to a strobe unit 336. The digital photographic system 300 may also include, without limitation, a display unit 312, a set of input/output devices 314, non-volatile memory 316, volatile memory 318, a wireless unit 340, and sensor devices 342, each coupled to the processor complex 310. In one embodiment, a power management subsystem 320 is configured to generate appropriate power supply voltages for each electrical load element within the digital photographic system 300. A battery 322 may be configured to supply electrical energy to the power management subsystem 320. The battery 322 may implement any technically feasible energy storage system, including primary or rechargeable battery technologies. Of course, in other embodiments, additional or fewer features, units, devices, sensors, or subsystems may be included in the system.

[0156] In one embodiment, a strobe unit 336 may be integrated into the digital photographic system 300 and configured to provide strobe illumination 350 during an image sample event performed by the digital photographic system 300. In another embodiment, a strobe unit 336 may be implemented as an independent device from the digital photographic system 300 and configured to provide strobe illumination 350 during an image sample event performed by the digital photographic system 300. The strobe unit 336 may comprise one or more LED devices, a gas-discharge illuminator (e.g. a Xenon strobe device, a Xenon flash lamp, etc.), or any other technically feasible illumination device. In certain embodiments, two or more strobe units are configured to synchronously generate strobe illumination in conjunction with sampling an image. In one embodiment, the strobe unit 336 is controlled through a strobe control signal 338 to either emit the strobe illumination 350 or not emit the strobe illumination 350. The strobe control signal 338 may be implemented using any technically feasible signal transmission protocol. The strobe control signal 338 may indicate a strobe parameter (e.g. strobe intensity, strobe color, strobe time, etc.), for directing the strobe unit 336 to generate a specified intensity and/or color of the strobe illumination 350. The strobe control signal 338 may be generated by the processor complex 310, the camera module 330, or by any other technically feasible combination thereof. In one embodiment, the strobe control signal 338 is generated by a camera interface unit within the processor complex 310 and transmitted to both the strobe unit 336 and the camera module 330 via the interconnect 334. In another embodiment, the strobe control signal 338 is generated by the camera module 330 and transmitted to the strobe unit 336 via the interconnect 334.

[0157] Optical scene information 352, which may include at least a portion of the strobe illumination 350 reflected from objects in the photographic scene, is focused as an optical image onto an image sensor 332 within the camera module 330. The image sensor 332 generates an electronic representation of the optical image. The electronic representation comprises spatial color intensity information, which may include different color intensity samples (e.g. red, green, and blue light, etc.). In other embodiments, the spatial color intensity information may also include samples for white light. The electronic representation is transmitted to the processor complex 310 via the interconnect 334, which may implement any technically feasible signal transmission protocol.

[0158] In one embodiment, input/output devices 314 may include, without limitation, a capacitive touch input surface, a resistive tablet input surface, one or more buttons, one or more knobs, light-emitting devices, light detecting devices, sound emitting devices, sound detecting devices, or any other technically feasible device for receiving user input and converting the input to electrical signals, or converting electrical signals into a physical signal. In one embodiment, the input/output devices 314 include a capacitive touch input surface coupled to a display unit 312. A touch entry display system may include the display unit 312 and a capacitive touch input surface, also coupled to processor complex 310.

[0159] Additionally, in other embodiments, non-volatile (NV) memory 316 is configured to store data when power is interrupted. In one embodiment, the NV memory 316 comprises one or more flash memory devices (e.g. ROM, PCM, FeRAM, FRAM, PRAM, MRAM, NRAM, etc.). The NV memory 316 comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which may be configured to include programming instructions for execution by one or more processing units within the processor complex 310. The programming instructions may implement, without limitation, an operating system (OS), UI software modules, image processing and storage software modules, one or more input/output devices 314 connected to the processor complex 310, one or more software modules for sampling an image stack through camera module 330, one or more software modules for presenting the image stack or one or more synthetic images generated from the image stack through the display unit 312. As an example, in one embodiment, the programming instructions may also implement one or more software modules for merging images or portions of images within the image stack, aligning at least portions of each image within the image stack, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the processor complex 310 may be configured to execute the programming instructions, which may implement one or more software modules operable to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.

[0160] Still yet, in one embodiment, one or more memory devices comprising the NV memory 316 may be packaged as a module configured to be installed or removed by a user. In one embodiment, volatile memory 318 comprises dynamic random access memory (DRAM) configured to temporarily store programming instructions, image data such as data associated with an image stack, and the like, accessed during the course of normal operation of the digital photographic system 300. Of course, the volatile memory may be used in any manner and in association with any other input/output device 314 or sensor device 342 attached to the process complex 310.

[0161] In one embodiment, sensor devices 342 may include, without limitation, one or more of an accelerometer to detect motion and/or orientation, an electronic gyroscope to detect motion and/or orientation, a magnetic flux detector to detect orientation, a global positioning system (GPS) module to detect geographic position, or any combination thereof. Of course, other sensors, including but not limited to a motion detection sensor, a proximity sensor, an RGB light sensor, a gesture sensor, a 3-D input image sensor, a pressure sensor, and an indoor position sensor, may be integrated as sensor devices. In one embodiment, the sensor devices may be one example of input/output devices 314.

[0162] Wireless unit 340 may include one or more digital radios configured to send and receive digital data. In particular, the wireless unit 340 may implement wireless standards (e.g. WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.), and may implement digital cellular telephony standards for data communication (e.g. CDMA, 3G, 4G, LTE, LTE-Advanced, etc.). Of course, any wireless standard or digital cellular telephony standards may be used.

[0163] In one embodiment, the digital photographic system 300 is configured to transmit one or more digital photographs to a network-based (online) or “cloud-based” photographic media service via the wireless unit 340. The one or more digital photographs may reside within either the NV memory 316 or the volatile memory 318, or any other memory device associated with the processor complex 310. In one embodiment, a user may possess credentials to access an online photographic media service and to transmit one or more digital photographs for storage to, retrieval from, and presentation by the online photographic media service. The credentials may be stored or generated within the digital photographic system 300 prior to transmission of the digital photographs. The online photographic media service may comprise a social networking service, photograph sharing service, or any other network-based service that provides storage of digital photographs, processing of digital photographs, transmission of digital photographs, sharing of digital photographs, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, one or more digital photographs are generated by the online photographic media service based on image data (e.g. image stack, HDR image stack, image package, etc.) transmitted to servers associated with the online photographic media service. In such embodiments, a user may upload one or more source images from the digital photographic system 300 for processing by the online photographic media service.

[0164] In one embodiment, the digital photographic system 300 comprises at least one instance of a camera module 330. In another embodiment, the digital photographic system 300 comprises a plurality of camera modules 330. Such an embodiment may also include at least one strobe unit 336 configured to illuminate a photographic scene, sampled as multiple views by the plurality of camera modules 330. The plurality of camera modules 330 may be configured to sample a wide angle view (e.g., greater than forty-five degrees of sweep among cameras) to generate a panoramic photograph. In one embodiment, a plurality of camera modules 330 may be configured to sample two or more narrow angle views (e.g., less than forty-five degrees of sweep among cameras) to generate a stereoscopic photograph. In other embodiments, a plurality of camera modules 330 may be configured to generate a 3-D image or to otherwise display a depth perspective (e.g. a z-component, etc.) as shown on the display unit 312 or any other display device.

[0165] In one embodiment, a display unit 312 may be configured to display a two-dimensional array of pixels to form an image for display. The display unit 312 may comprise a liquid-crystal (LCD) display, a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED display, or any other technically feasible type of display. In certain embodiments, the display unit 312 may be able to display a narrower dynamic range of image intensity values than a complete range of intensity values sampled from a photographic scene, such as within a single HDR image or over a set of two or more images comprising a multiple exposure or HDR image stack. In one embodiment, images comprising an image stack may be merged according to any technically feasible HDR blending technique to generate a synthetic image for display within dynamic range constraints of the display unit 312. In one embodiment, the limited dynamic range may specify an eight-bit per color channel binary representation of corresponding color intensities. In other embodiments, the limited dynamic range may specify more than eight-bits (e.g., 10 bits, 12 bits, or 14 bits, etc.) per color channel binary representation.

[0166] FIG. 3B illustrates a processor complex 310 within the digital photographic system 300 of FIG. 3A, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the processor complex 310 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the processor complex 310 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0167] As shown, the processor complex 310 includes a processor subsystem 360 and may include a memory subsystem 362. In one embodiment, processor complex 310 may comprise a system on a chip (SoC) device that implements processor subsystem 360, and memory subsystem 362 comprises one or more DRAM devices coupled to the processor subsystem 360. In another embodiment, the processor complex 310 may comprise a multi-chip module (MCM) encapsulating the SoC device and the one or more DRAM devices comprising the memory subsystem 362.

[0168] The processor subsystem 360 may include, without limitation, one or more central processing unit (CPU) cores 370, a memory interface 380, input/output interfaces unit 384, and a display interface unit 382, each coupled to an interconnect 374. The one or more CPU cores 370 may be configured to execute instructions residing within the memory subsystem 362, volatile memory 318, NV memory 316, or any combination thereof. Each of the one or more CPU cores 370 may be configured to retrieve and store data through interconnect 374 and the memory interface 380. In one embodiment, each of the one or more CPU cores 370 may include a data cache, and an instruction cache. Additionally, two or more of the CPU cores 370 may share a data cache, an instruction cache, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, a cache hierarchy is implemented to provide each CPU core 370 with a private cache layer, and a shared cache layer.

[0169] In some embodiments, processor subsystem 360 may include one or more graphics processing unit (GPU) cores 372. Each GPU core 372 may comprise a plurality of multi-threaded execution units that may be programmed to implement, without limitation, graphics acceleration functions. In various embodiments, the GPU cores 372 may be configured to execute multiple thread programs according to well-known standards (e.g. OpenGL™, WebGL™, OpenCL™, CUDA™, etc.), and/or any other programmable rendering graphic standard. In certain embodiments, at least one GPU core 372 implements at least a portion of a motion estimation function, such as a well-known Harris detector or a well-known Hessian-Laplace detector. Such a motion estimation function may be used at least in part to align images or portions of images within an image stack. For example, in one embodiment, an HDR image may be compiled based on an image stack, where two or more images are first aligned prior to compiling the HDR image.

[0170] As shown, the interconnect 374 is configured to transmit data between and among the memory interface 380, the display interface unit 382, the input/output interfaces unit 384, the CPU cores 370, and the GPU cores 372. In various embodiments, the interconnect 374 may implement one or more buses, one or more rings, a cross-bar, a mesh, or any other technically feasible data transmission structure or technique. The memory interface 380 is configured to couple the memory subsystem 362 to the interconnect 374. The memory interface 380 may also couple NV memory 316, volatile memory 318, or any combination thereof to the interconnect 374. The display interface unit 382 may be configured to couple a display unit 312 to the interconnect 374. The display interface unit 382 may implement certain frame buffer functions (e.g. frame refresh, etc.). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the display unit 312 may implement certain frame buffer functions (e.g. frame refresh, etc.). The input/output interfaces unit 384 may be configured to couple various input/output devices to the interconnect 374.

[0171] In certain embodiments, a camera module 330 is configured to store exposure parameters for sampling each image associated with an image stack. For example, in one embodiment, when directed to sample a photographic scene, the camera module 330 may sample a set of images comprising the image stack according to stored exposure parameters. A software module comprising programming instructions executing within a processor complex 310 may generate and store the exposure parameters prior to directing the camera module 330 to sample the image stack. In other embodiments, the camera module 330 may be used to meter an image or an image stack, and the software module comprising programming instructions executing within a processor complex 310 may generate and store metering parameters prior to directing the camera module 330 to capture the image. Of course, the camera module 330 may be used in any manner in combination with the processor complex 310.

[0172] In one embodiment, exposure parameters associated with images comprising the image stack may be stored within an exposure parameter data structure that includes exposure parameters for one or more images. In another embodiment, a camera interface unit (not shown in FIG. 3B) within the processor complex 310 may be configured to read exposure parameters from the exposure parameter data structure and to transmit associated exposure parameters to the camera module 330 in prepa ration of sampling a photographic scene. After the camera module 330 is configured according to the exposure parameters, the camera interface may direct the camera module 330 to sample the photographic scene; the camera module 330 may then generate a corresponding image stack. The exposure parameter data structure may be stored within the camera interface unit, a memory circuit within the processor complex 310, volatile memory 318, NV memory 316, the camera module 330, or within any other technically feasible memory circuit. Further, in another embodiment, a software module executing within processor complex 310 may generate and store the exposure parameter data structure.

[0173] FIG. 3C illustrates a digital camera 302, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the digital camera 302 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the digital camera 302 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0174] In one embodiment, the digital camera 302 may be configured to include a digital photographic system, such as digital photographic system 300 of FIG. 3A. As shown, the digital camera 302 includes a camera module 330, which may include optical elements configured to focus optical scene information representing a photographic scene onto an image sensor, which may be configured to convert the optical scene information to an electronic representation of the photographic scene.

[0175] Additionally, the digital camera 302 may include a strobe unit 336, and may include a shutter release button 315 for triggering a photographic sample event, whereby digital camera 302 samples one or more images comprising the electronic representation. In other embodiments, any other technically feasible shutter release mechanism may trigger the photographic sample event (e.g. such as a timer trigger or remote control trigger, etc.).

[0176] FIG. 3D illustrates a wireless mobile device 376, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the mobile device 376 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the mobile device 376 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0177] In one embodiment, the mobile device 376 may be configured to include a digital photographic system (e.g. such as digital photographic system 300 of FIG. 3A), which is configured to sample a photographic scene. In various embodiments, a camera module 330 may include optical elements configured to focus optical scene information representing the photographic scene onto an image sensor, which may be configured to convert the optical scene information to an electronic representation of the photographic scene. Further, a shutter release command may be generated through any technically feasible mechanism, such as a virtual button, which may be activated by a touch gesture on a touch entry display system comprising display unit 312, or a physical button, which may be located on any face or surface of the mobile device 376. Of course, in other embodiments, any number of other buttons, external inputs/outputs, or digital inputs/outputs may be included on the mobile device 376, and which may be used in conjunction with the camera module 330.

[0178] As shown, in one embodiment, a touch entry display system comprising display unit 312 is disposed on the opposite side of mobile device 376 from camera module 330. In certain embodiments, the mobile device 376 includes a user-facing camera module 331 and may include a user-facing strobe unit (not shown). Of course, in other embodiments, the mobile device 376 may include any number of user-facing camera modules or rear-facing camera modules, as well as any number of user-facing strobe units or rear-facing strobe units.

[0179] In some embodiments, the digital camera 302 and the mobile device 376 may each generate and store a synthetic image based on an image stack sampled by camera module 330. The image stack may include one or more images sampled under ambient lighting conditions, one or more images sampled under strobe illumination from strobe unit 336, or a combination thereof.

[0180] FIG. 3E illustrates camera module 330, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the camera module 330 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the camera module 330 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0181] In one embodiment, the camera module 330 may be configured to control strobe unit 336 through strobe control signal 338. As shown, a lens 390 is configured to focus optical scene information 352 onto image sensor 332 to be sampled. In one embodiment, image sensor 332 advantageously controls detailed timing of the strobe unit 336 though the strobe control signal 338 to reduce inter-sample time between an image sampled with the strobe unit 336 enabled, and an image sampled with the strobe unit 336 disabled. For example, the image sensor 332 may enable the strobe unit 336 to emit strobe illumination 350 less than one microsecond (or any desired length) after image sensor 332 completes an exposure time associated with sampling an ambient image and prior to sampling a strobe image.

[0182] In other embodiments, the strobe illumination 350 may be configured based on a desired one or more target points. For example, in one embodiment, the strobe illumination 350 may light up an object in the foreground, and depending on the length of exposure time, may also light up an object in the background of the image. In one embodiment, once the strobe unit 336 is enabled, the image sensor 332 may then immediately begin exposing a strobe image. The image sensor 332 may thus be able to directly control sampling operations, including enabling and disabling the strobe unit 336 associated with generating an image stack, which may comprise at least one image sampled with the strobe unit 336 disabled, and at least one image sampled with the strobe unit 336 either enabled or disabled. In one embodiment, data comprising the image stack sampled by the image sensor 332 is transmitted via interconnect 334 to a camera interface unit 386 within processor complex 310. In some embodiments, the camera module 330 may include an image sensor controller, which may be configured to generate the strobe control signal 338 in conjunction with controlling operation of the image sensor 332.

[0183] FIG. 3F illustrates a camera module 330, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the camera module 330 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the camera module 330 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0184] In one embodiment, the camera module 330 may be configured to sample an image based on state information for strobe unit 336. The state information may include, without limitation, one or more strobe parameters (e.g. strobe intensity, strobe color, strobe time, etc.), for directing the strobe unit 336 to generate a specified intensity and/or color of the strobe illumination 350. In one embodiment, commands for configuring the state information associated with the strobe unit 336 may be transmitted through a strobe control signal 338, which may be monitored by the camera module 330 to detect when the strobe unit 336 is enabled. For example, in one embodiment, the camera module 330 may detect when the strobe unit 336 is enabled or disabled within a microsecond or less of the strobe unit 336 being enabled or disabled by the strobe control signal 338. To sample an image requiring strobe illumination, a camera interface unit 386 may enable the strobe unit 336 by sending an enable command through the strobe control signal 338. In one embodiment, the camera interface unit 386 may be included as an interface of input/output interfaces 384 in a processor subsystem 360 of the processor complex 310 of FIG. 3B The enable command may comprise a signal level transition, a data packet, a register write, or any other technically feasible transmission of a command. The camera module 330 may sense that the strobe unit 336 is enabled and then cause image sensor 332 to sample one or more images requiring strobe illumination while the strobe unit 336 is enabled. In such an implementation, the image sensor 332 may be configured to wait for an enable signal destined for the strobe unit 336 as a trigger signal to begin sampling a new exposure.

[0185] In one embodiment, camera interface unit 386 may transmit exposure parameters and commands to camera module 330 through interconnect 334. In certain embodiments, the camera interface unit 386 may be configured to directly control strobe unit 336 by transmitting control commands to the strobe unit 336 through strobe control signal 338. By directly controlling both the camera module 330 and the strobe unit 336, the camera interface unit 386 may cause the camera module 330 and the strobe unit 336 to perform their respective operations in precise time synchronization. In one embodiment, precise time synchronization may be less than five hundred microseconds of event timing error. Additionally, event timing error may be a difference in time from an intended event occurrence to the time of a corresponding actual event occurrence.

[0186] In another embodiment, camera interface unit 386 may be configured to accumulate statistics while receiving image data from camera module 330. In particular, the camera interface unit 386 may accumulate exposure statistics for a given image while receiving image data for the image through interconnect 334. Exposure statistics may include, without limitation, one or more of an intensity histogram, a count of over-exposed pixels, a count of under-exposed pixels, an intensity-weighted sum of pixel intensity, or any combination thereof. The camera interface unit 386 may present the exposure statistics as memory-mapped storage locations within a physical or virtual address space defined by a processor, such as one or more of CPU cores 370, within processor complex 310. In one embodiment, exposure statistics reside in storage circuits that are mapped into a memory-mapped register space, which may be accessed through the interconnect 334. In other embodiments, the exposure statistics are transmitted in conjunction with transmitting pixel data for a captured image. For example, the exposure statistics for a given image may be transmitted as in-line data, following transmission of pixel intensity data for the captured image. Exposure statistics may be calculated, stored, or cached within the camera interface unit 386.

[0187] In one embodiment, camera interface unit 386 may accumulate color statistics for estimating scene white-balance. Any technically feasible color statistics may be accumulated for estimating white balance, such as a sum of intensities for different color channels comprising red, green, and blue color channels. The sum of color channel intensities may then be used to perform a white-balance color correction on an associated image, according to a white-balance model such as a gray-world white-balance model. In other embodiments, curve-fitting statistics are accumulated for a linear or a quadratic curve fit used for implementing white-balance correction on an image.

[0188] In one embodiment, camera interface unit 386 may accumulate spatial color statistics for performing color-matching between or among images, such as between or among an ambient image and one or more images sampled with strobe illumination. As with the exposure statistics, the color statistics may be presented as memory-mapped storage locations within processor complex 310. In one embodiment, the color statistics are mapped in a memory-mapped register space, which may be accessed through interconnect 334, within processor subsystem 360. In other embodiments, the color statistics may be transmitted in conjunction with transmitting pixel data for a captured image. For example, in one embodiment, the color statistics for a given image may be transmitted as in-line data, following transmission of pixel intensity data for the image. Color statistics may be calculated, stored, or cached within the camera interface 386.

[0189] In one embodiment, camera module 330 may transmit strobe control signal 338 to strobe unit 336, enabling the strobe unit 336 to generate illumination while the camera module 330 is sampling an image. In another embodiment, camera module 330 may sample an image illuminated by strobe unit 336 upon receiving an indication signal from camera interface unit 386 that the strobe unit 336 is enabled. In yet another embodiment, camera module 330 may sample an image illuminated by strobe unit 336 upon detecting strobe illumination within a photographic scene via a rapid rise in scene illumination. In one embodiment, a rapid rise in scene illumination may include at least a rate of increasing intensity consistent with that of enabling strobe unit 336. In still yet another embodiment, camera module 330 may enable strobe unit 336 to generate strobe illumination while sampling one image, and disable the strobe unit 336 while sampling a different image.

[0190] FIG. 3G illustrates camera module 330, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the camera module 330 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the camera module 330 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0191] In one embodiment, the camera module 330 may be in communication with an application processor 335. The camera module 330 is shown to include image sensor 332 in communication with a controller 333. Further, the controller 333 is shown to be in communication with the application processor 335.

[0192] In one embodiment, the application processor 335 may reside outside of the camera module 330. As shown, the lens 390 may be configured to focus optical scene information onto image sensor 332 to be sampled. The optical scene information sampled by the image sensor 332 may then be communicated from the image sensor 332 to the controller 333 for at least one of subsequent processing and communication to the application processor 335. In another embodiment, the controller 333 may control storage of the optical scene information sampled by the image sensor 332, or storage of processed optical scene information.

[0193] In another embodiment, the controller 333 may enable a strobe unit to emit strobe illumination for a short time duration (e.g. less than one microsecond, etc.) after image sensor 332 completes an exposure time associated with sampling an ambient image. Further, the controller 333 may be configured to generate strobe control signal 338 in conjunction with controlling operation of the image sensor 332.

[0194] In one embodiment, the image sensor 332 may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor or a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor. In another embodiment, the controller 333 and the image sensor 332 may be packaged together as an integrated system or integrated circuit. In yet another embodiment, the controller 333 and the image sensor 332 may comprise discrete packages. In one embodiment, the controller 333 may provide circuitry for receiving optical scene information from the image sensor 332, processing of the optical scene information, timing of various functionalities, and signaling associated with the application processor 335. Further, in another embodiment, the controller 333 may provide circuitry for control of one or more of exposure, shuttering, white balance, and gain adjustment. Processing of the optical scene information by the circuitry of the controller 333 may include one or more of gain application, amplification, and analog-to-digital conversion. After processing the optical scene information, the controller 333 may transmit corresponding digital pixel data, such as to the application processor 335.

[0195] In one embodiment, the application processor 335 may be implemented on processor complex 310 and at least one of volatile memory 318 and NV memory 316, or any other memory device and/or system. The application processor 335 may be previously configured for processing of received optical scene information or digital pixel data communicated from the camera module 330 to the application processor 335.

[0196] FIG. 4 illustrates a network service system 400, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the network service system 400 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the network service system 400 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0197] In one embodiment, the network service system 400 may be configured to provide network access to a device implementing a digital photographic system. As shown, network service system 400 includes a wireless mobile device 376, a wireless access point 472, a data network 474, data center 480, and a data center 481. The wireless mobile device 376 may communicate with the wireless access point 472 via a digital radio link 471 to send and receive digital data, including data associated with digital images. The wireless mobile device 376 and the wireless access point 472 may implement any technically feasible transmission techniques for transmitting digital data via digital a radio link 471 without departing the scope and spirit of the present invention. In certain embodiments, one or more of data centers 480, 481 may be implemented using virtual constructs so that each system and subsystem within a given data center 480, 481 may comprise virtual machines configured to perform specified data processing and network tasks. In other implementations, one or more of data centers 480, 481 may be physically distributed over a plurality of physical sites.

[0198] The wireless mobile device 376 may comprise a smart phone configured to include a digital camera, a digital camera configured to include wireless network connectivity, a reality augmentation device, a laptop configured to include a digital camera and wireless network connectivity, or any other technically feasible computing device configured to include a digital photographic system and wireless network connectivity.

[0199] In various embodiments, the wireless access point 472 may be configured to communicate with wireless mobile device 376 via the digital radio link 471 and to communicate with the data network 474 via any technically feasible transmission media, such as any electrical, optical, or radio transmission media. For example, in one embodiment, wireless access point 472 may communicate with data network 474 through an optical fiber coupled to the wireless access point 472 and to a router system or a switch system within the data network 474. A network link 475, such as a wide area network (WAN) link, may be configured to transmit data between the data network 474 and the data center 480.

[0200] In one embodiment, the data network 474 may include routers, switches, long-haul transmission systems, provisioning systems, authorization systems, and any technically feasible combination of communications and operations subsystems configured to convey data between network endpoints, such as between the wireless access point 472 and the data center 480. In one implementation, a wireless the mobile device 376 may comprise one of a plurality of wireless mobile devices configured to communicate with the data center 480 via one or more wireless access points coupled to the data network 474.

[0201] Additionally, in various embodiments, the data center 480 may include, without limitation, a switch/router 482 and at least one data service system 484. The switch/router 482 may be configured to forward data traffic between and among a network link 475, and each data service system 484. The switch/router 482 may implement any technically feasible transmission techniques, such as Ethernet media layer transmission, layer 2 switching, layer 3 routing, and the like. The switch/router 482 may comprise one or more individual systems configured to transmit data between the data service systems 484 and the data network 474.

[0202] In one embodiment, the switch/router 482 may implement session-level load balancing among a plurality of data service systems 484. Each data service system 484 may include at least one computation system 488 and may also include one or more storage systems 486. Each computation system 488 may comprise one or more processing units, such as a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, or any combination thereof. A given data service system 484 may be implemented as a physical system comprising one or more physically distinct systems configured to operate together. Alternatively, a given data service system 484 may be implemented as a virtual system comprising one or more virtual systems executing on an arbitrary physical system. In certain scenarios, the data network 474 may be configured to transmit data between the data center 480 and another data center 481, such as through a network link 476.

[0203] In another embodiment, the network service system 400 may include any networked mobile devices configured to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, a peer-to-peer network, such as an ad-hoc wireless network, may be established between two different wireless mobile devices. In such embodiments, digital image data may be transmitted between the two wireless mobile devices without having to send the digital image data to a data center 480.

[0204] FIG. 5 shows a system 500 for outputting a HDR pixel, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the system 500 may be implemented in the context of the any of the Figures. Of course, however, the system 500 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0205] As shown, the system 500 includes a non-linear mix function 530. In one embodiment, the non-linear mix function 530 includes receiving a brighter pixel 550 and a darker pixel 552. In one embodiment, the brighter pixel 550 and the darker pixel 552 may be blended via a mix function 566, resulting in a HDR pixel 559.

[0206] In one embodiment, the mix function 566 may include any function which is capable of combining two input values (e.g. pixels, etc.). The mix function 566 may define a linear blend operation for generating a vec3 value associated with HDR pixel 559 by blending a vec3 value associated with the brighter pixel 550 and a vec3 value associated with the darker pixel 552 based on mix value 558. For example the mix function 566 may implement the well-known OpenGL mix function. In other examples, the mix function may include normalizing a weighted sum of values for two different pixels, summing and normalizing vectors (e.g. RGB, etc.) associated with the input pixels, computing a weighted average for the two input pixels, and/or applying any other function which may combine in some manner the brighter pixel and the darker pixel. In one embodiment, mix value 558 may range from 0 to 1, and mix function 566 mixes darker pixel 552 and brighter pixel 550 based on the mix value 558. In another embodiment, the mix value 558 ranges from 0 to an arbitrarily large value, however the mix function 566 is configured to respond to mix values greater than 1 as though such values are equal to 1. Further still, the mix value may be a scalar.

[0207] In one embodiment, a mix value function may include a product of two polynomials and may include a strength coefficient. In a specific example, the mix value function is implemented as mix value surface 564, which operates to generate mix value 558. One exemplary mix value function is illustrated below in Equation 1:
z=p1(x)*p2(y)*s  (Eq.1)

• • [0208] where:
  • [0209] z is resulting mix value for first and second pixels;
  • [0210] p1 is a first polynomial in x, where x may be a pixel attribute for first (darker) pixel;
  • [0211] p2 is a second polynomial in y, where y may be a pixel attribute for second (lighter) pixel; and
  • [0212] s is a strength coefficient (s==0: no mixing, s==1.0: nominal mixing, s>1.0: exaggerated mixing).

[0213] In Equation 1, the strength coefficient (s) may cause the resulting mix value to reflect no mixing (e.g. s=0, etc.), nominal mixing (e.g. s=1, etc.), and exaggerated mixing (e.g. s>1.0, etc.) between the first and second pixels.

[0214] In another specific embodiment, a mix function may include a specific polynomial form:
z=(1-(1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B)*((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D)*s  (Eq. 2)

[0215] As shown, p1(x) of Equation 1 may be implemented in Equations 2 as the term (1-(1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B), while p2(y) of Equation 2 may be implemented as the term ((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D). In one embodiment, Equation 2 may include the following coefficients: A=8, B=2, C=8, and D=2. Of course, in other embodiments, other coefficient values may be used to optimize overall mixing, which may include subjective visual quality associated with mixing the first and second pixels. In certain embodiments, Equation 2 may be used to generate a mix value for a combination of an “EV0” pixel (e.g. a pixel from an image having an EV0 exposure), an “EV-” pixel (e.g. a pixel from an image having an exposure of EV-1, EV-2, or EV-3, etc.), and an “EV+” pixel (e.g. a pixel from an image having an exposure of EV+1, EV+2, or EV+3, etc.). Further, in another embodiment, Equation 2 may be used to generate mix values for pixels associated with images having a bright exposure, median exposure, and/or dark exposure in any combination.

[0216] In another embodiment, when z=0, the darker pixel may be given full weight, and when z=1, the brighter pixel may be given full weight. In one embodiment, Equation 2 may correspond with the surface diagrams as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0217] In another specific embodiment, a mix function may include a specific polynomial form:
z=((1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B)*((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D)*s  (Eq. 3)

[0218] As shown, p1(x) of Equation 1 may be implemented in Equations 3 as the term ((1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B), while p2(y) of Equation 3 may be implemented as the term ((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D). In one embodiment, Equation 3 may include the following coefficients: A=8, B=2, C=2, and D=2. Of course, in other embodiments, other coefficient values may be used to optimize the mixing. In another embodiment, Equation 3 may be used to generate a mix value for an “EV0” pixel, and an “EV-” pixel (e.g., EV-1, EV-2, or EV-3) pixel. Further, in another embodiment, Equation 3 may be used to generate mix values for pixels associated with images having a bright exposure, median exposure, and/or dark exposure in any combination.

[0219] In another embodiment, when z=0, the brighter pixel may be given full weight, and when z=1, the darker pixel may be given full weight. In one embodiment, Equation 3 may correspond with the surface diagrams as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

[0220] In another embodiment, the brighter pixel 550 may be received by a pixel attribute function 560, and the darker pixel 552 may be received a pixel attribute function 562. In various embodiments, the pixel attribute function 560 and/or 562 may include any function which is capable of determining an attribute associated with the input pixel (e.g. brighter pixel, darker pixel, etc.). For example, in various embodiments, the pixel attribute function 560 and/or 562 may include determining an intensity, a saturation, a hue, a color space value (e.g. EGB, YCbCr, YUV, etc.), an RGB blend, a brightness, an RGB color, a luminance, a chrominance, and/or any other feature which may be associated with a pixel in some manner.

[0221] In response to the pixel attribute function 560, a pixel attribute 555 associated with brighter pixel 550 results and is inputted into a mix value function, such as mix value surface 564. Additionally, in response to the pixel attribute function 562, a pixel attribute 556 associated with darker pixel 552 results and is inputted into the mix value function.

[0222] In one embodiment, a given mix value function may be associated with a surface diagram. For example, in one embodiment, an x value may be associated with a polynomial associated with the first pixel attribute (or a plurality of pixel attributes), and a y value may be associated with a polynomial associated with the second pixel attribute (or a plurality of pixel attributes). Further, in another embodiment, a strength function may be used to scale the mix value calculated by the mix value function. In one embodiment, the mix value may include a scalar.

[0223] In one embodiment, the mix value 558 determined by the mix value function may be selected from a table that embodies the surface diagram. In another embodiment, a first value associated with a first polynomial and a second value associated with a second polynomial may each be used to select a corresponding value from a table, and the two or more values may be used to interpolate a mix value. In other words, at least a portion of the mix value function may be implemented as a table (e.g. lookup table) indexed in x and y to determine a value of z. Each value of z may be directly represented in the table or interpolated from sample points comprising the table. Accordingly, a scalar may be identified by at least one of generating, selecting, and interpolating.

[0224] As shown, a mix value 558 results from the mix value surface 564 and is inputted into the mix function 566, described previously.

[0225] HDR Pixel 559 may be generated based on the brighter pixel 550 and the darker pixel 552, in accordance with various embodiments described herein.

[0226] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for generating a HDR pixel based on combined HDR pixel and effects function, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the method 600 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the method 600 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0227] As shown, in one embodiment, a medium-bright HDR pixel may be generated based on a medium exposure pixel and a bright exposure pixel. See operation 602. Additionally, a medium-dark HDR pixel may be generated based on a medium exposure pixel and a dark exposure pixel. See operation 604. For example, in one embodiment, a medium exposure pixel may include an EV0 exposure and a bright exposure pixel may include an EV+1 exposure, and medium-bright HDR pixel may be a blend between the EV0 exposure pixel and the EV+1 exposure pixel. Of course, a bright exposure pixel may include an exposure greater (e.g. in any amount, etc.) than the medium exposure value.

[0228] In another embodiment, a medium exposure pixel may include an EV0 exposure and a dark exposure pixel may include an EV-1 exposure, and a medium-dark HDR pixel may be a blend between the EV0 exposure and the EV-1 exposure. Of course, a dark exposure pixel may include an exposure (e.g. in any amount, etc.) less than the medium exposure value.

[0229] As shown, a combined HDR pixel may be generated based on a medium-bright HDR pixel and a medium-dark HDR pixel. See operation 606. In another embodiment, the combined HDR pixel may be generated based on multiple medium-bright HDR pixels and multiple medium-dark HDR pixels.

[0230] In a separate embodiment, a second combined HDR pixel may be based on the combined HDR pixel and a medium-bright HDR pixel, or may be based on the combined HDR pixel and a medium-dark HDR pixel. In a further embodiment, a third combined HDR pixel may be based on a first combined HDR pixel, a second combined HDR pixel, a medium-bright HDR pixel, a medium-dark HDR pixel, and/or any combination thereof.

[0231] Further, as shown, an output HDR pixel may be generated based on a combined HDR pixel and an effects function. See operation 608. For example in one embodiment, an effect function may include a function to alter an intensity, a saturation, a hue, a color space value (e.g. EGB, YCbCr, YUV, etc.), a RGB blend, a brightness, an RGB color, a luminance, a chrominance, a contrast, an attribute levels function, and/or an attribute curves function. Further, an effect function may include a filter, such as but not limited to, a pastel look, a watercolor function, a charcoal look, a graphic pen look, an outline of detected edges, a change of grain or of noise, a change of texture, and/or any other modification which may alter the output HDR pixel in some manner.

[0232] FIG. 7 illustrates a system 700 for outputting a HDR pixel, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the system 700 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the system 700 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0233] In one embodiment, the system 700 may include a pixel blend operation 702. In one embodiment, the pixel blend operation 702 may include receiving a bright exposure pixel 710 and a medium exposure pixel 712 at a non-linear mix function 732. In another embodiment, the non-linear mix function 732 may operate in a manner consistent with non-linear mix function 530 of FIG. 5. In another embodiment, the pixel blend operation 702 may include receiving a dark exposure pixel 714 and a medium exposure pixel 712 at a non-linear mix function 734. In another embodiment, the non-linear mix function 734 may operate in a manner consistent with item 530 of FIG. 5.

[0234] In various embodiments, the non-linear mix function 732 and/or 734 may receive an input from a bright mix limit 720 or dark mix limit 722, respectively. In one embodiment, the bright mix limit 720 and/or the dark mix limit 722 may include an automatic or manual setting. For example, in some embodiments, the mix limit may be set by predefined settings (e.g. optimized settings, etc.). In one embodiment, each mix limit may be predefined to optimize the mix function. In another embodiment, the manual settings may include receiving a user input. For example, in one embodiment, the user input may correspond with a slider setting on a sliding user interface. Each mix limit may correspond to a respective strength coefficient, described above in conjunction with Equations 1-3.

[0235] For example, in one embodiment, a mix value function may include a product of two polynomials and may include a strength coefficient. In a specific example, the mix value function is implemented as mix value surface 564, which operates to generate mix value 558. One exemplary mix value function is illustrated below in Equation 1:
z=p1(x)*p2(y)*s  (Eq.1)

• • [0236] where:
  • [0237] z is resulting mix value for first and second pixels;
  • [0238] p1 is a first polynomial in x, where x may be a pixel attribute for first (darker) pixel;
  • [0239] p2 is a second polynomial in y, where y may be a pixel attribute for second (lighter) pixel; and
  • [0240] is a strength coefficient (s==0: no mixing, s==1.0: nominal mixing, s>1.0: exaggerated mixing).

[0241] In Equation 1, the strength coefficient (s) may cause the resulting mix value to reflect no mixing (e.g. s=0, etc.), nominal mixing (e.g. s=1, etc.), and exaggerated mixing (e.g. s>1.0, etc.) between the first and second pixels.

[0242] In another specific embodiment, a mix function may include a specific polynomial form:
z=(1-(1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B)*((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D)*s  (Eq. 2)

[0243] As shown, p1(x) of Equation 1 may be implemented in Equations 2 as the term (1-(1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B), while p2(y) of Equation 2 may be implemented as the term ((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D). In one embodiment, Equation 2 may include the following coefficients: A=8, B=2, C=8, and D=2. Of course, in other embodiments, other coefficient values may be used to optimize overall mixing, which may include subjective visual quality associated with mixing the first and second pixels. In certain embodiments, Equation 2 may be used to generate a mix value for a combination of an “EV0” pixel (e.g. a pixel from an image having an EV0 exposure), an “EV-” pixel (e.g. a pixel from an image having an exposure of EV-1, EV-2, or EV-3, etc.), and an “EV+” pixel (e.g. a pixel from an image having an exposure of EV+1, EV+2, or EV+3, etc.). Further, in another embodiment, Equation 2 may be used to generate mix values for pixels associated with images having a bright exposure, median exposure, and/or dark exposure in any combination.

[0244] In another embodiment, when z=0, the darker pixel may be given full weight, and when z=1, the brighter pixel may be given full weight. In one embodiment, Equation 2 may correspond with the surface diagrams as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0245] In another specific embodiment, a mix function may include a specific polynomial form:
z=((1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B)*((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D)*s  (Eq. 3)

[0246] As shown, p1(x) of Equation 1 may be implemented in Equations 3 as the term ((1-(1-x){circumflex over ( )}A){circumflex over ( )}B), while p2(y) of Equation 3 may be implemented as the term ((1-(1-y){circumflex over ( )}C){circumflex over ( )}D). In one embodiment, Equation 3 may include the following coefficients: A=8, B=2, C=2, and D=2. Of course, in other embodiments, other coefficient values may be used to optimize the mixing. In another embodiment, Equation 3 may be used to generate a mix value for an “EV0” pixel, and an “EV-” pixel (e.g., EV-1, EV-2, or EV-3) pixel. Further, in another embodiment, Equation 3 may be used to generate mix values for pixels associated with images having a bright exposure, median exposure, and/or dark exposure in any combination.

[0247] In another embodiment, when z=0, the brighter pixel may be given full weight, and when z=1, the darker pixel may be given full weight. In one embodiment, Equation 3 may correspond with the surface diagrams as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

[0248] As shown, in one embodiment, the non-linear mix function 732 results in a medium-bright HDR pixel 740. In another embodiment, the non-linear mix function 734 results in a medium-dark HDR pixel 742. In one embodiment, the medium-bright HDR pixel 740 and the medium-dark HDR pixel 742 are inputted into a combiner function 736. In another embodiment, the combiner function 736 blends the medium-bright HDR pixel 740 and the medium-dark HDR pixel 742.

[0249] In various embodiments, the combiner function 736 may include taking an average of two or more pixel values, summing and normalizing a color attribute associated with each pixel value (e.g. a summation of a red/green/blue component in a RGB color space, etc.), determining a RGB (or any color space) vector length which may then be normalized, using an average pixel value in combination with a brighter pixel or a darker pixel, and/or using any other combination to blend the medium-bright HDR pixel 740 and the medium-dark HDR pixel 742.

[0250] In one embodiment, the combiner function 736 results in a combined HDR pixel 744. In various embodiments, the combined HDR pixel 744 may include any type of blend associated with the medium-bright pixel 740 and the medium-dark HDR pixel 742. For example, in some embodiments, the combined HDR pixel may include a resulting pixel with no HDR effect applied, whereas in other embodiments, any amount of HDR or even amplification may be applied and be reflected in the resulting combined HDR pixel.

[0251] In various embodiments, the combined HDR pixel 744 is inputted into an effects function 738. In one embodiment, the effects function 738 may receive a saturation parameter 724, level mapping parameters 726, and/or any other function parameter which may cause the effects function 738 to modify the combined HDR pixel 744 in some manner. Of course, in other embodiments, the effects function 738 may include a function to alter an intensity, a hue, a color space value (e.g. EGB, YCbCr, YUV, etc.), a brightness, an RGB color, a luminance, a chrominance, a contrast, and/or a curves function. Further, an effect function may include a filter, such as but not limited to, a pastel look, a watercolor function, a charcoal look, a graphic pen look, an outline of detected edges, a change of grain or of noise, a change of texture, and/or any other modification which may alter the combined HDR pixel 744 in some manner. In some embodiments, output HDR pixel 746 may be generated by effects function 738. Alternatively, effects function 738 may be configured to have no effect and output HDR pixel 746 is equivalent to combined HDR pixel 744. In one embodiment, the effects function 738 implements equalization, such as an equalization technique known in the art as contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE).

[0252] In some embodiments, and in the alternative, the combined HDR pixel 744 may have no effects applied. After passing through an effects function 738, an output HDR pixel 746 results.

[0253] FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for generating a HDR pixel based on a combined HDR pixel and an effects function, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the method 800 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the method 800 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0254] In one embodiment, a medium exposure parameter may be estimated for a medium exposure image. See operation 802. Additionally, a dark exposure parameter is estimated for a dark exposure image (see operation 804) and a bright exposure parameter is estimated for a bright exposure image (see operation 806).

[0255] In various embodiments, an exposure parameter (e.g. associated with medium exposure, dark exposure, or bright exposure, etc.) may include an ISO, an exposure time, an exposure value, an aperture, and/or any other parameter which may affect image capture time. In one embodiment, the capture time may include the amount of time that the image sensor is exposed to optical information presented by a corresponding camera lens.

[0256] In one embodiment, estimating a medium exposure parameter, a dark exposure parameter, and/or a bright exposure parameter may include metering an image associated with a photographic scene. For example, in various embodiments, the brightness of light within a lens' field of view may be determined. Further, the metering of the image may include a spot metering (e.g. narrow area of coverage, etc.), an average metering (e.g. metering across the entire photo, etc.), a multi-pattern metering (e.g. matrix metering, segmented metering, etc.), and/or any other type of metering system. The metering of the image may be performed at any resolution, including a lower resolution than available from the image sensor, which may result in faster metering latency.

[0257] As shown, a dark exposure image, a medium exposure image, and a bright exposure image are captured. See operation 808. In various embodiments, capturing an image (e.g. a dark exposure image, a medium exposure image, a bright exposure image, etc.) may include committing the image (e.g. as seen through the corresponding camera lens, etc.) to an image processor and/or otherwise store the image temporarily in some manner. Of course, in other embodiments, the capturing may include a photodiode which may detect light (e.g. RGB light, etc.), a bias voltage or capacitor (e.g. to store intensity of the light, etc.), and/or any other circuitry necessary to receive the light intensity and store it. In other embodiments, the photodiode may charge or discharge a capacitor at a rate that is proportional to the incident light intensity (e.g. associated with the exposure time, etc.).

[0258] Additionally, in one embodiment, a combined HDR image may be generated based on a dark exposure image, a medium exposure image, and a bright exposure image. See operation 810. In various embodiments, the combined HDR image may be generated in a manner consistent with combined HDR pixel 744 in FIG. 7. Further, in one embodiment, an output HDR image may be generated based on a combined HDR image comprising combined HDR pixel 744 and an effects function. See operation 812. In various embodiments, the output HDR image may be generated in a manner consistent with Output HDR Pixel 746 in FIG. 7.

[0259] FIG. 9 illustrates a method 900 for generating a HDR pixel based on combined HDR pixel and an effects function, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the method 900 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the method 900 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0260] In one embodiment, a medium exposure parameter may be estimated for medium exposure image. See operation 902. In various embodiments, the medium exposure parameter may include an ISO, an exposure time, an exposure value, an aperture, and/or any other parameter which may affect the capture time. In one embodiment, the capture time may include the amount of time that the image sensor is exposed to optical information presented by a corresponding camera lens. In one embodiment, estimating a medium exposure parameter may include metering the image. For example, in various embodiments, the brightness of light within a lens' field of view may be determined. Further, the metering of the image may include a spot metering (e.g. narrow area of coverage, etc.), an average metering (e.g. metering across the entire photo, etc.), a multi-pattern metering (e.g. matrix metering, segmented metering, etc.), and/or any other type of metering system. The metering of the image may be performed at any resolution, including a lower resolution than available from the image sensor, which may result in faster metering latency. Additionally, in one embodiment, the metering for a medium exposure image may include an image at EV0. Of course, however, in other embodiments, the metering may include an image at any shutter stop and/or exposure value.

[0261] As shown, in one embodiment, an analog image may be captured within an image sensor based on medium exposure parameters. See operation 904. In various embodiments, capturing the analog image may include committing the image (e.g. as seen through the corresponding camera lens, etc.) to an image sensor and/or otherwise store the image temporarily in some manner. Of course, in other embodiments, the capturing may include a photodiode which may detect light (e.g. RGB light, etc.), a bias voltage or capacitor (e.g. to store intensity of the light, etc.), and/or any other circuitry necessary to receive the light intensity and store it. In other embodiments, the photodiode may charge or discharge a capacitor at a rate that is proportional to the incident light intensity (e.g. associated with the exposure time, etc.).

[0262] Additionally, in one embodiment, a medium exposure image may be generated based on an analog image. See operation 906. Additionally, a dark exposure image may be generated based on an analog image (see operation 908), and a brighter exposure image may be generated based on an analog image (see operation 910). In various embodiments, generating an exposure image (e.g. medium, dark, bright, etc.) may include applying an ISO or film speed to the analog image. Of course, in another embodiment, any function which may alter the analog image's sensitivity to light may be applied. In one embodiment, the same analog image may be sampled repeatedly to generate multiple images (e.g. medium exposure image, dark exposure image, bright exposure image, etc.). For example, in one embodiment, the current stored within the circuitry may be used multiple times.

[0263] Additionally, in one embodiment, a combined HDR image may be generated based on a dark exposure image, a medium exposure image, and a bright exposure image. See operation 912. In various embodiments, the combined HDR image may be generated in a manner consistent with Combined HDR Pixel 744 in FIG. 7. Further, in one embodiment, an output HDR image may be generated based on a combined HDR image and an effects function. See operation 914. In various embodiments, the output HDR image may be generated in a manner consistent with Output HDR Pixel 746 in FIG. 7.

[0264] FIG. 10A illustrates a surface diagram 1000, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the surface diagram 1000 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the surface diagram 1000 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0265] In one embodiment, surface diagram 1000 depicts a surface associated with Equation 2 for determining a mix value for two pixels, based on two pixel attributes for the two pixels. As shown, the surface diagram 1000 is illustrated within a unit cube having an x axis 1002, a y axis 1004, and a z axis 1006. As described in Equation 2, variable “x” is associated with an attribute for a first (e.g. darker) pixel, and variable “y” is associated with an attribute for a second (e.g. lighter) pixel. For example, each attribute may represent an intensity value ranging from 0 to 1 along a respective x and y axis of the unit cube. An attribute for the first pixel may correspond to pixel attribute 556 of FIG. 5, while an attribute for the second pixel may correspond to pixel attribute 555. As described in Equation 2, variable “z” is associated with the mix value, such as mix value 558, for generating a HDR pixel, such as HDR pixel 559, from the two pixels. A mix value of 0 (e.g. z=0) may result in a HDR pixel that is substantially identical to the first pixel, while a mix value of 1 (e.g. z=1) may result in a HDR pixel that is substantially identical to the second pixel.

[0266] As shown, surface diagram 1000 includes a flat region 1014, a transition region 1010, and a saturation region 1012. The transition region 1010 is associated with x values below an x threshold and y values below a y threshold. The transition region 1010 is generally characterized as having monotonically increasing z values for corresponding monotonically increasing x and y values. The flat region 1014 is associated with x values above the x threshold. The flat region 1014 is characterized as having substantially constant z values independent of corresponding x and y values. The saturation region 1012 is associated with x values below the x threshold and above the y threshold. The saturation region 1012 is characterized as having z values that are a function of corresponding x values while being relatively independent of y values. For example, with x=x1, line 1015 shows z monotonically increasing through the transition region 1010, and further shows z remaining substantially constant within the saturation region 1012. In one embodiment mix value surface 564 implements surface diagram 1000. In another embodiment, non-linear mix function 732 of FIG. 7 implements surface diagram 1000. In yet another embodiment, non-linear mix function 734 of FIG. 7 implements surface diagram 1000.

[0267] FIG. 10B illustrates a surface diagram 1008, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the surface diagram 1008 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the surface diagram 1008 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0268] In one embodiment, the surface diagram 1008 provides a separate view (e.g. top down view, etc.) of surface diagram 1000 of FIG. 10A. Additionally, the description relating to FIG. 10A may be applied to FIG. 10B as well.

[0269] FIG. 11A illustrates a surface diagram 1100, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the surface diagram 1100 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the surface diagram 1100 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0270] In one embodiment, surface diagram 1100 depicts a surface associated with Equation 3 for determining a mix value for two pixels, based on two pixel attributes for the two pixels. As described in Equation 3, variable “x” is associated with an attribute for a first (e.g. darker) pixel, and variable “y” is associated with an attribute for a second (e.g. lighter) pixel. The flat region 1114 may correspond in general character to flat region 1014 of FIG. 10A. Transition region 1110 may correspond in general character to transition region 1010. Saturation region 1112 may correspond in general character to saturation region 1012. While each region of surface diagram 1100 may correspond in general character to similar regions for surface diagram 1000, the size of corresponding regions may vary between surface diagram 1100 and surface diagram 1000. For example, the x threshold associated with surface diagram 1100 is larger than the x threshold associated with surface diagram 1000, leading to a generally smaller flat region 1114. As shown, the surface diagram 1100 may include a flat region 1114, a transition region 1110, and a saturation region 1112.

[0271] FIG. 11B illustrates a surface diagram 1102, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the surface diagram 1102 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the surface diagram 1102 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0272] In one embodiment, the surface diagram 1102 provides a separate view (e.g. top down view, etc.) of surface diagram 1100 of FIG. 11A. Additionally, in various embodiments, the description relating to FIG. 11A and FIG. 10A may be applied to FIG. 1lB as well.

[0273] FIG. 12 illustrates a levels mapping function 1200, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the levels mapping function 1200 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the levels mapping function 1200 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0274] In various embodiments, the levels mapping function 1200 maps an input range 1210 to an output range 1220. More specifically, a white point 1216 may be mapped to a new white point in the output range 1220, a median point 1214 may be mapped to a new median point in the output range 1220, and a black point 1212 may be mapped to a new black point in the output range 1220. In one embodiment, the input range 1210 may be associated with an input image and the output range 1220 may be associated with a mapped image. In one embodiment, levels mapping may include an adjustment of intensity levels of an image based on a black point, a white point, a mid point, a median point, or any other arbitrary mapping function.

[0275] In certain embodiments, the white point, median point, black point, or any combination thereof, may be mapped based on an automatic detection of corresponding points or manually by a user. For example, in one embodiment, it may be determined that an object in the input image corresponds with a black point (or a white point, or a median point, etc.), such as through object recognition. For example, it may be determined that a logo is present in an image, and accordingly, set a color point (e.g. white, median, black, etc.) based off of an identified object. In other embodiments, the automatic settings may be associated with one or more settings associated with a camera device. For example, in some embodiments, the camera device may correct for a lens deficiency, a processor deficiency, and/or any other deficiency associated with the camera device by applying, at least in part, a set of one or more settings to the levels mapping.

[0276] FIG. 13 illustrates a levels mapping function 1300, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the levels mapping function 1300 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the levels mapping function 1300 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0277] In one embodiment, a histogram 1302 may be associated with the input image of FIG. 12. In some embodiments, the histogram 1302 may include statistics for identifying a black point 1312 and a white point 1316. As indicated with respect to FIG. 12, the setting of the color points (e.g. black, white, etc.) may be based on user input (or another manual input, etc.) or on an automatic setting.

[0278] Based on the setting of a new black point and a new white point, a new mapped image may be created from the input image. The mapped image may be associated with a new histogram 1304. In one embodiment, after applying the new level mapping to the input image, the new level mapping (e.g. as visualized on the histogram, etc.) may be further modified as desired. For example, in one embodiment, a black point and white point may be automatically selected (e.g. based on optimized settings, etc.). After applying the black point and white point, the user may desire to further refine (or reset) the black point or white point. Of course, in such an embodiment, any color point may be set by the user.

[0279] In one embodiment, the white point (or any color point, etc.) may be controlled directly by a user. For example, a slider associated with a white point (or any color point, etc.) may directly control the white point of the pixel or image. In another embodiment, a slider associated with an image may control several settings, including an automatic adjustment to both black and white points (or any color point, etc.) to optimize the resulting pixel or image.

[0280] FIG. 14 illustrates an image synthesis operation 1400, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the image synthesis operation 1400 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the image synthesis operation 1400 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0281] As shown, an image blend operation 1440 comprising the image synthesis operation 1400 may generate a synthetic image 1450 from an image stack 1402, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, in various embodiments, the image stack 1402 may include images 1410, 1412, and 1414 of a scene, which may comprise a high brightness region 1420 and a low brightness region 1422. In such an embodiment, medium exposure image 1412 is exposed according to overall scene brightness, thereby generally capturing scene detail.

[0282] In another embodiment, medium exposure image 1412 may also potentially capture some detail within high brightness region 1420 and some detail within low brightness region 1422. Additionally, dark exposure image 1410 may be exposed to capture image detail within high brightness region 1420. In one embodiment, in order to capture high brightness detail within the scene, image 1410 may be exposed according to an exposure offset from medium exposure image 1412.

[0283] In a separate embodiment, dark exposure image 1410 may be exposed according to local intensity conditions for one or more of the brightest regions in the scene. In such an embodiment, dark exposure image 1410 may be exposed according to high brightness region 1420, to the exclusion of other regions in the scene having lower overall brightness. Similarly, bright exposure image 1414 is exposed to capture image detail within low brightness region 1422. Additionally, in one embodiment, in order to capture low brightness detail within the scene, bright exposure image 1414 may be exposed according to an exposure offset from medium exposure image 1412. Alternatively, bright exposure image 1414 may be exposed according to local intensity conditions for one or more of the darkest regions of the scene.

[0284] As shown, in one embodiment, an image blend operation 1440 may generate synthetic image 1450 from image stack 1402. Additionally, in another embodiment, synthetic image 1450 may include overall image detail, as well as image detail from high brightness region 1420 and low brightness region 1422. Further, in another embodiment, image blend operation 1440 may implement any technically feasible operation for blending an image stack. For example, in one embodiment, any high dynamic range (HDR) blending technique may be implemented to perform image blend operation 1440, including but not limited to bilateral filtering, global range compression and blending, local range compression and blending, and/or any other technique which may blend the one or more images. In one embodiment, image blend operation 1440 includes a pixel blend operation 1442. The pixel blend operation 1442 may generate a pixel within synthetic image 1450 based on values for corresponding pixels received from at least two images of images 1410, 1412, and 1414. In one embodiment, pixel blend operation 1442 comprises pixel blend operation 702 of FIG. 7.

[0285] In one embodiment, in order to properly perform a blend operation, all of the images (e.g. dark exposure image, medium exposure image, bright exposure image, etc.) may need to be aligned so that visible detail in each image is positioned in the same location in each image. For example, feature 1425 in each image should be located in the same position for the purpose of blending the images 1410, 1412, 1414 to generate synthetic image 1450. In certain embodiments, at least two images of images 1410, 1412, 1414 are generated from a single analog image, as described in conjunction with method 900 of FIG. 9., thereby substantially eliminating any alignment processing needed prior to blending the images 1410, 1412, 1414.

[0286] FIG. 15 illustrates a user interface (UI) system 1500 for generating a combined image 1520, according to one embodiment. As an option, the UI system 1500 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the UI system 1500 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0287] In one embodiment, a combined image 1520 comprises a combination of at least two related digital images. In one embodiment, the combined image 1520 comprises, without limitation, a combined rendering of a first digital image and a second digital image. In another embodiment, the digital images used to compute the combined image 1520 may be generated by amplifying an analog signal with at least two different gains, where the analog signal includes optical scene information captured based on an optical image focused on an image sensor. In yet another embodiment, the analog signal may be amplified using the at least two different gains on a pixel-by-pixel, line-by-line, or frame-by-frame basis.

[0288] In one embodiment, the UI system 1500 presents a display image 1510 that includes, without limitation, a combined image 1520, a slider control 1530 configured to move along track 1532, and two or more indication points 1540, which may each include a visual marker displayed within display image 1510.

[0289] In one embodiment, the UI system 1500 is generated by an adjustment tool executing within a processor complex 310 of a digital photographic system 300, and the display image 1510 is displayed on display unit 312. In one embodiment, at least two digital images, such as the at least two related digital images, comprise source images for generating the combined image 1520. The at least two digital images may reside within NV memory 316, volatile memory 318, memory subsystem 362, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the UI system 1500 is generated by an adjustment tool executing within a computer system, such as a laptop computer or a desktop computer. The at least two digital images may be transmitted to the computer system or may be generated by an attached camera device. In yet another embodiment, the UI system 1500 may be generated by a cloud-based server computer system, which may download the at least two digital images to a client browser, which may execute combining operations described below. In another embodiment, the UI system 1500 is generated by a cloud-based server computer system, which receives the at least two digital images from a digital photographic system in a mobile device, and which may execute the combining operations described below in conjunction with generating combined image 1520.

[0290] The slider control 1530 may be configured to move between two end points corresponding to indication points 1540-A and 1540-C. One or more indication points, such as indication point 1540-B may be positioned between the two end points. Each indication point 1540 may be associated with a specific version of combined image 1520, or a specific combination of the at least two digital images. For example, the indication point 1540-A may be associated with a first digital image generated utilizing a first gain, and the indication point 1540-C may be associated with a second digital image generated utilizing a second gain, where both of the first digital image and the second digital image are generated from a same analog signal of a single captured photographic scene. In one embodiment, when the slider control 1530 is positioned directly over the indication point 1540-A, only the first digital image may be displayed as the combined image 1520 in the display image 1510, and similarly when the slider control 1530 is positioned directly over the indication point 1540-C, only the second digital image may be displayed as the combined image 1520 in the display image 1510.

[0291] In one embodiment, indication point 1540-B may be associated with a blending of the first digital image and the second digital image. For example, when the slider control 1530 is positioned at the indication point 1540-B, the combined image 1520 may be a blend of the first digital image and the second digital image. In one embodiment, blending of the first digital image and the second digital image may comprise alpha blending, brightness blending, dynamic range blending, and/or tone mapping or other non-linear blending and mapping operations. In another embodiment, any blending of the first digital image and the second digital image may provide a new image that has a greater dynamic range or other visual characteristics that are different than either of the first image and the second image alone. Thus, a blending of the first digital image and the second digital image may provide a new computed HDR image that may be displayed as combined image 1520 or used to generate combined image 1520. To this end, a first digital signal and a second digital signal may be combined, resulting in at least a portion of a HDR image. Further, one of the first digital signal and the second digital signal may be further combined with at least a portion of another digital image or digital signal. In one embodiment, the other digital image may include another HDR image.

[0292] In one embodiment, when the slider control 1530 is positioned at the indication point 1540-A, the first digital image is displayed as the combined image 1520, and when the slider control 1530 is positioned at the indication point 1540-C, the second digital image is displayed as the combined image 1520; furthermore, when slider control 1530 is positioned at indication point 1540-B, a blended image is displayed as the combined image 1520. In such an embodiment, when the slider control 1530 is positioned between the indication point 1540-A and the indication point 1540-C, a mix (e.g. blend) weight may be calculated for the first digital image and the second digital image. For the first digital image, the mix weight may be calculated as having a value of 0.0 when the slider control 1530 is at indication point 1540-C and a value of 1.0 when slider control 1530 is at indication point 1540-A, with a range of mix weight values between 0.0 and 1.0 located between the indication points 1540-C and 1540-A, respectively. Referencing the mix operation instead to the second digital image, the mix weight may be calculated as having a value of 0.0 when the slider control 1530 is at indication point 1540-A and a value of 1.0 when slider control 1530 is at indication point 1540-C, with a range of mix weight values between 0.0 and 1.0 located between the indication points 1540-A and 1540-C, respectively.

[0293] A mix operation may be applied to the first digital image and the second digital image based upon at least one mix weight value associated with at least one of the first digital image and the second digital image. In one embodiment, a mix weight of 1.0 gives complete mix weight to the digital image associated with the 1.0 mix weight. In this way, a user may blend between the first digital image and the second digital image. To this end, a first digital signal and a second digital signal may be blended in response to user input. For example, sliding indicia may be displayed, and a first digital signal and a second digital signal may be blended in response to the sliding indicia being manipulated by a user.

[0294] This system of mix weights and mix operations provides a UI tool for viewing the first digital image, the second digital image, and a blended image as a gradual progression from the first digital image to the second digital image. In one embodiment, a user may save a combined image 1520 corresponding to an arbitrary position of the slider control 1530. The adjustment tool implementing the UI system 1500 may receive a command to save the combined image 1520 via any technically feasible gesture or technique. For example, the adjustment tool may be configured to save the combined image 1520 when a user gestures within the area occupied by combined image 1520. Alternatively, the adjustment tool may save the combined image 1520 when a user presses, but does not otherwise move the slider control 1530. In another implementation, the adjustment tool may save the combined image 1520 when a user gestures, such as by pressing a UI element (not shown), such as a save button, dedicated to receive a save command.

[0295] To this end, a slider control may be used to determine a contribution of two or more digital images to generate a final computed image, such as combined image 1520. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the above system of mix weights and mix operations may be generalized to include two or more indication points, associated with two or more related images. Such related images may comprise, without limitation, any number of digital images that have been generated using a same analog signal to have different brightness values, which may have zero interframe time.

[0296] Furthermore, a different continuous position UI control, such as a rotating knob, may be implemented rather than the slider 1530 to provide mix weight input or color adjustment input from the user.

[0297] Of course, in other embodiments, other user interfaces may be used to receive input relating to selecting one or more points of interest (e.g. for focus, for metering, etc.), adjusting one or more parameters associated with the image (e.g. white balance, saturation, exposure, etc.), and/or any other input which may affect the image in some manner.

[0298] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of method 1600 for generating a combined image, according to one embodiment. As an option, the method 1600 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the method 1600 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0299] The method 1600 begins in step 1610, where an adjustment tool executing within a processor complex, such as processor complex 310, loads at least two related source images, such as the first digital image and the second digital image described in the context of FIG. 15. In step 1612, the adjustment tool initializes a position for a UI control, such as slider control 1530 of FIG. 15, to a default setting. In one embodiment, the default setting comprises an end point, such as indication point 1540-A, for a range of values for the UI control. In another embodiment, the default setting comprises a calculated value based on one or more of the at least two related source images. In certain embodiments, the default setting is initialized to a value previously selected by a user in association with an image object comprising at least the first digital image and the second digital image.

[0300] In step 1614, the adjustment tool generates and displays a combined image, such as combined image 1520 of FIG. 15, based on a position of the UI control and the at least two related source images. In one embodiment, generating the combined image comprises mixing the at least two related source images as described previously in FIG. 15. In step 1616, the adjustment tool receives user input. The user input may include, without limitation, a UI gesture such as a selection gesture or click gesture within display image 1510. If, in step 1620, the user input should change the position of the UI control, then the adjustment tool changes the position of the UI control and the method proceeds back to step 1614. Otherwise, the method proceeds to step 1630.

[0301] If, in step 1630, the user input does not comprise a command to exit, then the method proceeds to step 1640, where the adjustment tool performs a command associated with the user input. In one embodiment, the command comprises a save command and the adjustment tool then saves the combined image, which is generated according to a position of the UI control. The method then proceeds back to step 1616.

[0302] Returning to step 1630, if the user input comprises a command to exit, then the method terminates in step 1690, where the adjustment tool exits, thereby terminating execution.

[0303] In summary, a technique is disclosed for generating a new digital photograph that beneficially blends a first digital image and a second digital image, where the first digital image and the second digital image are both based on a single analog signal received from an image sensor. The first digital image may be blended with the second digital image based on a function that implements any technically feasible blend technique. An adjustment tool may implement a user interface technique that enables a user to select and save the new digital photograph from a gradation of parameters for combining related images.

[0304] One advantage of the disclosed embodiments is that a digital photograph may be selectively generated based on user input using two or more different exposures of a single capture of a photographic scene. Accordingly, the digital photograph generated based on the user input may have a greater dynamic range than any of the individual exposures. Further, the generation of an HDR image using two or more different exposures with zero interframe time allows for the rapid generation of HDR images without motion artifacts.

[0305] FIG. 17A illustrates a user interface (UI) system 1700 for adjusting a white point and a black point, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the UI system 1700 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the UI system 1700 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0306] As shown, in one embodiment, a slider bar 1720 may include a black point slider 1722 and a white point slider 1724. In various embodiments, the white point slider and the black point slider may be adjusted as desired by the user. Additionally, in another embodiment, the white point slider and the black point may be automatically adjusted. For example, in one embodiment, the black point slider may correspond with a darkest detected point in the image. Additionally, in one embodiment, the white point slider may correspond with the brightest detected point in the image. In one embodiment, the black point slider and the white point slider may each determine a corresponding black point and white point for remapping an input image to generate a resulting image 1712, such as through levels mapping function 1200 of FIG. 12. In other embodiments, the black point slider and the white point slider may bend or reshape a levels mapping curve that maps input range 1210 to output range 1220. As shown, the resulting image 1712, the slider bar 1720, and the sliders 1722, 1724 may be rendered within an application window 1710.

[0307] In some embodiments, the white point and the black point may be based on a histogram. For example, in one embodiment, the white point and black point may reflect high and low percentage thresholds associated with the histogram.

[0308] In one embodiment, a user may move the white point slider and the black point slider back and forth independently to adjust the black point and white point of the resulting image 1712. In another embodiment, touching the black point slider 1722 may allow the user to drag and drop the black point on a specific point on the image. In like manner, touching the white point slider 1724 may allow the user to drag and drop the white point on a specific point on the image. Of course, in other embodiments, the user may interact with the white point and the black point (or any other point) in any manner such that the user may select and/or adjust the white point and the black point (or any other point).

[0309] FIG. 17B illustrates a user interface (UI) system 1702 for adjusting a white point, median point, and a black point, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the UI system 1702 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the UI system 1702 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0310] As shown, in one embodiment, a slider bar 1720 may include a white point slider 1722, a median point slider 1723, and a white point slider 1724. In one embodiment, UI system 1702 is configured to operate substantially identically to UI system 1700, with the addition of median point slider 1723 and corresponding median point levels adjustment within an associated levels adjustment function. The median point may be adjusted manually by the user by moving the median point slider 1723 or automatically based on, for example, information within an input image.

[0311] Still yet, in various embodiments, one or more of the techniques disclosed herein may be applied to a variety of markets and/or products. For example, although the techniques have been disclosed in reference to a still photo capture, they may be applied to televisions, video capture, web conferencing (or live streaming capabilities, etc.), security cameras (e.g. increase contrast to determine characteristic, etc.), automobiles (e.g. driver assist systems, in-car infotainment systems, etc.), and/or any other product which includes a camera input.

[0312] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0313] FIG. 18-1 illustrates a system 18-100 for obtaining multiple exposures with zero interframe time, in accordance with one possible embodiment. As an option, the system 18-100 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 18-100 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0314] As shown, a signal amplifier 18-133 receives an analog signal 18-104 from an image sensor 18-132. In response to receiving the analog signal 18-104, the signal amplifier 18-133 amplifies the analog signal 18-104 utilizing a first gain, and transmits a first amplified analog signal 18-106. Further, in response to receiving the analog signal 18-104, the signal amplifier 18-133 also amplifies the analog signal 18-104 utilizing a second gain, and transmits a second amplified analog signal 18-108.

[0315] In one specific embodiment, the analog signal 18-106 and the analog signal 18-108 are transmitted on a common electrical interconnect. In alternative embodiments, the analog signal 18-106 and the analog signal 18-108 are transmitted on different electrical interconnects.

[0316] In one embodiment, the analog signal 18-104 generated by image sensor 18-132 includes an electronic representation of an optical image that has been focused on the image sensor 18-132. In such an embodiment, the optical image may be focused on the image sensor 18-132 by a lens. The electronic representation of the optical image may comprise spatial color intensity information, which may include different color intensity samples (e.g. red, green, and blue light, etc.). In other embodiments, the spatial color intensity information may also include samples for white light. In one embodiment, the optical image may be an optical image of a photographic scene.

[0317] In one embodiment, the image sensor 18-132 may comprise a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or any other technically feasible form of image sensor.

[0318] In an embodiment, the signal amplifier 18-133 may include a transimpedance amplifier (TIA), which may be dynamically configured, such as by digital gain values, to provide a selected gain to the analog signal 18-104. For example, a TIA could be configured to apply a first gain to the analog signal. The same TIA could then be configured to subsequently apply a second gain to the analog signal. In other embodiments, the gain may be specified to the signal amplifier 18-133 as a digital value. Further, the specified gain value may be based on a specified sensitivity or ISO. The specified sensitivity may be specified by a user of a photographic system, or instead may be set by software or hardware of the photographic system, or some combination of the foregoing working in concert.

[0319] In one embodiment, the signal amplifier 18-133 includes a single amplifier. In such an embodiment, the amplified analog signals 18-106 and 18-108 are transmitted or output in sequence. For example, in one embodiment, the output may occur through a common electrical interconnect. For example, the amplified analog signal 18-106 may first be transmitted, and then the amplified analog signal 18-108 may subsequently be transmitted. In another embodiment, the signal amplifier 18-133 may include a plurality of amplifiers. In such an embodiment, the amplifier 18-133 may transmit the amplified analog signal 18-106 in parallel with the amplified analog signal 18-108. To this end, the analog signal 18-106 may be amplified utilizing the first gain in serial with the amplification of the analog signal 18-108 utilizing the second gain, or the analog signal 18-106 may be amplified utilizing the first gain in parallel with the amplification of the analog signal 18-108 utilizing the second gain. In one embodiment, the amplified analog signals 18-106 and 18-108 each include gain-adjusted analog pixel data.

[0320] Each instance of gain-adjusted analog pixel data may be converted to digital pixel data by subsequent processes and/or hardware. For example, the amplified analog signal 18-106 may subsequently be converted to a first digital signal comprising a first set of digital pixel data representative of the optical image that has been focused on the image sensor 18-132. Further, the amplified analog signal 18-108 may subsequently or concurrently be converted to a second digital signal comprising a second set of digital pixel data representative of the optical image that has been focused on the image sensor 18-132. In one embodiment, any differences between the first set of digital pixel data and the second set of digital pixel data are a function of a difference between the first gain and the second gain applied by the signal amplifier 18-133. Further, each set of digital pixel data may include a digital image of the photographic scene. Thus, the amplified analog signals 18-106 and 18-108 may be used to generate two different digital images of the photographic scene. Furthermore, in one embodiment, each of the two different digital images may represent a different exposure level.

[0321] FIG. 18-2 illustrates a method 18-200 for obtaining multiple exposures with zero interframe time, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the method 18-200 may be carried out in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the method 18-200 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0322] As shown in operation 18-202, an analog signal associated with an image is received from at least one pixel of an image sensor. In the context of the present embodiment, the analog signal may include analog pixel data for at least one pixel of an image sensor. In one embodiment, the analog signal may include analog pixel data for every pixel of an image sensor. In another embodiment, each pixel of an image sensor may include a plurality of photodiodes. In such an embodiment, the analog pixel data received in the analog signal may include an analog value for each photodiode of each pixel of the image sensor. Each analog value may be representative of a light intensity measured at the photodiode associated with the analog value. Accordingly, an analog signal may be a set of spatially discrete intensity samples, each represented by continuous analog values, and analog pixel data may be analog signal values associated with one or more given pixels.

[0323] Additionally, as shown in operation 18-204, a first amplified analog signal associated with the image is generated by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a first gain, and a second amplified analog signal associated with the image is generated by amplifying the analog signal utilizing a second gain. Accordingly, the analog signal is amplified utilizing both the first gain and the second gain, resulting in the first amplified analog signal and the second amplified analog signal, respectively. In one embodiment, the first amplified analog signal may include first gain-adjusted analog pixel data. In such an embodiment, the second amplified analog signal may include second gain-adjusted analog pixel data. In accordance with one embodiment, the analog signal may be amplified utilizing the first gain simultaneously with the amplification of the analog signal utilizing the second gain. In another embodiment, the analog signal may be amplified utilizing the first gain during a period of time other than when the analog signal is amplified utilizing the second gain. For example, the first gain and the second gain may be applied to the analog signal in sequence. In one embodiment, a sequence for applying the gains to the analog signal may be predetermined.

[0324] Further, as shown in operation 18-206, the first amplified analog signal and the second amplified analog signal are both transmitted, such that multiple amplified analog signals are transmitted based on the analog signal associated with the image. In the context of one embodiment, the first amplified analog signal and the second amplified analog signal are transmitted in sequence. For example, the first amplified analog signal may be transmitted prior to the second amplified analog signal. In another embodiment, the first amplified analog signal and the second amplified signal may be transmitted in parallel.

[0325] The embodiments disclosed herein advantageously enable a camera module to sample images comprising an image stack with lower (e.g. at or near zero, etc.) inter-sample time (e.g. interframe, etc.) than conventional techniques. In certain embodiments, images comprising the image stack are effectively sampled during overlapping time intervals, which may reduce inter-sample time to zero. In other embodiments, the camera module may sample images in coordination with the strobe unit to reduce inter-sample time between an image sampled without strobe illumination and an image sampled with strobe illumination.

[0326] More illustrative information will now be set forth regarding various optional architectures and uses in which the foregoing method may or may not be implemented, per the desires of the user. It should be strongly noted that the following information is set forth for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in any manner. Any of the following features may be optionally incorporated with or without the exclusion of other features described.

[0327] FIG. 18-3A illustrates a system for capturing optical scene information for conversion to an electronic representation of a photographic scene, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the system of FIG. 18-3A may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures.

[0328] As shown in FIG. 18-3A, a pixel array 18-510 is in communication with row logic 18-512 and a column read out circuit 18-520. Further, the row logic 18-512 and the column read out circuit 18-520 are both in communication with a control unit 18-514. Still further, the pixel array 18-510 is shown to include a plurality of pixels 18-540, where each pixel 18-540 may include four cells, cells 18-542-18-545. In the context of the present description, the pixel array 18-510 may be included in an image sensor, such as image sensor 132 or image sensor 332 of camera module 330.

[0329] As shown, the pixel array 18-510 includes a 2-dimensional array of the pixels 18-540. For example, in one embodiment, the pixel array 18-510 may be built to comprise 4,000 pixels 18-540 in a first dimension, and 3,000 pixels 18-540 in a second dimension, for a total of 12,000,000 pixels 18-540 in the pixel array 18-510, which may be referred to as a 12 megapixel pixel array. Further, as noted above, each pixel 18-540 is shown to include four cells 18-542-18-545. In one embodiment, cell 18-542 may be associated with (e.g. selectively sensitive to, etc.) a first color of light, cell 18-543 may be associated with a second color of light, cell 18-544 may be associated with a third color of light, and cell 18-545 may be associated with a fourth color of light. In one embodiment, each of the first color of light, second color of light, third color of light, and fourth color of light are different colors of light, such that each of the cells 18-542-18-545 may be associated with different colors of light. In another embodiment, at least two cells of the cells 18-542-18-545 may be associated with a same color of light. For example, the cell 18-543 and the cell 18-544 may be associated with the same color of light.

[0330] Further, each of the cells 18-542-18-545 may be capable of storing an analog value. In one embodiment, each of the cells 18-542-18-545 may be associated with a capacitor for storing a charge that corresponds to an accumulated exposure during an exposure time. In such an embodiment, asserting a row select signal to circuitry of a given cell may cause the cell to perform a read operation, which may include, without limitation, generating and transmitting a current that is a function of the stored charge of the capacitor associated with the cell. In one embodiment, prior to a readout operation, current received at the capacitor from an associated photodiode may cause the capacitor, which has been previously charged, to discharge at a rate that is proportional to an incident light intensity detected at the photodiode. The remaining charge of the capacitor of the cell may then be read using the row select signal, where the current transmitted from the cell is an analog value that reflects the remaining charge on the capacitor. To this end, an analog value received from a cell during a readout operation may reflect an accumulated intensity of light detected at a photodiode. The charge stored on a given capacitor, as well as any corresponding representations of the charge, such as the transmitted current, may be referred to herein as a type of analog pixel data. Of course, analog pixel data may include a set of spatially discrete intensity samples, each represented by continuous analog values.

[0331] Still further, the row logic 18-512 and the column read out circuit 18-520 may work in concert under the control of the control unit 18-514 to read a plurality of cells 18-542-18-545 of a plurality of pixels 18-540. For example, the control unit 18-514 may cause the row logic 18-512 to assert a row select signal comprising row control signals 18-530 associated with a given row of pixels 18-540 to enable analog pixel data associated with the row of pixels to be read. As shown in FIG. 18-3A, this may include the row logic 18-512 asserting one or more row select signals comprising row control signals 18-530(0) associated with a row 18-534(0) that includes pixel 18-540(0) and pixel 18-540(a). In response to the row select signal being asserted, each pixel 18-540 on row 18-534(0) transmits at least one analog value based on charges stored within the cells 18-542-18-545 of the pixel 18-540. In certain embodiments, cell 18-542 and cell 18-543 are configured to transmit corresponding analog values in response to a first row select signal, while cell 18-544 and cell 18-545 are configured to transmit corresponding analog values in response to a second row select signal.

[0332] In one embodiment, analog values for a complete row of pixels 18-540 comprising each row 18-534(0) through 18-534(r) may be transmitted in sequence to column read out circuit 18-520 through column signals 18-532. In one embodiment, analog values for a complete row or pixels or cells within a complete row of pixels may be transmitted simultaneously. For example, in response to row select signals comprising row control signals 18-530(0) being asserted, the pixel 18-540(0) may respond by transmitting at least one analog value from the cells 18-542-18-545 of the pixel 18-540(0) to the column read out circuit 18-520 through one or more signal paths comprising column signals 18-532(0); and simultaneously, the pixel 18-540(a) will also transmit at least one analog value from the cells 18-542-18-545 of the pixel 18-540(a) to the column read out circuit 18-520 through one or more signal paths comprising column signals 18-532(c). Of course, one or more analog values may be received at the column read out circuit 18-520 from one or more other pixels 18-540 concurrently to receiving the at least one analog value from pixel 18-540(0) and concurrently receiving the at least one analog value from the pixel 18-540(a). Together, a set of analog values received from the pixels 18-540 comprising row 18-534(0) may be referred to as an analog signal, and this analog signal may be based on an optical image focused on the pixel array 18-510. An analog signal may be a set of spatially discrete intensity samples, each represented by continuous analog values.

[0333] Further, after reading the pixels 18-540 comprising row 18-534(0), the row logic 18-512 may select a second row of pixels 18-540 to be read. For example, the row logic 18-512 may assert one or more row select signals comprising row control signals 18-530(r) associated with a row of pixels 18-540 that includes pixel 18-540(b) and pixel 18-540(z). As a result, the column read out circuit 18-520 may receive a corresponding set of analog values associated with pixels 18-540 comprising row 18-534(r).

[0334] The column read out circuit 18-520 may serve as a multiplexer to select and forward one or more received analog values to an analog-to-digital converter circuit, such as analog-to-digital unit 18-622 of FIG. 18-4. The column read out circuit 18-520 may forward the received analog values in a predefined order or sequence. In one embodiment, row logic 18-512 asserts one or more row selection signals comprising row control signals 18-530, causing a corresponding row of pixels to transmit analog values through column signals 18-532. The column read out circuit 18-520 receives the analog values and sequentially selects and forwards one or more of the analog values at a time to the analog-to-digital unit 18-622. Selection of rows by row logic 18-512 and selection of columns by column read out circuit 18-620 may be directed by control unit 18-514. In one embodiment, rows 18-534 are sequentially selected to be read, starting with row 18-534(0) and ending with row 18-534(r), and analog values associated with sequential columns are transmitted to the analog-to-digital unit 18-622. In other embodiments, other selection patterns may be implemented to read analog values stored in pixels 18-540.

[0335] Further, the analog values forwarded by the column read out circuit 18-520 may comprise analog pixel data, which may later be amplified and then converted to digital pixel data for generating one or more digital images based on an optical image focused on the pixel array 18-510.

[0336] FIGS. 18-3B-18-3D illustrate three optional pixel configurations, according to one or more embodiments. As an option, these pixel configurations may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, these pixel configurations may be implemented in any desired environment. By way of a specific example, any of the pixels 18-540 of FIGS. 18-3B-18-3D may operate as one or more of the pixels 18-540 of the pixel array 18-510.

[0337] As shown in FIG. 18-3B, a pixel 18-540 is illustrated to include a first cell (R) for measuring red light intensity, second and third cells (G) for measuring green light intensity, and a fourth cell (B) for measuring blue light intensity, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18-3C, a pixel 18-540 is illustrated to include a first cell (R) for measuring red light intensity, a second cell (G) for measuring green light intensity, a third cell (B) for measuring blue light intensity, and a fourth cell (W) for measuring white light intensity, in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18-3D, a pixel 18-540 is illustrated to include a first cell (C) for measuring cyan light intensity, a second cell (M) for measuring magenta light intensity, a third cell (Y) for measuring yellow light intensity, and a fourth cell (W) for measuring white light intensity, in accordance with yet another embodiment.

[0338] Of course, while pixels 18-540 are each shown to include four cells, a pixel 18-540 may be configured to include fewer or more cells for measuring light intensity. Still further, in another embodiment, while certain of the cells of pixel 18-540 are shown to be configured to measure a single peak wavelength of light, or white light, the cells of pixel 18-540 may be configured to measure any wavelength, range of wavelengths of light, or plurality of wavelengths of light.

[0339] Referring now to FIG. 18-3E, a system is shown for capturing optical scene information focused as an optical image on an image sensor 332, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the system of FIG. 18-3E may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures. Of course, however, the system of FIG. 18-3E may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0340] As shown in FIG. 18-3E, an image sensor 332 is shown to include a first cell 18-544, a second cell 18-545, and a third cell 18-548. Further, each of the cells 18-544-548 is shown to include a photodiode 18-562. Still further, upon each of the photodiodes 18-562 is a corresponding filter 18-564, and upon each of the filters 18-564 is a corresponding microlens 18-566. For example, the cell 18-544 is shown to include photodiode 18-562(0), upon which is filter 18-564(0), and upon which is microlens 18-566(0). Similarly, the cell 18-545 is shown to include photodiode 18-562(1), upon which is filter 18-564(1), and upon which is microlens 18-566(1). Still yet, as shown in FIG. 18-3E, pixel 18-540 is shown to include each of cells 18-544 and 18-545, photodiodes 18-562(0) and 18-562(1), filters 18-564(0) and 18-564(1), and microlenses 18-566(0) and 18-566(1).460.

[0341] In one embodiment, each of the microlenses 18-566 may be any lens with a diameter of less than 50 microns. However, in other embodiments each of the microlenses 18-566 may have a diameter greater than or equal to 50 microns. In one embodiment, each of the microlenses 18-566 may include a spherical convex surface for focusing and concentrating received light on a supporting substrate beneath the microlens 18-566. For example, as shown in FIG. 18-3E, the microlens 18-566(0) focuses and concentrates received light on the filter 18-564(0). In one embodiment, a microlens array 18-567 may include microlenses 18-566, each corresponding in placement to photodiodes 18-562 within cells 18-544 of image sensor 332.

[0342] In the context of the present description, the photodiodes 18-562 may comprise any semiconductor diode that generates a potential difference, or changes its electrical resistance, in response to photon absorption. Accordingly, the photodiodes 18-562 may be used to detect or measure light intensity. Further, each of the filters 18-564 may be optical filters for selectively transmitting light of one or more predetermined wavelengths. For example, the filter 18-564(0) may be configured to selectively transmit substantially only green light received from the corresponding microlens 18-566(0), and the filter 18-564(1) may be configured to selectively transmit substantially only blue light received from the microlens 18-566(1). Together, the filters 18-564 and microlenses 18-566 may be operative to focus selected wavelengths of incident light on a plane. In one embodiment, the plane may be a 2-dimensional grid of photodiodes 18-562 on a surface of the image sensor 332. Further, each photodiode 18-562 receives one or more predetermined wavelengths of light, depending on its associated filter. In one embodiment, each photodiode 18-562 receives only one of red, blue, or green wavelengths of filtered light. As shown with respect to FIGS. 18-3B-18-3D, it is contemplated that a photodiode may be configured to detect wavelengths of light other than only red, green, or blue. For example, in the context of FIGS. 18-3C-18-3D specifically, a photodiode may be configured to detect white, cyan, magenta, yellow, or non-visible light such as infrared or ultraviolet light.

[0343] To this end, each coupling of a cell, photodiode, filter, and microlens may be operative to receive light, focus and filter the received light to isolate one or more predetermined wavelengths of light, and then measure, detect, or otherwise quantify an intensity of light received at the one or more predetermined wavelengths. The measured or detected light may then be represented as an analog value stored within a cell. For example, in one embodiment, the analog value may be stored within the cell utilizing a capacitor, as discussed in more detail above. Further, the analog value stored within the cell may be output from the cell based on a selection signal, such as a row selection signal, which may be received from row logic 18-512. Further still, the analog value transmitted from a single cell may comprise one analog value in a plurality of analog values of an analog signal, where each of the analog values is output by a different cell. Accordingly, the analog signal may comprise a plurality of analog pixel data values from a plurality of cells. In one embodiment, the analog signal may comprise analog pixel data values for an entire image of a photographic scene. In another embodiment, the analog signal may comprise analog pixel data values for a subset of the entire image of the photographic scene. For example, the analog signal may comprise analog pixel data values for a row of pixels of the image of the photographic scene. In the context of FIGS. 18-3A-18-3E, the row 18-534(0) of the pixels 18-540 of the pixel array 18-510 may be one such row of pixels of the image of the photographic scene.

[0344] FIG. 18-4 illustrates a system for converting analog pixel data to digital pixel data, in accordance with an embodiment. As an option, the system of FIG. 18-4 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system of FIG. 18-4 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0345] As shown in FIG. 18-4, analog pixel data 18-621 is received from column read out circuit 18-520 at analog-to-digital unit 18-622 under the control of control unit 18-514. The analog pixel data 18-621 may be received within an analog signal, as noted hereinabove. Further, the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 generates digital pixel data 18-625 based on the received analog pixel data 18-621.

[0346] More specifically, and as shown in FIG. 18-4, the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 includes an amplifier 18-650 and an analog-to-digital converter 18-654. In one embodiment, the amplifier 18-650 receives both the analog pixel data 18-621 and a gain 18-652, and applies the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621 to generate gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623. The gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 is transmitted from the amplifier 18-650 to the analog-to-digital converter 18-654. The analog-to-digital converter 18-654 receives the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623, and converts the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 to the digital pixel data 18-625, which is then transmitted from the analog-to-digital converter 18-654. In other embodiments, the amplifier 18-650 may be implemented within the column read out circuit 18-520 instead of within the analog-to-digital unit 18-622. The analog-to-digital converter 18-654 may convert the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 to the digital pixel data 18-625 using any technically feasible analog-to-digital conversion system.

[0347] In an embodiment, the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 results from the application of the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621. In one embodiment, the gain 18-652 may be selected by the analog-to-digital unit 18-622. In another embodiment, the gain 18-652 may be selected by the control unit 18-514, and then supplied from the control unit 18-514 to the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 for application to the analog pixel data 18-621.

[0348] It should be noted, in one embodiment, that a consequence of applying the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621 is that analog noise may appear in the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623. If the amplifier 18-650 imparts a significantly large gain to the analog pixel data 18-621 in order to obtain highly sensitive data from of the pixel array 18-510, then a significant amount of noise may be expected within the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623. In one embodiment, the detrimental effects of such noise may be reduced by capturing the optical scene information at a reduced overall exposure. In such an embodiment, the application of the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621 may result in gain-adjusted analog pixel data with proper exposure and reduced noise.

[0349] In one embodiment, the amplifier 18-650 may be a transimpedance amplifier (TIA). Furthermore, the gain 18-652 may be specified by a digital value. In one embodiment, the digital value specifying the gain 18-652 may be set by a user of a digital photographic device, such as by operating the digital photographic device in a “manual” mode. Still yet, the digital value may be set by hardware or software of a digital photographic device. As an option, the digital value may be set by the user working in concert with the software of the digital photographic device.

[0350] In one embodiment, a digital value used to specify the gain 18-652 may be associated with an ISO. In the field of photography, the ISO system is a well-established standard for specifying light sensitivity. In one embodiment, the amplifier 18-650 receives a digital value specifying the gain 18-652 to be applied to the analog pixel data 18-621. In another embodiment, there may be a mapping from conventional ISO values to digital gain values that may be provided as the gain 18-652 to the amplifier 18-650. For example, each of ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, etc. may be uniquely mapped to a different digital gain value, and a selection of a particular ISO results in the mapped digital gain value being provided to the amplifier 18-650 for application as the gain 18-652. In one embodiment, one or more ISO values may be mapped to a gain of 1. Of course, in other embodiments, one or more ISO values may be mapped to any other gain value.

[0351] Accordingly, in one embodiment, each analog pixel value may be adjusted in brightness given a particular ISO value. Thus, in such an embodiment, the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 may include brightness corrected pixel data, where the brightness is corrected based on a specified ISO. In another embodiment, the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 for an image may include pixels having a brightness in the image as if the image had been sampled at a certain ISO.

[0352] In accordance with an embodiment, the digital pixel data 18-625 may comprise a plurality of digital values representing pixels of an image captured using the pixel array 18-510.

[0353] FIG. 18-5 illustrates a system 18-700 for converting analog pixel data of an analog signal to digital pixel data, in accordance with an embodiment. As an option, the system 18-700 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 18-700 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0354] The system 18-700 is shown in FIG. 18-5 to include an analog storage plane 18-702, an analog-to-digital unit 18-722, a first digital image 18-732, and a second digital image 18-734. Additionally, in one embodiment, analog values may each be depicted as a “V” within the analog storage plane 18-702 and corresponding digital values may each be depicted as a “D” within first digital image 18-732 and second digital image 18-734.

[0355] In the context of the present description, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise any collection of one or more analog values. In one embodiment, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise one or more analog pixel values. In some embodiments, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise at least one analog pixel value for each pixel of a row or line of a pixel array. Still yet, in another embodiment, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise at least one analog pixel value for each pixel of an entirety of a pixel array, which may be referred to as a frame. In one embodiment, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise an analog value for each cell of a pixel. In yet another embodiment, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise an analog value for each cell of each pixel of a row or line of a pixel array. In another embodiment, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise an analog value for each cell of each pixel of multiple lines or rows of a pixel array. For example, the analog storage plane 18-702 may comprise an analog value for each cell of each pixel of every line or row of a pixel array.

[0356] Further, the analog values of the analog storage plane 18-702 are output as analog pixel data 18-704 to the analog-to-digital unit 18-722. In one embodiment, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 may be substantially identical to the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 described within the context of FIG. 18-4. For example, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 may comprise at least one amplifier and at least one analog-to-digital converter, where the amplifier is operative to receive a gain value and utilize the gain value to gain-adjust analog pixel data received at the analog-to-digital unit 18-722. Further, in such an embodiment, the amplifier may transmit gain-adjusted analog pixel data to an analog-to-digital converter, which then generates digital pixel data from the gain-adjusted analog pixel data.

[0357] In the context of the system 18-700 of FIG. 18-5, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 receives the analog pixel data 18-704, and applies at least two different gains to the analog pixel data 18-704 to generate at least a first gain-adjusted analog pixel data and a second gain-adjusted analog pixel data. Further, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 converts each generated gain-adjusted analog pixel data to digital pixel data, and then outputs at least two digital outputs. To this end, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 provides a different digital output corresponding to each gain applied to the analog pixel data 18-704. With respect to FIG. 18-5 specifically, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 is shown to generate a first digital signal comprising first digital pixel data 18-723 corresponding to a first gain 18-652, and a second digital signal comprising second digital pixel data 18-724 corresponding to a second gain 18-752.

[0358] In one embodiment, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 applies in sequence the at least two gains to the analog values. For example, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 first applies the first gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-704, and then subsequently applies the second gain 18-752 to the same analog pixel data 18-704. In other embodiments, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 may apply in parallel the at least two gains to the analog values. For example, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 may apply the first gain 652 to the analog pixel data 18-704 in parallel with the application of the second gain 18-752 to the analog pixel data 18-704. To this end, as a result of applying the at least two gains, the analog pixel data 18-704 is amplified utilizing at least the first gain 18-652 and the second gain 18-752.

[0359] In accordance with one embodiment, the at least two gains may be determined using any technically feasible technique based on an exposure of a photographic scene, metering data, user input, detected ambient light, a strobe control, or any combination of the foregoing. For example, a first gain of the at least two gains may be determined such that half of the digital values from the analog storage plane 18-702 are converted to digital values above a specified threshold (e.g., a threshold of 0.5 in a range of 0.0 to 1.0) for the dynamic range associated with digital values comprising the first digital image 18-732, which can be characterized as having an “EV0” exposure. Continuing the example, a second gain of the at least two gains may be determined as being twice that of the first gain to generate a second digital image 18-734 characterized as having an “EV+1” exposure.

[0360] In one embodiment, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 converts in sequence the first gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the first digital pixel data 18-723, and the second gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the second digital pixel data 18-724. For example, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 first converts the first gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the first digital pixel data 18-723, and then subsequently converts the second gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the second digital pixel data 18-724. In other embodiments, the analog-to-digital unit 18-722 may perform such conversions in parallel, such that the first digital pixel data 18-723 is generated in parallel with the second digital pixel data 18-724.

[0361] Still further, as shown in FIG. 18-5, the first digital pixel data 18-723 is used to provide the first digital image 18-732. Similarly, the second digital pixel data 18-724 is used to provide the second digital image 18-734. The first digital image 18-732 and the second digital image 18-734 are both based upon the same analog pixel data 18-704, however the first digital image 18-732 may differ from the second digital image 18-734 as a function of a difference between the first gain 18-652 (used to generate the first digital image 18-732) and the second gain 18-752 (used to generate the second digital image 18-752). Specifically, the digital image generated using the largest gain of the at least two gains may be visually perceived as the brightest or more exposed. Conversely, the digital image generated using the smallest gain of the at least two gains may be visually perceived as the darkest and less exposed. To this end, a first light sensitivity value may be associated with the first digital pixel data 18-723, and a second light sensitivity value may be associated with the second digital pixel data 18-724. Further, because each of the gains may be associated with a different light sensitivity value, the first digital image or first digital signal may be associated with a first light sensitivity value, and the second digital image or second digital signal may be associated with a second light sensitivity value.

[0362] It should be noted that while a controlled application of gain to the analog pixel data may greatly aid in HDR image generation, an application of too great of gain may result in a digital image that is visually perceived as being noisy, over-exposed, and/or blown-out. In one embodiment, application of two stops of gain to the analog pixel data may impart visually perceptible noise for darker portions of a photographic scene, and visually imperceptible noise for brighter portions of the photographic scene. In another embodiment, a digital photographic device may be configured to provide an analog storage plane of analog pixel data for a captured photographic scene, and then perform at least two analog-to-digital samplings of the same analog pixel data using the analog-to-digital unit 18-722. To this end, a digital image may be generated for each sampling of the at least two samplings, where each digital image is obtained at a different exposure despite all the digital images being generated from the same analog sampling of a single optical image focused on an image sensor.

[0363] In one embodiment, an initial exposure parameter may be selected by a user or by a metering algorithm of a digital photographic device. The initial exposure parameter may be selected based on user input or software selecting particular capture variables. Such capture variables may include, for example, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. An image sensor may then capture a single exposure of a photographic scene at the initial exposure parameter, and populate an analog storage plane with analog values corresponding to an optical image focused on the image sensor. Next, a first digital image may be obtained utilizing a first gain in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, if the digital photographic device is configured such that the initial exposure parameter includes a selection of ISO 400, the first gain utilized to obtain the first digital image may be mapped to, or otherwise associated with, ISO 400. This first digital image may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value 0 (EV0). Further at least one more digital image may be obtained utilizing a second gain in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, the same analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image may be processed utilizing a second gain to generate a second digital image.

[0364] In one embodiment, at least two digital images may be generated using the same analog pixel data and blended to generate an HDR image. The at least two digital images generated using the same analog signal may be blended by blending a first digital signal and a second digital signal. Because the at least two digital images are generated using the same analog pixel data, there may be zero interframe time between the at least two digital images. As a result of having zero interframe time between at least two digital images of a same photographic scene, an HDR image may be generated without motion blur or other artifacts typical of HDR photographs.

[0365] In another embodiment, the second gain may be selected based on the first gain. For example, the second gain may be selected on the basis of it being one stop away from the first gain. More specifically, if the first gain is mapped to or associated with ISO 400, then one stop down from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 200, and one stop up from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 800. In such an embodiment, a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 200 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value −1 (EV-1), and a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 800 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value +1 (EV+1).

[0366] Still further, if a more significant difference in exposures is desired between digital images generated utilizing the same analog signal, then the second gain may be selected on the basis of it being two stops away from the first gain. For example, if the first gain is mapped to or associated with ISO 400, then two stops down from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 100, and two stops up from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 1600. In such an embodiment, a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 100 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value −2 (EV-2), and a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 1600 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value+2 (EV+2).

[0367] In one embodiment, an ISO and exposure of the EV0 image may be selected according to a preference to generate darker or more saturated digital images. In such an embodiment, the intention may be to avoid blowing out or overexposing what will be the brightest digital image, which is the digital image generated utilizing the greatest gain. In another embodiment, an EV-1 digital image or EV-2 digital image may be a first generated digital image. Subsequent to generating the EV-1 or EV-2 digital image, an increase in gain at an analog-to-digital unit may be utilized to generate an EV0 digital image, and then a second increase in gain at the analog-to-digital unit may be utilized to generate an EV+1 or EV+2 digital image. In one embodiment, the initial exposure parameter corresponds to an EV-N digital image and subsequent gains are used to obtain an EV0 digital image, an EV+M digital image, or any combination thereof, where N and M are values ranging from 0 to −10.

[0368] In one embodiment, an EV-2 digital image, an EV0 digital image, and an EV+2 digital image may be generated in parallel by implementing three analog-to-digital units. Such an implementation may be also capable of simultaneously generating all of an EV-1 digital image, an EV0 digital image, and an EV+1 digital image. Similarly, any combination of exposures may be generated in parallel from two or more analog-to-digital units, three or more analog-to-digital units, or an arbitrary number of analog-to-digital units.

[0369] FIG. 18-6 illustrates various timing configurations for amplifying analog signals, in accordance with various embodiments. As an option, the timing configurations of FIG. 18-6 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the timing configurations of FIG. 18-6 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0370] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18-6, per pixel timing configuration 18-801 is shown to amplify analog signals on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Further, per line timing configuration 18-811 is shown to amplify analog signals on a line-by-line basis. Finally, per frame timing configuration 18-821 is shown to amplify analog signals on a frame-by-frame basis. Each amplified analog signal associated with analog pixel data may be converted to a corresponding digital signal value.

[0371] In systems that implement per pixel timing configuration 18-801, an analog signal containing analog pixel data may be received at an analog-to-digital unit. Further, the analog pixel data may include individual analog pixel values. In such an embodiment, a first analog pixel value associated with a first pixel may be identified within the analog signal and selected. Next, each of a first gain 18-803, a second gain 18-805, and a third gain 18-807 may be applied in sequence or concurrently to the same first analog pixel value. In some embodiments less than or more than three different gains may be applied to a selected analog pixel value. For example, in some embodiments applying only two different gains to the same analog pixel value may be sufficient for generating a satisfactory HDR image. In one embodiment, after applying each of the first gain 18-803, the second gain 18-805, and the third gain 18-807, a second analog pixel value associated with a second pixel may be identified within the analog signal and selected. The second pixel may be a neighboring pixel of the first pixel. For example, the second pixel may be in a same row as the first pixel and located adjacent to the first pixel on a pixel array of an image sensor. Next, each of the first gain 18-803, the second gain 18-805, and the third gain 18-807 may be applied in sequence or concurrently to the same second analog pixel value. To this end, in the per pixel timing configuration 18-801, a plurality of sequential analog pixel values may be identified within an analog signal, and a set of at least two gains are applied to each pixel in the analog signal on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

[0372] Further, in systems that implement the per pixel timing configuration 18-801, a control unit may select a next gain to be applied after each pixel is amplified using a previously selected gain. In another embodiment, a control unit may control an amplifier to cycle through a set of predetermined gains that will be applied to a first analog pixel value, such a first analog pixel data value comprising analog pixel data 18-704, associated with a first pixel so that each gain in the set may be used to amplify the first analog pixel data before applying the set of predetermined gains to a second analog pixel data that subsequently arrives at the amplifier. In one embodiment, and as shown in the context of FIG. 18-6, this may include selecting a first gain, applying the first gain to a received first analog pixel value, selecting a second gain, applying the second gain to the received first analog pixel value, selecting a third gain, applying the third selected gain to the received first analog pixel value, and then receiving a second analog pixel value and applying the three selected gains to the second pixel value in the same order as applied to the first pixel value. In one embodiment, each analog pixel value may be read a plurality of times. In general, an analog storage plane may be utilized to hold the analog pixel values of the pixels for reading.

[0373] In systems that implement per line timing configuration 18-811, an analog signal containing analog pixel data may be received at an analog-to-digital unit. Further, the analog pixel data may include individual analog pixel values. In one embodiment, a first line of analog pixel values associated with a first line of pixels of a pixel array may be identified within the analog signal and selected. Next, each of a first gain 18-813, a second gain 18-815, and a third gain 18-817 may be applied in sequence or concurrently to the same first line of analog pixel values. In some embodiments less than or more than three different gains may be applied to a selected line of analog pixel values. For example, in some embodiments applying only two different gains to the same line of analog pixel values may be sufficient for generating a satisfactory HDR image. In one embodiment, after applying each of the first gain 18-813, the second gain 18-815, and the third gain 18-817, a second line of analog pixel values associated with a second line of pixels may be identified within the analog signal and selected. The second line of pixels may be a neighboring line of the first line of pixels. For example, the second line of pixels may be located immediately above or immediately below the first line of pixels in a pixel array of an image sensor. Next, each of the first gain 18-813, the second gain 18-815, and the third gain 18-817 may be applied in sequence or concurrently to the same second line of analog pixel values. To this end, in the per line timing configuration 18-811, a plurality of sequential lines of analog pixel values are identified within an analog signal, and a set of at least two gains are applied to each line of analog pixel values in the analog signal on a line-by-line basis.

[0374] Further, in systems that implement the per line timing configuration 18-811, a control unit may select a next gain to be applied after each line is amplified using a previously selected gain. In another embodiment, a control unit may control an amplifier to cycle through a set of predetermined gains that will be applied to a line so that each gain in the set is used to amplify a first line of analog pixel values before applying the set of predetermined gains to a second line of analog pixel values that arrives at the amplifier subsequent to the first line of analog pixel values. In one embodiment, and as shown in the context of FIG. 18-6, this may include selecting a first gain, applying the first gain to a received first line of analog pixel values, selecting a second gain, applying the second gain to the received first line of analog pixel values, selecting a third gain, applying the third selected gain to the received first line of analog pixel values, and then receiving a second line of analog pixel values and applying the three selected gains to the second line of analog pixel values in the same order as applied to the first line of analog pixel values. In one embodiment, each line of analog pixel values may be read a plurality of times. In another embodiment, an analog storage plane may be utilized to hold the analog pixel data values of one or more lines for reading.

[0375] In systems that implement per frame timing configuration 18-821, an analog signal that contains a plurality of analog pixel data values comprising analog pixel values may be received at an analog-to-digital unit. In such an embodiment, a first frame of analog pixel values associated with a first frame of pixels may be identified within the analog signal and selected. Next, each of a first gain 18-823, a second gain 18-825, and a third gain 18-827 may be applied in sequence or concurrently to the same first frame of analog pixel values. In some embodiments less than or more than three different gains may be applied to a selected frame of analog pixel values. For example, in some embodiments applying only two different gains to the same frame of analog pixel values may be sufficient for generating a satisfactory HDR image.

[0376] In one embodiment, after applying each of the first gain 18-823, the second gain 18-825, and the third gain 18-827, a second frame of analog pixel values associated with a second frame of pixels may be identified within the analog signal and selected. The second frame of pixels may be a next frame in a sequence of frames that capture video data associated with a photographic scene. For example, a digital photographic system may be operative to capture 30 frames per second of video data. In such digital photographic systems, the first frame of pixels may be one frame of said thirty frames, and the second frame of pixels may be a second frame of said thirty frames. Further still, each of the first gain 18-823, the second gain 18-825, and the third gain 18-827 may be applied in sequence to the analog pixel values of the second frame. To this end, in the per frame timing configuration 18-821, a plurality of sequential frames of analog pixel values may be identified within an analog signal, and a set of at least two gains are applied to each frame of analog pixel values on a frame-by-frame basis.

[0377] Further, in systems that implement the per frame timing configuration 18-821, a control unit may select a next gain to be applied after each frame is amplified using a previously selected gain. In another embodiment, a control unit may control an amplifier to cycle through a set of predetermined gains that will be applied to a frame so that each gain is used to amplify a analog pixel values associated with the first frame before applying the set of predetermined gains to analog pixel values associated with a second frame that subsequently arrive at the amplifier. In one embodiment, and as shown in the context of FIG. 18-6, this may include selecting a first gain, applying the first gain to analog pixel values associated with the first frame, selecting a second gain, applying the second gain to analog pixel values associated with the first frame, selecting a third gain, and applying the third gain to analog pixel values associated with the first frame. In another embodiment, analog pixel values associated with a second frame may be received following the application of all three selected gains to analog pixel values associated with the first frame, and the three selected gains may then be applied to analog pixel values associated with the second frame in the same order as applied to the first frame.

[0378] In yet another embodiment, selected gains applied to the first frame may be different than selected gains applied to the second frame, such as may be the case when the second frame includes different content and illumination than the first frame. In general, an analog storage plane may be utilized to hold the analog pixel data values of one or more frames for reading.

[0379] In certain embodiments, an analog-to-digital unit is assigned for each different gain and the analog-to-digital units are configured to operate concurrently. Resulting digital values may be interleaved for output or may be output in parallel. For example, analog pixel data for a given row may be amplified according to gain 18-803 and converted to corresponding digital values by a first analog-to-digital unit, while, concurrently, the analog pixel data for the row may be amplified according to gain 18-805 and converted to corresponding digital values by a second analog-to-digital unit. Furthermore, and concurrently, the analog pixel data for the row may be amplified according to gain 18-807 and converted to corresponding digital values by a third analog-to-digital unit. Digital values from the first through third analog-to-digital units may be output as sets of pixels, with each pixel in a set of pixels corresponding to one of the three gains 18-803, 18-805, 18-807. Similarly, output data values may be organized as lines having different gain values, with each line comprising pixels with a gain corresponding to one of the three gains 18-803, 18-805, 18-807.

[0380] FIG. 18-7 illustrates a system 18-900 for converting in parallel analog pixel data to multiple signals of digital pixel data, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the system 18-900 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 18-900 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0381] In the context of FIG. 18-7, the system 18-900 is shown to receive as input analog pixel data 18-621. The analog pixel data 18-621 may be received within an analog signal, as noted hereinabove. Further, the analog-to-digital units 18-622 may be configured to generate digital pixel data 18-625 based on the received analog pixel data 18-621.

[0382] As shown in FIG. 18-7, the system 18-900 is configured to mirror the current of the analog pixel data 18-621 such that each of analog-to-digital unit 18-622(0), analog-to-digital unit 18-622(1), and analog-to-digital unit 18-622(n) receive a scaled copy of the analog pixel data 18-621. In one embodiment, each of the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(0), the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(1), and the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(n) may be configured to apply a unique gain to the analog pixel data 18-621. Each scaled copy may be scaled according to physical dimensions for the transistors comprising system 18-900, which comprises a structure known in the art as a current mirror. As shown, each current i1, i2, i3 may be generated in an arbitrary ratio relative to input current Iin, based on the physical dimensions. For example, currents i1, i2, i3 may be generated in a ratio of 1:1:1, 1:2:4, 0.5:1:2, or any other technically feasible ratio relative to Iin.

[0383] In an embodiment, the unique gains may be configured at each of the analog-to-digital units 18-622 by a controller. By way of a specific example, the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(0) may be configured to apply a gain of 1.0 to the analog pixel data 18-621, the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(1) may be configured to apply a gain of 2.0 to the analog pixel data 18-621, and the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(n) may be configured to apply a gain of 4.0 to the analog pixel data 18-621. Accordingly, while the same analog pixel data 18-621 may be input transmitted to each of the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(0), the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(1), and the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(n), each of digital pixel data 18-625(0), digital pixel data 18-625(1), and digital pixel data 18-625(n) may include different digital values based on the different gains applied within the analog-to-digital units 18-622, and thereby provide unique exposure representations of the same photographic scene.

[0384] In the embodiment described above, where the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(0) may be configured to apply a gain of 1.0, the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(1) may be configured to apply a gain of 2.0, and the analog-to-digital unit 18-622(n) may be configured to apply a gain of 4.0, the digital pixel data 18-625(0) may provide the least exposed corresponding digital image. Conversely, the digital pixel data 18-625(n) may provide the most exposed digital image. In another embodiment, the digital pixel data 18-625(0) may be utilized for generating an EV-1 digital image, the digital pixel data 18-625(1) may be utilized for generating an EV0 digital image, and the digital pixel data 18-625(n) may be utilized for generating an EV+2 image. In another embodiment, system 18-900 is configured to generate currents i1, i2, and i3 in a ratio of 2:1:4, and each analog-to-digital unit 18-622 may be configured to apply a gain of 1.0, which results in corresponding digital images having exposure values of EV-1, EV0, and EV+1 respectively. In such an embodiment, further differences in exposure value may be achieved by applying non-unit gain within one or more analog-to-digital unit 18-622.

[0385] While the system 18-900 is illustrated to include three analog-to-digital units 18-622, it is contemplated that multiple digital images may be generated by similar systems with more or less than three analog-to-digital units 18-622. For example, a system with two analog-to-digital units 18-622 may be implemented for simultaneously generating two exposures of a photographic scene with zero interframe time in a manner similar to that described above with respect to system 18-900. In one embodiment, the two analog-to-digital units 18-622 may be configured to generate two exposures each, for a total of four different exposures relative to one frame of analog pixel data.

[0386] FIG. 18-8 illustrates a message sequence 18-1200 for generating a combined image utilizing a network, according to one embodiment. As an option, the message sequence 18-1200 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the message sequence 18-1200 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0387] As shown in FIG. 18-8, a wireless mobile device 18-376(0) generates at least two digital images. In one embodiment, the at least two digital images may be generated by amplifying an analog signal with at least two gains, where each generated digital image corresponds to digital output of an applied gain. As described previously, at least two different gains may be applied by one or more amplifiers to an analog signal containing analog pixel data in order to generate gain-adjusted analog pixel data. Further, the gain-adjusted analog pixel data may then be converted to the at least two digital images utilizing at least one analog-to-digital converter, where each of the digital images provides a different exposure of a same photographic scene. For example, in one embodiment, the at least two digital images may include an EV-1 exposure of the photographic scene and an EV+1 exposure of the photographic scene. In another embodiment, the at least two digital images may include an EV-2 exposure of the photographic scene, an EV0 exposure of the photographic scene, and an EV+2 exposure of the photographic scene.

[0388] Referring again to FIG. 18-8, the at least two digital images are transmitted from the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) to a data center 18-480 by way of a data network 18-474. The at least two digital images may be transmitted by the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) to the data center 18-480 using any technically feasible network communication method.

[0389] Further, in one embodiment, the data center 18-480 may then process the at least two digital images to generate a first computed image. The processing of the at least two digital images may include any processing of the at least two digital images that blends or merges at least a portion of each of the at least two digital images to generate the first computed image. To this end, the first digital image and the second digital image may be combined remotely from the wireless mobile device 18-376(0). For example, the processing of the at least two digital images may include an any type of blending operation, including but not limited to, an HDR image combining operation. In one embodiment, the processing of the at least two digital images may include any computations that produce a first computed image having a greater dynamic range than any one of the digital images received at the data center 18-480. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the first computed image generated by the data center 18-480 may be an HDR image. In other embodiments, the first computed image generated by the data center 18-480 may be at least a portion of an HDR image.

[0390] After generating the first computed image, the data center 18-480 may then transmit the first computed image to the wireless mobile device 18-376(0). In one embodiment, the transmission of the at least two digital images from the wireless mobile device 18-376(0), and the receipt of the first computed image at the wireless device 18-376(0), may occur without any intervention or instruction being received from a user of the wireless mobile device 18-376(0). For example, in one embodiment, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may transmit the at least two digital images to the data center 18-480 immediately after capturing a photographic scene and generating the at least two digital images utilizing an analog signal representative of the photographic scene. The photographic scene may be captured based on a user input or selection of an electronic shutter control, or pressing of a manual shutter button, on the wireless mobile device 18-376(0). Further, in response to receiving the at least two digital images, the data center 18-480 may generate an HDR image based on the at least two digital images, and transmit the HDR image to the wireless mobile device 18-376(0). The wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may then display the received HDR image. Accordingly, a user of the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may view on the display of the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) an HDR image computed by the data center 18-480. Thus, even though the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) does not perform any HDR image processing, the user may view on the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) the newly computed HDR image substantially instantaneously after capturing the photographic scene and generating the at least two digital images on which the HDR image is based.

[0391] As shown in FIG. 18-8, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) requests adjustment in processing of the at least two digital images. In one embodiment, upon receiving the first computed image from the data center 18-480, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may display the first computed image in a UI system, such as the UI system 1500 of FIG. 15. In such an embodiment, the user may control a slider control, such as the slider control 1530, to adjust the processing of the at least two digital images transmitted to the data center 18-480. For example, user manipulation of a slider control may result in commands being transmitted to the data center 18-480. In one embodiment, the commands transmitted to the data center 18-480 may include mix weights for use in adjusting the processing of the at least two digital images. In other embodiments, the request to adjust processing of the at least two digital images includes any instructions from the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) that the data center 18-480 may use to again process the at least two digital images and generate a second computed image.

[0392] As shown in FIG. 18-8, upon receiving the request to adjust processing, the data center 18-480 re-processes the at least two digital images to generate a second computed image. In one embodiment, the data center 18-480 may re-process the at least two digital images using parameters received from the wireless mobile device 18-376(0). In such an embodiment, the parameters may be provided as input with the at least two digital images to an HDR processing algorithm that executes at the data center 18-480. After generating the second computed image, the second computed image may be then transmitted from the data center 18-480 to the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) for display to the user.

[0393] Referring again to FIG. 18-8, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) shares the second computed image with another wireless mobile device 18-376(1). In one embodiment, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may share any computed image received from the data center 18-480 with the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1). For example, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may share the first computed image received from the data center 18-480. As shown in FIG. 18-8, the data center 18-480 communicates with the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) and the wireless mobile device 18-376(1) over the same data network 18-474. Of course, in other embodiments the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may communicate with the data center 18-480 via a network different than a network utilized by the data center 18-480 and the wireless mobile device 18-376(1) for communication.

[0394] In another embodiment, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may share a computed image with the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) by transmitting a sharing request to data center 18-480. For example, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may request that the data center 18-480 forward the second computed to the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1). In response to receiving the sharing request, the data center 18-480 may then transmit the second computed image to the wireless mobile device 18-376(1). In an embodiment, transmitting the second computed image to the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may include sending a URL at which the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may access the second computed image.

[0395] Still further, as shown in FIG. 18-8, after receiving the second computed image, the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may send to the data center 18-480 a request to adjust processing of the at least two digital images. For example, the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may display the second computed image in a UI system, such as the UI system 1500 of FIG. 15. A user of the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may manipulate UI controls to adjust the processing of the at least two digital images transmitted to the data center 18-480 by the wireless mobile device 18-376(0). For example, user manipulation of a slider control at the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may result in commands being generated and transmitted to data center 18-480 for processing. In an embodiment, the request to adjust the processing of the at least two digital images sent from the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1) includes the commands generated based on the user manipulation of the slider control at the other wireless mobile device 18-376(1). In other embodiments, the request to adjust processing of the at least two digital images includes any instructions from the wireless mobile device 18-376(1) that the data center 18-480 may use to again process the at least two digital images and generate a third computed image.

[0396] As shown in FIG. 18-8, upon receiving the request to adjust processing, the data center 18-480 re-processes the at least two digital images to generate a third computed image. In one embodiment, the data center 18-480 may re-process the at least two digital images using mix weights received from the wireless mobile device 18-376(1). In such an embodiment, the mix weights received from the wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may be provided as input with the at least two digital images to an HDR processing algorithm that executes at the data center 18-480. After generating the third computed image, the third computed image is then transmitted from the data center 18-480 to the wireless mobile device 18-376(1) for display. Still further, after receiving the third computed image, the wireless mobile device 18-376(1) may send to the data center 18-480 a request to store the third computed image. In another embodiment, other wireless mobile devices 18-376 in communication with the data center 18-480 may request storage of a computed image. For example, in the context of FIG. 18-8, the wireless mobile device 18-376(0) may at any time request storage of the first computed image or the second computed image.

[0397] In response to receiving a request to store a computed image, the data center 18-480 may store the computed image for later retrieval. For example, the stored computed image may be stored such that the computed image may be later retrieved without re-applying the processing that was applied to generate the computed image. In one embodiment, the data center 18-480 may store computed images within a storage system 18-486 local to the data center 18-480. In other embodiments, the data center 18-480 may store computed images within hardware devices not local to the data center 18-480, such as a data center 18-481. In such embodiments, the data center 18-480 may transmit the computed images over the data network 18-474 for storage.

[0398] Still further, in some embodiments, a computed image may be stored with a reference to the at least two digital images utilized to generate the computed image. For example, the computed image may be associated with the at least two digital images utilized to generate the computed image, such as through a URL served by data center 18-480 or 18-481. By linking the stored computed image to the at least two digital images, any user or device with access to the computed image may also be given the opportunity to subsequently adjust the processing applied to the at least two digital images, and thereby generate a new computed image.

[0399] To this end, users of wireless mobile devices 18-376 may leverage processing capabilities of a data center 18-480 accessible via a data network 18-474 to generate an HDR image utilizing digital images that other wireless mobile devices 18-376 have captured and subsequently provided access to. For example, digital signals comprising digital images may be transferred over a network for being combined remotely, and the combined digital signals may result in at least a portion of a HDR image. Still further, a user may be able to adjust a blending of two or more digital images to generate a new HDR photograph without relying on their wireless mobile device 18-376 to perform the processing or computation necessary to generate the new HDR photograph. Subsequently, the user's device may receive at least a portion of a HDR image resulting from a combination of two or more digital signals. Accordingly, the user's wireless mobile device 18-376 may conserve power by offloading HDR processing to a data center. Further, the user may be able to effectively capture HDR photographs despite not having a wireless mobile device 18-376 capable of performing high-power processing tasks associated with HDR image generation. Finally, the user may be able to obtain an HDR photograph generated using an algorithm determined to be best for a photographic scene without having to select the HDR algorithm himself or herself and without having installed software that implements such an HDR algorithm on their wireless mobile device 18-376. For example, the user may rely on the data center 18-480 to identify and to select a best HDR algorithm for a particular photographic scene.

[0400] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0401] FIG. 19-1 illustrates a system 19-100 for simultaneously capturing multiple images, in accordance with one possible embodiment. As an option, the system 19-100 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 19-100 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0402] As shown in FIG. 19-1, the system 19-100 includes a first input 19-102 that is provided to a first sample storage node 19-133(0) based on a photodiode 19-101, and a second input 19-104 provided simultaneously, at least in part, to a second sample storage node 19-133(1) based on the photodiode 19-101. Accordingly, based on the input 19-102 to the first sample storage node 19-133(0) and the input 19-104 to the second sample storage node 19-133(1), a first sample is stored to the first sample storage node 19-133(0) simultaneously, at least in part, with storage of a second sample to the second sample storage node 19-133(1). In one embodiment, simultaneous storage of the first sample during a first time duration and storing the second sample during a second time duration includes storing the first sample and the second sample at least partially contemporaneously. In one embodiment, an entirety of the first sample may be stored simultaneously with storage of at least a portion of the second sample. For example, storage of the second sample may occur during an entirety of the storing of the first sample; however, because storage of the second sample may occur over a greater period of time than storage of the first sample, storage of the first sample may occur during only a portion of the storing of the second sample. In an embodiment, storage of the first sample and the second sample may be started at the same time.

[0403] While the following discussion describes an image sensor apparatus and method for simultaneously capturing multiple images using one or more photodiodes of an image sensor, any photo-sensing electrical element or photosensor may be used or implemented.

[0404] In one embodiment, the photodiode 19-101 may comprise any semiconductor diode that generates a potential difference, current, or changes its electrical resistance, in response to photon absorption. Accordingly, the photodiode 19-101 may be used to detect or measure a light intensity. Further, the input 19-102 and the input 19-104 received at sample storage nodes 19-133(0) and 19-133(1), respectively, may be based on the light intensity detected or measured by the photodiode 19-101. In such an embodiment, the first sample stored at the first sample storage node 19-133(0) may be based on a first exposure time to light at the photodiode 19-101, and the second sample stored at the second sample storage node 19-133(1) may be based on a second exposure time to the light at the photodiode 19-101.

[0405] In one embodiment, the first input 19-102 may include an electrical signal from the photodiode 19-101 that is received at the first sample storage node 19-133(0), and the second input 19-104 may include an electrical signal from the photodiode 19-101 that is received at the second sample storage node 19-133(1). For example, the first input 19-102 may include a current that is received at the first sample storage node 19-133(0), and the second input 19-104 may include a current that is received at the second sample storage node 19-133(1). In another embodiment, the first input 19-102 and the second input 19-104 may be transmitted, at least partially, on a shared electrical interconnect. In other embodiments, the first input 19-102 and the second input 19-104 may be transmitted on different electrical interconnects. In some embodiments, the input 19-102 may be the same as the input 19-104. For example, the input 19-102 and the input 19-104 may each include the same current. In other embodiments, the input 19-102 may include a first current, and the input 19-104 may include a second current that is different than the first current. In yet other embodiments, the first input 19-102 may include any input from which the first sample storage node 19-133(0) may be operative to store a first sample, and the second input 19-104 may include any input from which the second sample storage node 19-133(1) may be operative to store a second sample.

[0406] In one embodiment, the first input 19-102 and the second input 19-104 may include an electronic representation of a portion of an optical image that has been focused on an image sensor that includes the photodiode 19-101. In such an embodiment, the optical image may be focused on the image sensor by a lens. The electronic representation of the optical image may comprise spatial color intensity information, which may include different color intensity samples (e.g. red, green, and blue light, etc.). In other embodiments, the spatial color intensity information may also include samples for white light. In one embodiment, the optical image may be an optical image of a photographic scene. In some embodiments, the photodiode 19-101 may be a single photodiode of an array of photodiodes of an image sensor. Such an image sensor may comprise a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or any other technically feasible form of image sensor. In other embodiments, photodiode 19-101 may include two or more photodiodes.

[0407] In one embodiment, each sample storage node 19-133 includes a charge storing device for storing a sample, and the stored sample may be a function of a light intensity detected at the photodiode 19-101. For example, each sample storage node 19-133 may include a capacitor for storing a charge as a sample. In such an embodiment, each capacitor stores a charge that corresponds to an accumulated exposure during an exposure time or sample time. For example, current received at each capacitor from an associated photodiode may cause the capacitor, which has been previously charged, to discharge at a rate that is proportional to an incident light intensity detected at the photodiode. The remaining charge of each capacitor may be subsequently output from the capacitor as a value. For example, the remaining charge of each capacitor may be output as an analog value that is a function of the remaining charge on the capacitor.

[0408] To this end, an analog value received from a capacitor may be a function of an accumulated intensity of light detected at an associated photodiode. In some embodiments, each sample storage node 19-133 may include circuitry operable for receiving input based on a photodiode. For example, such circuitry may include one or more transistors. The one or more transistors may be configured for rendering the sample storage node 19-133 responsive to various control signals, such as sample, reset, and row select signals received from one or more controlling devices or components. In other embodiments, each sample storage node 19-133 may include any device for storing any sample or value that is a function of a light intensity detected at the photodiode 19-101.

[0409] Further, as shown in FIG. 19-1, the first sample storage node 19-133(0) outputs first value 19-106, and the second sample storage node 19-133(1) outputs second value 19-108. In one embodiment, the first sample storage node 19-133(0) outputs the first value 19-106 based on the first sample stored at the first sample storage node 19-133(0), and the second sample storage node 19-133(1) outputs the second value 19-108 based on the second sample stored at the second sample storage node 19-133(1).

[0410] In some embodiments, the first sample storage node 19-133(0) outputs the first value 19-106 based on a charge stored at the first sample storage node 19-133(0), and the second sample storage node 19-133(1) outputs the second value 19-108 based on a second charge stored at the second sample storage node 19-133(1). The first value 19-106 may be output serially with the second value 19-108, such that one value is output prior to the other value; or the first value 19-106 may be output in parallel with the output of the second value 19-108. In various embodiments, the first value 19-106 may include a first analog value, and the second value 19-108 may include a second analog value. Each of these values may include a current, which may be output for inclusion in an analog signal that includes at least one analog value associated with each photodiode of a photodiode array. In such embodiments, the first analog value 19-106 may be included in a first analog signal, and the second analog value 19-108 may be included in a second analog signal that is different than the first analog signal. In other words, a first analog signal may be generated to include an analog value associated with each photodiode of a photodiode array, and a second analog signal may also be generated to include a different analog value associated with each of the photodiodes of the photodiode array. An analog signal may be a set of spatially discrete intensity samples, each represented by continuous analog values.

[0411] To this end, a single photodiode array may be utilized to generate a plurality of analog signals. The plurality of analog signal may be generated concurrently or in parallel. Further, the plurality of analog signals may each be amplified utilizing two or more gains, and each amplified analog signal may be converted to one or more digital signals such that two or more digital signals may be generated in total, where each digital signal may include a digital image. Accordingly, due to the partially contemporaneous storage of the first sample and the second sample, a single photodiode array may be utilized to concurrently generate multiple digital signals or digital images, where each digital signal is associated with a different exposure time or sample time of the same photographic scene. In such an embodiment, multiple digital signals having different exposure characteristics may be simultaneously generated for a single photographic scene. Such a collection of digital signals or digital images may be referred to as an image stack.

[0412] In certain embodiments, an analog signal comprises a plurality of distinct analog signals, and a signal amplifier comprises a corresponding set of distinct signal amplifier circuits. For example, each pixel within a row of pixels of an image sensor may have an associated distinct analog signal within an analog signal, and each distinct analog signal may have a corresponding distinct signal amplifier circuit. Further, two or more amplified analog signals may each include gain-adjusted analog pixel data representative of a common analog value from at least one pixel of an image sensor. For example, for a given pixel of an image sensor, a given analog value may be output in an analog signal, and then, after signal amplification operations, the given analog value is represented by a first amplified value in a first amplified analog signal, and by a second amplified value in a second amplified analog signal. Analog pixel data may be analog signal values associated with one or more given pixels.

[0413] FIG. 19-2 illustrates a method 19-200 for simultaneously capturing multiple images, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the method 19-200 may be carried out in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the method 19-200 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0414] As shown in operation 19-202, a first sample is stored based on an electrical signal from a photodiode of an image sensor. Further, simultaneous, at least in part, with the storage of the first sample, a second sample is stored based on the electrical signal from the photodiode of the image sensor at operation 19-204. As noted above, the photodiode of the image sensor may comprise any semiconductor diode that generates a potential difference, or changes its electrical resistance, in response to photon absorption. Accordingly, the photodiode may be used to detect or measure light intensity, and the electrical signal from the photodiode may include a photodiode current.

[0415] In some embodiments, each sample may include an electronic representation of a portion of an optical image that has been focused on an image sensor that includes the photodiode. In such an embodiment, the optical image may be focused on the image sensor by a lens. The electronic representation of the optical image may comprise spatial color intensity information, which may include different color intensity samples (e.g. red, green, and blue light, etc.). In other embodiments, the spatial color intensity information may also include samples for white light. In one embodiment, the optical image may be an optical image of a photographic scene. The photodiode may be a single photodiode of an array of photodiodes of the image sensor. Such an image sensor may comprise a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or any other technically feasible form of image sensor

[0416] In the context of one embodiment, each of the samples may be stored by storing energy. For example, each of the samples may include a charged stored on a capacitor. In such an embodiment, the first sample may include a first charge stored at a first capacitor, and the second sample may include a second charge stored at a second capacitor. In one embodiment, the first sample may be different than the second sample. For example, the first sample may include a first charge stored at a first capacitor, and the second sample may include a second charge stored at a second capacitor that is different than the first charge. In one embodiment, the first sample may be different than the second sample due to different sample times. For example, the first sample may be stored by charging or discharging a first capacitor for a first period of time, and the second sample may be stored by charging or discharging a second capacitor for a second period of time, where the first capacitor and the second capacitor may be substantially identical and charged or discharged at a substantially identical rate. Further, the second capacitor may be charged or discharged simultaneously, at least in part, with the charging or discharging of the first capacitor.

[0417] In another embodiment, the first sample may be different than the second sample due to, at least partially, different storage characteristics. For example, the first sample may be stored by charging or discharging a first capacitor for a period of time, and the second sample may be stored by charging or discharging a second capacitor for the same period of time, where the first capacitor and the second capacitor may have different storage characteristics and/or be charged or discharged at different rates. More specifically, the first capacitor may have a different capacitance than the second capacitor. Of course, the second capacitor may be charged or discharged simultaneously, at least in part, with the charging or discharging of the first capacitor.

[0418] Additionally, as shown at operation 19-206, after storage of the first sample and the second sample, a first value is output based on the first sample, and a second value is output based on the second sample, for generating at least one image. In the context of one embodiment, the first value and the second value are transmitted or output in sequence. For example, the first value may be transmitted prior to the second value. In another embodiment, the first value and the second value may be transmitted in parallel.

[0419] In one embodiment, each output value may comprise an analog value. For example, each output value may include a current representative of the associated stored sample. More specifically, the first value may include a current value representative of the stored first sample, and the second value may include a current value representative of the stored second sample. In one embodiment, the first value is output for inclusion in a first analog signal, and the second value is output for inclusion in a second analog signal different than the first analog signal. Further, each value may be output in a manner such that it is combined with other values output based on other stored samples, where the other stored samples are stored responsive to other electrical signals received from other photodiodes of an image sensor. For example, the first value may be combined in a first analog signal with values output based on other samples, where the other samples were stored based on electrical signals received from photodiodes that neighbor the photodiode from which the electrical signal utilized for storing the first sample was received. Similarly, the second value may be combined in a second analog signal with values output based on other samples, where the other samples were stored based on electrical signals received from the same photodiodes that neighbor the photodiode from which the electrical signal utilized for storing the second sample was received.

[0420] Finally, at operation 19-208, at least one of the first value and the second value are amplified utilizing two or more gains. In one embodiment, where each output value comprises an analog value, amplifying at least one of the first value and the second value may result in at least two amplified analog values. In another embodiment, where the first value is output for inclusion in a first analog signal, and the second value is output for inclusion in a second analog signal different than the first analog signal, one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal may be amplified utilizing the two or more gains. For example, a first analog signal that includes the first value may be amplified with a first gain and a second gain, such that the first value is amplified with the first gain and the second gain. Of course, more than two analog signals may be amplified using two or more gains. In one embodiment, each amplified analog signal may be converted to a digital signal comprising a digital image.

[0421] To this end, an array of photodiodes may be utilized to generate a first analog signal based on a first set of samples captured at a first exposure time or sample time, and a second analog signal based on a second set of samples captured at a second exposure time or sample time, where the first set of samples and the second set of samples may be two different sets of samples of the same photographic scene. Further, each analog signal may include an analog value generated based on each photodiode of each pixel of an image sensor. Each analog value may be representative of a light intensity measured at the photodiode associated with the analog value. Accordingly, an analog signal may be a set of spatially discrete intensity samples, each represented by continuous analog values, and analog pixel data may be analog signal values associated with one or more given pixels. Still further, each analog signal may undergo subsequent processing, such as amplification, which may facilitate conversion of the analog signal into one or more digital signals, each including digital pixel data, which may each comprise a digital image.

[0422] The embodiments disclosed herein may advantageously enable a camera module to sample images comprising an image stack with lower (e.g. at or near zero, etc.) inter-sample time (e.g. interframe, etc.) than conventional techniques. In certain embodiments, images comprising the image stack are effectively sampled or captured simultaneously, which may reduce inter-sample time to zero. In other embodiments, the camera module may sample images in coordination with the strobe unit to reduce inter-sample time between an image sampled without strobe illumination and an image sampled with strobe illumination.

[0423] More illustrative information will now be set forth regarding various optional architectures and uses in which the foregoing method may or may not be implemented, per the desires of the user. It should be strongly noted that the following information is set forth for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in any manner. Any of the following features may be optionally incorporated with or without the exclusion of other features described.

[0424] FIG. 19-3 illustrates a circuit diagram for a photosensitive cell 19-600, in accordance with one possible embodiment. As an option, the cell 19-600 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 19-600 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0425] As shown in FIG. 19-3, a photosensitive cell 19-600 includes a photodiode 19-602 coupled to a first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and a second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). The photodiode 19-602 may be implemented as the photodiode 19-101 described within the context of FIG. 19-1, or any of the photodiodes 18-562 of FIG. 18-3E. Further, an analog sampling circuit 19-603 may be implemented as a sample storage node 19-133 described within the context of FIG. 19-1. In one embodiment, a unique instance of photosensitive cell 19-600 may be implemented as each of cells 18-542-18-545 comprising a pixel 18-540 within the context of FIGS. 18-3A-18-3E.

[0426] As shown, the photosensitive cell 19-600 comprises two analog sampling circuits 19-603, and a photodiode 19-602. The two analog sampling circuits 19-603 include a first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) which is coupled to a second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). As shown in FIG. 19-3, the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) comprises transistors 19-606(0), 19-610(0), 19-612(0), 19-614(0), and a capacitor 19-604(0); and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) comprises transistors 19-606(1), 19-610(1), 19-612(1), 19-614(1), and a capacitor 19-604(1). In one embodiment, each of the transistors 19-606, 19-610, 19-612, and 19-614 may be a field-effect transistor.

[0427] The photodiode 19-602 may be operable to measure or detect incident light 19-601 of a photographic scene. In one embodiment, the incident light 19-601 may include ambient light of the photographic scene. In another embodiment, the incident light 19-601 may include light from a strobe unit utilized to illuminate the photographic scene. Of course, the incident light 19-601 may include any light received at and measured by the photodiode 19-602. Further still, and as discussed above, the incident light 19-601 may be concentrated on the photodiode 19-602 by a microlens, and the photodiode 19-602 may be one photodiode of a photodiode array that is configured to include a plurality of photodiodes arranged on a two-dimensional plane.

[0428] In one embodiment, the analog sampling circuits 19-603 may be substantially identical. For example, the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) may each include corresponding transistors, capacitors, and interconnects configured in a substantially identical manner. Of course, in other embodiments, the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) may include circuitry, transistors, capacitors, interconnects and/or any other components or component parameters (e.g. capacitance value of each capacitor 19-604) which may be specific to just one of the analog sampling circuits 19-603.

[0429] In one embodiment, each capacitor 19-604 may include one node of a capacitor comprising gate capacitance for a transistor 19-610 and diffusion capacitance for transistors 19-606 and 19-614. The capacitor 19-604 may also be coupled to additional circuit elements (not shown) such as, without limitation, a distinct capacitive structure, such as a metal-oxide stack, a poly capacitor, a trench capacitor, or any other technically feasible capacitor structures.

[0430] With respect to analog sampling circuit 19-603(0), when reset 19-616(0) is active (low), transistor 19-614(0) provides a path from voltage source V2 to capacitor 19-604(0), causing capacitor 19-604(0) to charge to the potential of V2. When sample signal 19-618(0) is active, transistor 19-606(0) provides a path for capacitor 19-604(0) to discharge in proportion to a photodiode current (I_PD) generated by the photodiode 19-602 in response to the incident light 19-601. In this way, photodiode current I_PD is integrated for a first exposure time when the sample signal 19-618(0) is active, resulting in a corresponding first voltage on the capacitor 19-604(0). This first voltage on the capacitor 19-604(0) may also be referred to as a first sample. When row select 19-634(0) is active, transistor 19-612(0) provides a path for a first output current from V1 to output 19-608(0). The first output current is generated by transistor 19-610(0) in response to the first voltage on the capacitor 19-604(0). When the row select 19-634(0) is active, the output current at the output 19-608(0) may therefore be proportional to the integrated intensity of the incident light 19-601 during the first exposure time. In one embodiment, sample signal 19-618(0) is asserted substantially simultaneously over substantially all photo sensitive cells 19-600 comprising an image sensor to implement a global shutter for all first samples within the image sensor.

[0431] With respect to analog sampling circuit 19-603(1), when reset 19-616(1) is active (low), transistor 19-614(1) provides a path from voltage source V2 to capacitor 19-604(1), causing capacitor 19-604(1) to charge to the potential of V2. When sample signal 19-618(1) is active, transistor 19-606(1) provides a path for capacitor 19-604(1) to discharge in proportion to a photodiode current (I_PD) generated by the photodiode 19-602 in response to the incident light 19-601. In this way, photodiode current I_PD is integrated for a second exposure time when the sample signal 19-618(1) is active, resulting in a corresponding second voltage on the capacitor 19-604(1). This second voltage on the capacitor 19-604(1) may also be referred to as a second sample. When row select 19-634(1) is active, transistor 19-612(1) provides a path for a second output current from V1 to output 19-608(1). The second output current is generated by transistor 19-610(1) in response to the second voltage on the capacitor 19-604(1). When the row select 19-634(1) is active, the output current at the output 19-608(1) may therefore be proportional to the integrated intensity of the incident light 19-601 during the second exposure time. In one embodiment, sample signal 19-618(1) is asserted substantially simultaneously over substantially all photo sensitive cells 19-600 comprising an image sensor to implement a global shutter for all second samples within the image sensor.

[0432] To this end, by controlling the first exposure time and the second exposure time such that the first exposure time is different than the second exposure time, the capacitor 19-604(0) may store a first voltage or sample, and the capacitor 19-604(1) may store a second voltage or sample different than the first voltage or sample, in response to a same photodiode current I_PD being generated by the photodiode 19-602. In one embodiment, the first exposure time and the second exposure time begin at the same time, overlap in time, and end at different times. Accordingly, each of the analog sampling circuits 19-603 may be operable to store an analog value corresponding to a different exposure. As a benefit of having two different exposure times, in situations where a photodiode 19-602 is exposed to a sufficient threshold of incident light 19-601, a first capacitor 19-604(0) may provide a blown out, or over-exposed image portion, and a second capacitor 19-604(1) of the same cell 19-600 may provide an analog value suitable for generating a digital image. Thus, for each cell 19-600, a first capacitor 19-604 may more effectively capture darker image content than another capacitor 19-604 of the same cell 19-600.

[0433] In other embodiments, it may be desirable to use more than two analog sampling circuits for the purpose of storing more than two voltages or samples. For example, an embodiment with three or more analog sampling circuits could be implemented such that each analog sampling circuit concurrently samples for a different exposure time the same photodiode current I_PD being generated by a photodiode. In such an embodiment, three or more voltages or samples could be obtained. To this end, a current I_PD generated by the photodiode 19-602 may be split over a number of analog sampling circuits 19-603 coupled to the photodiode 19-602 at any given time. Consequently, exposure sensitivity may vary as a function of the number of analog sampling circuits 19-603 that are coupled to the photodiode 19-602 at any given time, and the amount of capacitance that is associated with each analog sampling circuit 19-603. Such variation may need to be accounted for in determining an exposure time or sample time for each analog sampling circuit 19-603.

[0434] In various embodiments, capacitor 19-604(0) may be substantially identical to capacitor 19-604(1). For example, the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may have substantially identical capacitance values. In such embodiments, the photodiode current I_PD may be split evenly between the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) during a first portion of time where the capacitors are discharged at a substantially identical rage. The photodiode current may be subsequently directed to one selected capacitor of the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) during a second portion of time in which the selected capacitor discharges at twice the rate associated with the first portion of time. In one embodiment, to obtain different voltages or samples between the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1), a sample signal 19-618 of one of the analog sampling circuits may be activated for a longer or shorter period of time than a sample signal 19-618 is activated for any other analog sampling circuits 19-603 receiving at least a portion of photodiode current I_PD.

[0435] In an embodiment, an activation of a sample signal 19-618 of one analog sampling circuit 19-603 may be configured to be controlled based on an activation of another sample signal 19-618 of another analog sampling circuit 19-603 in the same cell 19-600. For example, the sample signal 19-618(0) of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) may be activated for a period of time that is controlled to be at a ratio of 2:1 with respect to an activation period for the sample signal 19-618(1) of the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). By way of a more specific example, a controlled ratio of 2:1 may result in the sample signal 19-618(0) being activated for a period of 1/30 of a second when the sample signal 19-618(1) has been selected to be activated for a period of 1/60 of a second. Of course activation or exposure times for each sample signal 19-618 may be controlled to be for other periods of time, such as for 1 second, 1/120 of a second, 1/1000 of a second, etc., or for other ratios, such as 0.5:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 3:1, etc. In one embodiment, a period of activation of at least one of the sample signals 19-618 may be controlled by software executing on a digital photographic system, such as digital photographic system 300, or by a user, such as a user interacting with a “manual mode” of a digital camera. For example, a period of activation of at least one of the sample signals 19-618 may be controlled based on a user selection of a shutter speed. To achieve a 2:1 exposure, a 3:1 exposure time may be needed due to current splitting during a portion of the overall exposure process.

[0436] In other embodiments, the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may have different capacitance values. In one embodiment, the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may have different capacitance values for the purpose of rendering one of the analog sampling circuits 19-603 more or less sensitive to the current I_PD from the photodiode 19-602 than other analog sampling circuits 19-603 of the same cell 19-600. For example, a capacitor 19-604 with a significantly larger capacitance than other capacitors 19-604 of the same cell 19-600 may be less likely to fully discharge when capturing photographic scenes having significant amounts of incident light 19-601. In such embodiments, any difference in stored voltages or samples between the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may be a function of the different capacitance values in conjunction with different activation times of the sample signals 19-618.

[0437] In an embodiment, sample signal 19-618(0) and sample signal 19-618(1) may be asserted to an active state independently. In another embodiment, the sample signal 19-618(0) and the sample signal 19-618(1) are asserted to an active state simultaneously, and one is deactivated at an earlier time than the other, to generate images that are sampled substantially simultaneously for a portion of time, but with each having a different effective exposure time or sample time. Whenever both the sample signal 19-618(0) and the sample signal 19-618(1) are asserted simultaneously, photodiode current I_PD may be divided between discharging capacitor 19-604(0) and discharging capacitor 19-604(1).

[0438] In one embodiment, the photosensitive cell 19-600 may be configured such that the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) share at least one shared component. In various embodiments, the at least one shared component may include a photodiode 19-602 of an image sensor. In other embodiments, the at least one shared component may include a reset, such that the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) may be reset concurrently utilizing the shared reset. In the context of FIG. 19-3, the photosensitive cell 19-600 may include a shared reset between the analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) and 19-603(1). For example, reset 19-616(0) may be coupled to reset 19-616(1), and both may be asserted together such that the reset 19-616(0) is the same signal as the reset 19-616(1), which may be used to simultaneously reset both of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). After reset, the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) may be asserted to sample together.

[0439] In another embodiment, a sample signal 19-618(0) for the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) may be independent of a sample signal 19-618(1) for the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). In one embodiment, a row select 19-634(0) for the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) may be independent of a row select 19-634(1) for the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). In other embodiments, the row select 19-634(0) for the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) may include a row select signal that is shared with the row select 19-634(1) for the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). In yet another embodiment, output signal at output 19-608(0) of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) may be independent of output signal at output 19-608(1) of the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). In another embodiment, the output signal of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) may utilize an output shared with the output signal of the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). In embodiments sharing an output, it may be necessary for the row select 19-634(0) of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) to be independent of the row select 19-634(1) of the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). In embodiments sharing a row select signal, it may be necessary for a line of the output 19-608(0) of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) to be independent of a line of the output 19-608(1) of the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1).

[0440] In one embodiment, a column signal 18-532 of FIG. 18-3A may comprise one output signal of a plurality of independent output signals of the outputs 19-608(0) and 19-608(1). Further, a row control signal 18-530 of FIG. 18-3A may comprise one of independent row select signals of the row selects 19-634(0) and 19-634(1), which may be shared for a given row of pixels. In embodiments of cell 19-600 that implement a shared row select signal, the row select 19-634(0) may be coupled to the row select 19-634(1), and both may be asserted together simultaneously.

[0441] In an embodiment, a given row of pixels may include one or more rows of cells, where each row of cells includes multiple instances of the photosensitive cell 19-600, such that each row of cells includes multiple pairs of analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) and 19-603(1). For example, a given row of cells may include a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0), and may further include a different second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) paired to each of the first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0). In one embodiment, the plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) may be driven independently from the plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1). In another embodiment, the plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) may be driven in parallel with the plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1). For example, each output 19-608(0) of each of the first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) of the given row of cells may be driven in parallel through one set of column signals 18-532. Further, each output 19-608(1) of each of the second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1) of the given row of cells may be driven in parallel through a second, parallel, set of column signals 18-532.

[0442] To this end, the photosensitive cell 19-600 may be utilized to simultaneously, at least in part, generate and store both of a first sample and a second sample based on the incident light 19-601. Specifically, the first sample may be captured and stored on a first capacitor during a first exposure time, and the second sample may be simultaneously, at least in part, captured and stored on a second capacitor during a second exposure time. Further, an output current signal corresponding to the first sample of the two different samples may be coupled to output 19-608(0) when row select 19-634(0) is activated, and an output current signal corresponding to the second sample of the two different samples may be coupled to output 19-608(1) when row select 19-634(1) is activated.

[0443] In one embodiment, the first value may be included in a first analog signal containing first analog pixel data for a plurality of pixels at the first exposure time, and the second value may be included in a second analog signal containing second analog pixel data for the plurality of pixels at the second exposure time. Further, the first analog signal may be utilized to generate a first stack of one or more digital images, and the second analog signal may be utilized to generate a second stack of one or more digital images. Any differences between the first stack of images and the second stack of images may be based on, at least in part, a difference between the first exposure time and the second exposure time. Accordingly, an array of photosensitive cells 19-600 may be utilized for simultaneously capturing multiple digital images.

[0444] In one embodiment, a unique instance of analog pixel data 19-621 may include, as an ordered set of individual analog values, all analog values output from all corresponding analog sampling circuits or sample storage nodes. For example, in the context of the foregoing figures, each cell of cells 18-542-18-545 of a plurality of pixels 18-540 of a pixel array 18-510 may include both a first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and a second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). Thus, the pixel array 18-510 may include a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) and also include a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1). In other words, the pixel array 18-510 may include a first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) for each cell, and also include a second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) for each cell. In an embodiment, a first instance of analog pixel data 19-621 may be received containing a discrete analog value from each analog sampling circuit of a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0), and a second instance of analog pixel data 19-621 may be received containing a discrete analog value from each analog sampling circuit of a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1). Thus, in embodiments where cells of a pixel array include two or more analog sampling circuits, the pixel array may output two or more discrete analog signals, where each analog signal includes a unique instance of analog pixel data 19-621.

[0445] In some embodiments, only a subset of the cells of a pixel array may include two or more analog sampling circuits. For example, not every cell may include both a first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and a second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1).

[0446] With continuing reference to FIG. 18-4, the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 includes an amplifier 18-650 and an analog-to-digital converter 18-654. In one embodiment, the amplifier 18-650 receives an instance of analog pixel data 18-621 and a gain 18-652, and applies the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621 to generate gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623. The gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 is transmitted from the amplifier 18-650 to the analog-to-digital converter 18-654. The analog-to-digital converter 18-654 receives the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623, and converts the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 to the digital pixel data 18-625, which is then transmitted from the analog-to-digital converter 18-654. In other embodiments, the amplifier 18-650 may be implemented within the column read out circuit 18-520 instead of within the analog-to-digital unit 18-622. The analog-to-digital converter 18-654 may convert the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 to the digital pixel data 18-625 using any technically feasible analog-to-digital conversion technique.

[0447] In an embodiment, the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 results from the application of the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621. In one embodiment, the gain 18-652 may be selected by the analog-to-digital unit 18-622. In another embodiment, the gain 18-652 may be selected by the control unit 18-514, and then supplied from the control unit 18-514 to the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 for application to the analog pixel data 18-621.

[0448] It should be noted, in one embodiment, that a consequence of applying the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621 is that analog noise may appear in the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623. If the amplifier 18-650 imparts a significantly large gain to the analog pixel data 18-621 in order to obtain highly sensitive data from of the pixel array 18-510, then a significant amount of noise may be expected within the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623. In one embodiment, the detrimental effects of such noise may be reduced by capturing the optical scene information at a reduced overall exposure. In such an embodiment, the application of the gain 18-652 to the analog pixel data 18-621 may result in gain-adjusted analog pixel data with proper exposure and reduced noise.

[0449] In one embodiment, the amplifier 18-650 may be a transimpedance amplifier (TIA). Furthermore, the gain 18-652 may be specified by a digital value. In one embodiment, the digital value specifying the gain 18-652 may be set by a user of a digital photographic device, such as by operating the digital photographic device in a “manual” mode. Still yet, the digital value may be set by hardware or software of a digital photographic device. As an option, the digital value may be set by the user working in concert with the software of the digital photographic device.

[0450] In one embodiment, a digital value used to specify the gain 18-652 may be associated with an ISO. In the field of photography, the ISO system is a well-established standard for specifying light sensitivity. In one embodiment, the amplifier 18-650 receives a digital value specifying the gain 18-652 to be applied to the analog pixel data 18-621. In another embodiment, there may be a mapping from conventional ISO values to digital gain values that may be provided as the gain 18-652 to the amplifier 18-650. For example, each of ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, etc. may be uniquely mapped to a different digital gain value, and a selection of a particular ISO results in the mapped digital gain value being provided to the amplifier 18-650 for application as the gain 18-652. In one embodiment, one or more ISO values may be mapped to a gain of 1. Of course, in other embodiments, one or more ISO values may be mapped to any other gain value.

[0451] Accordingly, in one embodiment, each analog pixel value may be adjusted in brightness given a particular ISO value. Thus, in such an embodiment, the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 may include brightness corrected pixel data, where the brightness is corrected based on a specified ISO. In another embodiment, the gain-adjusted analog pixel data 18-623 for an image may include pixels having a brightness in the image as if the image had been sampled at a certain ISO.

[0452] In accordance with an embodiment, the digital pixel data 18-625 may comprise a plurality of digital values representing pixels of an image captured using the pixel array 18-510.

[0453] In one embodiment, an instance of digital pixel data 18-625 may be output for each instance of analog pixel data 18-621 received. Thus, where a pixel array 18-510 includes a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) and also includes a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1), then a first instance of analog pixel data 18-621 may be received containing a discrete analog value from each of the first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) and a second instance of analog pixel data 18-621 may be received containing a discrete analog value from each of the second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1). In such an embodiment, a first instance of digital pixel data 18-625 may be output based on the first instance of analog pixel data 18-621, and a second instance of digital pixel data 18-625 may be output based on the second instance of analog pixel data 18-621.

[0454] Further, the first instance of digital pixel data 18-625 may include a plurality of digital values representing pixels of a first image captured using the plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) of the pixel array 18-510, and the second instance of digital pixel data 18-625 may include a plurality of digital values representing pixels of a second image captured using the plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1) of the pixel array 18-510. Where the first instance of digital pixel data 18-625 and the second instance of digital pixel data 18-625 are generated utilizing the same gain 18-652, then any differences between the instances of digital pixel data may be a function of a difference between the exposure time of the plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) and the exposure time of the plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1).

[0455] In some embodiments, two or more gains 18-652 may be applied to an instance of analog pixel data 18-621, such that two or more instances of digital pixel data 18-625 may be output for each instance of analog pixel data 18-621. For example, two or more gains may be applied to both of a first instance of analog pixel data 18-621 and a second instance of analog pixel data 18-621. In such an embodiment, the first instance of analog pixel data 18-621 may contain a discrete analog value from each of a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) of a pixel array 18-510, and the second instance of analog pixel data 18-621 may contain a discrete analog value from each of a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1) of the pixel array 18-510. Thus, four or more instances of digital pixel data 18-625 associated with four or more corresponding digital images may be generated from a single capture by the pixel array 18-510 of a photographic scene.

[0456] FIG. 19-4 illustrates a system 19-700 for converting analog pixel data of an analog signal to digital pixel data, in accordance with an embodiment. As an option, the system 19-700 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 19-700 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0457] The system 19-700 is shown in FIG. 19-4 to include a first analog storage plane 19-702(0), a first analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0), and a first digital image stack 19-732(0), and is shown to further include a second analog storage plane 19-702(1), a second analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1), and a second digital image stack 19-732(1). Accordingly, the system 19-700 is shown to include at least two analog storage planes 19-702(0) and 19-702(1). As illustrated in FIG. 19-4, a plurality of analog values are each depicted as a “V” within each of the analog storage planes 19-702, and corresponding digital values are each depicted as a “D” within digital images of each of the image stacks 19-732.

[0458] In the context of certain embodiments, each analog storage plane 19-702 may comprise any collection of one or more analog values. In some embodiments, each analog storage plane 19-702 may comprise at least one analog pixel value for each pixel of a row or line of a pixel array. Still yet, in another embodiment, each analog storage plane 19-702 may comprise at least one analog pixel value for each pixel of an entirety of a pixel array, which may be referred to as a frame. For example, each analog storage plane 19-702 may comprise an analog pixel value, or more generally, an analog value for each cell of each pixel of every line or row of a pixel array.

[0459] Further, the analog values of each analog storage plane 19-702 are output as analog pixel data 19-704 to a corresponding analog-to-digital unit 19-722. For example, the analog values of analog storage plane 19-702(0) are output as analog pixel data 19-704(0) to analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0), and the analog values of analog storage plane 19-702(1) are output as analog pixel data 19-704(1) to analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1). In one embodiment, each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 may be substantially identical to the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 described within the context of FIG. 18-4. For example, each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 may comprise at least one amplifier and at least one analog-to-digital converter, where the amplifier is operative to receive a gain value and utilize the gain value to gain-adjust analog pixel data received at the analog-to-digital unit 19-722. Further, in such an embodiment, the amplifier may transmit gain-adjusted analog pixel data to an analog-to-digital converter, which then generates digital pixel data from the gain-adjusted analog pixel data. To this end, an analog-to-digital conversion may be performed on the contents of each of two or more different analog storage planes 19-702.

[0460] In the context of the system 19-700 of FIG. 19-4, each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 receives corresponding analog pixel data 19-704, and applies at least two different gains to the received analog pixel data 19-704 to generate at least a first gain-adjusted analog pixel data and a second gain-adjusted analog pixel data. For example, the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) receives analog pixel data 19-704(0), and applies at least two different gains to the analog pixel data 19-704(0) to generate at least a first gain-adjusted analog pixel data and a second gain-adjusted analog pixel data based on the analog pixel data 19-704(0); and the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) receives analog pixel data 19-704(1), and applies at least two different gains to the analog pixel data 19-704(1) to generate at least a first gain-adjusted analog pixel data and a second gain-adjusted analog pixel data based on the analog pixel data 19-704(1).

[0461] Further, each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 converts each generated gain-adjusted analog pixel data to digital pixel data, and then outputs at least two digital outputs. In one embodiment, each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 provides a different digital output corresponding to each gain applied to the received analog pixel data 19-704. With respect to FIG. 19-4 specifically, the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) is shown to generate a first digital signal comprising first digital pixel data 19-723(0) corresponding to a first gain (Gain1), a second digital signal comprising second digital pixel data 19-724(0) corresponding to a second gain (Gain2), and a third digital signal comprising third digital pixel data 19-725(0) corresponding to a third gain (Gain3). Similarly, the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) is shown to generate a first digital signal comprising first digital pixel data 19-723(1) corresponding to a first gain (Gain1), a second digital signal comprising second digital pixel data 19-724(1) corresponding to a second gain (Gain2), and a third digital signal comprising third digital pixel data 19-725(1) corresponding to a third gain (Gain3). Each instance of each digital pixel data may comprise a digital image, such that each digital signal comprises a digital image.

[0462] Accordingly, as a result of the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) applying each of Gain1, Gain2, and Gain3 to the analog pixel data 19-704(0), and thereby generating first digital pixel data 19-723(0), second digital pixel data 19-724(0), and third digital pixel data 19-725(0), the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) generates a stack of digital images, also referred to as an image stack 19-732(0). Similarly, as a result of the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) applying each of Gain1, Gain2, and Gain3 to the analog pixel data 19-704(1), and thereby generating first digital pixel data 19-723(1), second digital pixel data 19-724(1), and third digital pixel data 19-725(1), the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) generates a second stack of digital images, also referred to as an image stack 19-732(1).

[0463] In one embodiment, each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 applies in sequence at least two gains to the analog values. For example, within the context of FIG. 19-4, the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) first applies Gain1 to the analog pixel data 19-704(0), then subsequently applies Gain2 to the same analog pixel data 19-704(0), and then subsequently applies Gain3 to the same analog pixel data 19-704(0). In other embodiments, each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 may apply in parallel at least two gains to the analog values. For example, an analog-to-digital unit may apply Gain1 to received analog pixel data in parallel with application of Gain2 and Gain3 to the analog pixel data. To this end, each instance of analog pixel data 19-704 is amplified utilizing at least two gains.

[0464] In one embodiment, the gains applied to the analog pixel data 19-704(0) at the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) may be the same as the gains applied to the analog pixel data 19-704(1) at the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1). By way of a specific example, the Gain1 applied by both of the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) and the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) may be a gain of 19-1.0, the Gain2 applied by both of the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) and the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) may be a gain of 19-2.0, and the Gain3 applied by both of the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) and the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) may be a gain of 4.0. In another embodiment, one or more of the gains applied to the analog pixel data 19-704(0) at the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) may be different from the gains applied to the analog pixel data 19-704(1) at the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1). For example, the Gain1 applied at the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(0) may be a gain of 19-1.0, and the Gain1 applied at the analog-to-digital unit 19-722(1) may be a gain of 19-2.0. Accordingly, the gains applied at each analog-to-digital unit 19-722 may be selected dependently or independently of the gains applied at other analog-to-digital units 19-722 within system 19-700.

[0465] In accordance with one embodiment, the at least two gains may be determined using any technically feasible technique based on an exposure of a photographic scene, metering data, user input, detected ambient light, a strobe control, or any combination of the foregoing. For example, a first gain of the at least two gains may be determined such that half of the digital values from an analog storage plane 19-702 are converted to digital values above a specified threshold (e.g., a threshold of 0.5 in a range of 0.0 to 19-1.0) for the dynamic range associated with digital values comprising a first digital image of an image stack 19-732, which can be characterized as having an “EV0” exposure. Continuing the example, a second gain of the at least two gains may be determined as being twice that of the first gain to generate a second digital image of the image stack 19-732 characterized as having an “EV+1” exposure. Further still, a third gain of the at least two gains may be determined as being half that of the first gain to generate a third digital image of the image stack 19-732 characterized as having an “EV-1” exposure.

[0466] In one embodiment, an analog-to-digital unit 19-722 converts in sequence a first instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the first digital pixel data 19-723, a second instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the second digital pixel data 19-724, and a third instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the third digital pixel data 19-725. For example, an analog-to-digital unit 19-722 may first convert a first instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to first digital pixel data 19-723, then subsequently convert a second instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to second digital pixel data 19-724, and then subsequently convert a third instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to third digital pixel data 19-725. In other embodiments, an analog-to-digital unit 19-722 may perform such conversions in parallel, such that one or more of a first digital pixel data 19-723, a second digital pixel data 19-724, and a third digital pixel data 19-725 are generated in parallel.

[0467] Still further, as shown in FIG. 19-4, each first digital pixel data 19-723 provides a first digital image. Similarly, each second digital pixel data 19-724 provides a second digital image, and each third digital pixel data 19-725 provides a third digital image. Together, each set of digital images produced using the analog values of a single analog storage plane 19-702 comprises an image stack 19-732. For example, image stack 19-732(0) comprises digital images produced using analog values of the analog storage plane 19-702(0), and image stack 19-732(1) comprises the digital images produced using the analog values of the analog storage plane 19-702(1).

[0468] As illustrated in FIG. 19-4, all digital images of an image stack 19-732 may be based upon a same analog pixel data 19-704. However, each digital image of an image stack 19-732 may differ from other digital images in the image stack 19-732 as a function of a difference between the gains used to generate the two digital images. Specifically, a digital image generated using the largest gain of at least two gains may be visually perceived as the brightest or more exposed of the digital images of the image stack 19-732. Conversely, a digital image generated using the smallest gain of the at least two gains may be visually perceived as the darkest and less exposed than other digital images of the image stack 19-732. To this end, a first light sensitivity value may be associated with first digital pixel data 19-723, a second light sensitivity value may be associated with second digital pixel data 19-724, and a third light sensitivity value may be associated with third digital pixel data 19-725. Further, because each of the gains may be associated with a different light sensitivity value, a first digital image or first digital signal may be associated with a first light sensitivity value, a second digital image or second digital signal may be associated with a second light sensitivity value, and a third digital image or third digital signal may be associated with a third light sensitivity value.

[0469] It should be noted that while a controlled application of gain to the analog pixel data may greatly aid in HDR image generation, an application of too great of gain may result in a digital image that is visually perceived as being noisy, over-exposed, and/or blown-out. In one embodiment, application of two stops of gain to the analog pixel data may impart visually perceptible noise for darker portions of a photographic scene, and visually imperceptible noise for brighter portions of the photographic scene. In another embodiment, a digital photographic device may be configured to provide an analog storage plane for analog pixel data of a captured photographic scene, and then perform at least two analog-to-digital samplings of the same analog pixel data using an analog-to-digital unit 19-722. To this end, a digital image may be generated for each sampling of the at least two samplings, where each digital image is obtained at a different exposure despite all the digital images being generated from the same analog sampling of a single optical image focused on an image sensor.

[0470] In one embodiment, an initial exposure parameter may be selected by a user or by a metering algorithm of a digital photographic device. The initial exposure parameter may be selected based on user input or software selecting particular capture variables. Such capture variables may include, for example, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. An image sensor may then capture a photographic scene at the initial exposure parameter, and populate a first analog storage plane with a first plurality of analog values corresponding to an optical image focused on the image sensor. Simultaneous, at least in part, with populating the first analog storage plane, a second analog storage plane may be populated with a second plurality of analog values corresponding to the optical image focused on the image sensor. In the context of the foregoing Figures, a first analog storage plane 19-702(0) may be populated with a plurality of analog values output from a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) of a pixel array 18-510, and a second analog storage plane 19-702(1) may be populated with a plurality of analog values output from a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1) of the pixel array 18-510.

[0471] In other words, in an embodiment where each photosensitive cell includes two analog sampling circuits, then two analog storage planes may be configured such that a first of the analog storage planes stores a first analog value output from one of the analog sampling circuits of a cell, and a second of the analog storage planes stores a second analog value output from the other analog sampling circuit of the same cell. In this configuration, each of the analog storage planes may store at least one analog value received from a pixel of a pixel array or image sensor.

[0472] Further, each of the analog storage planes may receive and store different analog values for a given pixel of the pixel array or image sensor. For example, an analog value received for a given pixel and stored in a first analog storage plane may be output based on a first sample captured during a first exposure time, and a corresponding analog value received for the given pixel and stored in a second analog storage plane may be output based on a second sample captured during a second exposure time that is different than the first exposure time. Accordingly, in one embodiment, substantially all analog values stored in a first analog storage plane may be based on samples obtained during a first exposure time, and substantially all analog values stored in a second analog storage plane may be based on samples obtained during a second exposure time that is different than the first exposure time.

[0473] In the context of the present description, a “single exposure” of a photographic scene at an initial exposure parameter may include simultaneously, at least in part, capturing the photographic scene using two or more sets of analog sampling circuits, where each set of analog sampling circuits may be configured to operate at different exposure times. During capture of the photographic scene using the two or more sets of analog sampling circuits, the photographic scene may be illuminated by ambient light or may be illuminated using a strobe unit. Further, after capturing the photographic scene using the two or more sets of analog sampling circuits, two or more analog storage planes (e.g., one storage plane for each set of analog sampling circuits) may be populated with analog values corresponding to an optical image focused on an image sensor. Next, one or more digital images of a first image stack may be obtained by applying one or more gains to the analog values of a first analog storage plane in accordance with the above systems and methods. Further, one or more digital images of a second image stack may be obtained by applying one or more gains to the analog values of a second analog storage plane in accordance with the above systems and methods.

[0474] To this end, one or more image stacks 19-732 may be generated based on a single exposure of a photographic scene. In one embodiment, each digital image of a particular image stack 19-732 may be generated based on a common exposure time or sample time, but be generated utilizing a unique gain. In such an embodiment, each of the image stacks 19-732 of the single exposure of a photographic scene may be generated based on different sample times.

[0475] In one embodiment, a first digital image of an image stack 19-732 may be obtained utilizing a first gain in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, if a digital photographic device is configured such that initial exposure parameter includes a selection of ISO 400, the first gain utilized to obtain the first digital image may be mapped to, or otherwise associated with, ISO 400. This first digital image may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value 0 (EV0). Further one more digital images may be obtained utilizing a second gain in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, the same analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image may be processed utilizing a second gain to generate a second digital image. Still further, one or more digital images may be obtained utilizing a second analog storage plane in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, second analog pixel data may be used to generate a second digital image, where the second analog pixel data is different from the analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image. Specifically, the analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image may have been captured using a first sample time, and the second analog pixel data may have been captured using a second sample time different than the first sample time. Specifically, the analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image may have been captured during a first exposure time, and the second analog pixel data may have been captured during a second exposure time different than the first exposure time.

[0476] To this end, at least two digital images may be generated utilizing different analog pixel data, and then blended to generate an HDR image. The at least two digital images may be blended by blending a first digital signal and a second digital signal. Where the at least two digital images are generated using different analog pixel data captured during a single exposure of a photographic scene, then there may be approximately, or near, zero interframe time between the at least two digital images. As a result of having zero, or near zero, interframe time between at least two digital images of a same photographic scene, an HDR image may be generated, in one possible embodiment, without motion blur or other artifacts typical of HDR photographs.

[0477] In one embodiment, after selecting a first gain for generating a first digital image of an image stack 19-732, a second gain may be selected based on the first gain. For example, the second gain may be selected on the basis of it being one stop away from the first gain. More specifically, if the first gain is mapped to or associated with ISO 400, then one stop down from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 200, and one stop up from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 800. In such an embodiment, a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 200 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value −1 (EV-1), and a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 800 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value+1 (EV+1).

[0478] Still further, if a more significant difference in exposures is desired between digital images generated utilizing the same analog signal, then the second gain may be selected on the basis of it being two stops away from the first gain. For example, if the first gain is mapped to or associated with ISO 400, then two stops down from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 100, and two stops up from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 1600. In such an embodiment, a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 100 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value −2 (EV-2), and a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 1600 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value+2 (EV+2).

[0479] In one embodiment, an ISO and exposure of the EV0 image may be selected according to a preference to generate darker digital images. In such an embodiment, the intention may be to avoid blowing out or overexposing what will be the brightest digital image, which is the digital image generated utilizing the greatest gain. In another embodiment, an EV-1 digital image or EV-2 digital image may be a first generated digital image. Subsequent to generating the EV-1 or EV-2 digital image, an increase in gain at an analog-to-digital unit may be utilized to generate an EV0 digital image, and then a second increase in gain at the analog-to-digital unit may be utilized to generate an EV+1 or EV+2 digital image. In one embodiment, the initial exposure parameter corresponds to an EV-N digital image and subsequent gains are used to obtain an EV0 digital image, an EV+M digital image, or any combination thereof, where N and M are values ranging from 0 to −10.

[0480] In one embodiment, three digital images having three different exposures (e.g. an EV-2 digital image, an EV0 digital image, and an EV+2 digital image) may be generated in parallel by implementing three analog-to-digital units. Each analog-to-digital unit may be configured to convert one or more analog signal values to corresponding digital signal values. Such an implementation may be also capable of simultaneously generating all of an EV-1 digital image, an EV0 digital image, and an EV+1 digital image. Similarly, in other embodiments, any combination of exposures may be generated in parallel from two or more analog-to-digital units, three or more analog-to-digital units, or an arbitrary number of analog-to-digital units. In other embodiments, a set of analog-to-digital units may be configured to each operate on either of two or more different analog storage planes.

[0481] In one embodiment, a combined image 1520 comprises a combination of at least two related digital images. In one embodiment, the combined image 1020 comprises, without limitation, a combined rendering of at least two digital images, such as two or more of the digital images of an image stack 19-732(0) and an image stack 19-732(1) of FIG. 19-4. In another embodiment, the digital images used to compute the combined image 1520 may be generated by amplifying each of a first analog signal and a second analog signal with at least two different gains, where each analog signal includes optical scene information captured based on an optical image focused on an image sensor. In yet another embodiment, each analog signal may be amplified using the at least two different gains on a pixel-by-pixel, line-by-line, or frame-by-frame basis.

[0482] In other embodiments, in addition to the indication point 1540-B, there may exist a plurality of additional indication points along the track 1532 between the indication points 1540-A and 1540-C. The additional indication points may be associated with additional digital images. For example, a first image stack 19-732 may be generated to include each of a digital image at EV-1 exposure, a digital image at EV0 exposure, and a digital image at EV+1 exposure. Said image stack 19-732 may be associated with a first analog storage plane captured at a first exposure time, such as the image stack 19-732(0) of FIG. 19-4. Thus, a first image stack may include a plurality of digital images all associated with a first exposure time, where each digital image is associated with a different ISO. Further, a second image stack 19-732 may also be generated to include each of a digital image at EV-1 exposure, a digital image at EV0 exposure, and a digital image at EV+1 exposure. However, the second image stack 19-732 may be associated with a second analog storage plane captured at a second exposure time different than the first exposure time, such as the image stack 19-732(1) of FIG. 19-4. Thus, a second image stack may include a second plurality of digital images all associated with a second exposure time, where each digital image is associated with a different ISO. After analog-to-digital units 19-722(0) and 19-722(1) generate the respective image stacks 19-732, the digital pixel data output by the analog-to-digital units 19-722(0) and 19-722(1) may be arranged together into a single sequence of digital images of increasing or decreasing exposure. In the context of the instant description, no two digital signals of the two image stacks may be associated with a same ISO+exposure time combination, thus each digital image or instance of digital pixel data may be considered as having a unique effective exposure.

[0483] In the context of the foregoing figures, arranging the digital images or instances of digital pixel data output by the analog-to-digital units 19-722(0) and 19-722(1) into a single sequence of digital images of increasing or decreasing exposure may be performed according to overall exposure. For example, the single sequence of digital images may combine gain and exposure time to determine an effective exposure. The digital pixel data may be rapidly organized to obtain a single sequence of digital images of increasing effective exposure, such as, for example: 19-723(0), 19-723(1), 19-724(0), 19-724(1), 19-725(0), and 19-725(1). Of course, any sorting of the digital images or digital pixel data based on effective exposure level will depend on an order of application of the gains and generation of the digital signals 19-723-725.

[0484] In one embodiment, exposure times and gains may be selected or predetermined for generating a number of adequately different effective exposures. For example, where three gains are to be applied, then each gain may be selected to be two exposure stops away from a nearest selected gain. Further, where multiple exposure times are to be used, then a first exposure time may be selected to be one exposure stop away from a second exposure time. In such an embodiment, selection of three gains separated two exposure stops, and two exposure times separated by one exposure stop, may ensure generation of six digital images, each having a unique effective exposure.

[0485] With continuing reference to the digital images of multiple image stacks sorted in a sequence of increasing exposure, each of the digital images may then be associated with indication points along the track 1532 of the UI system 1500. For example, the digital images may be sorted or sequenced along the track 1532 in the order of increasing effective exposure noted previously: 19-723(0), 19-723(1), 19-724(0), 19-724(1), 19-725(0), and 19-725(1). In such an embodiment, the slider control 1530 may then be positioned at any point along the track 1532 that is between two digital images generated based on two different analog storage planes. As a result, two digital images generated based on two different analog storage planes may then be blended to generate a combined image 1520.

[0486] For example, the slider control 1530 may be positioned at an indication point that may be equally associated with digital pixel data 19-724(0) and digital pixel data 19-724(1). As a result, the digital pixel data 19-724(0), which may include a first digital image generated from a first analog signal captured during a first sample time and amplified utilizing a gain, may be blended with the digital pixel data 19-724(1), which may include a second digital image generated from a second analog signal captured during a second sample time and amplified utilizing the same gain, to generate a combined image 1520.

[0487] Still further, as another example, the slider control 1530 may be positioned at an indication point that may be equally associated with digital pixel data 19-724(1) and digital pixel data 19-725(0). As a result, the digital pixel data 19-724(1), which may include a first digital image generated from a first analog signal captured during a first sample time and amplified utilizing a first gain, may be blended with the digital pixel data 19-725(0), which may include a second digital image generated from a second analog signal captured during a second sample time and amplified utilizing a different gain, to generate a combined image 1520.

[0488] Thus, as a result of the slider control 1530 positioning, two or more digital signals may be blended, and the blended digital signals may be generated utilizing analog values from different analog storage planes. As a further benefit of sorting effective exposures along a slider, and then allowing blend operations based on slider control position, each pair of neighboring digital images may include a higher noise digital image and a lower noise digital image. For example, where two neighboring digital signals are amplified utilizing a same gain, the digital signal generated from an analog signal captured with a lower sample time may have less noise. Similarly, where two neighboring digital signals are amplified utilizing different gains, the digital signal generated from an analog signal amplified with a lower gain value may have less noise. Thus, when digital signals are sorted based on effective exposure along a slider, a blend operation of two or more digital signals may serve to reduce the noise apparent in at least one of the digital signals.

[0489] Of course, any two or more effective exposures may be blended based on the indication point of the slider control 1530 to generate a combined image 1520 in the UI system 1500.

[0490] One advantage of the present invention is that a digital photograph may be selectively generated based on user input using two or more different images generated from a single exposure of a photographic scene. Accordingly, the digital photograph generated based on the user input may have a greater dynamic range than any of the individual images. Further, the generation of an HDR image using two or more different images with zero, or near zero, interframe time allows for the rapid generation of HDR images without motion artifacts.

[0491] Additionally, when there is any motion within a photographic scene, or a capturing device experiences any jitter during capture, any interframe time between exposures may result in a motion blur within a final merged HDR photograph. Such blur can be significantly exaggerated as interframe time increases. This problem renders current HDR photography an ineffective solution for capturing clear images in any circumstance other than a highly static scene.

[0492] Further, traditional techniques for generating a HDR photograph involve significant computational resources, as well as produce artifacts which reduce the image quality of the resulting image. Accordingly, strictly as an option, one or more of the above issues may or may not be addressed utilizing one or more of the techniques disclosed herein.

[0493] Still yet, in various embodiments, one or more of the techniques disclosed herein may be applied to a variety of markets and/or products. For example, although the techniques have been disclosed in reference to a photo capture, they may be applied to televisions, web conferencing (or live streaming capabilities, etc.), security cameras (e.g. increase contrast to determine characteristic, etc.), automobiles (e.g. driver assist systems, in-car infotainment systems, etc.), and/or any other product which includes a camera input.

[0494] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0495] FIG. 20-1 illustrates a system 20-100 for capturing flash and ambient illuminated images, in accordance with one possible embodiment. As an option, the system 20-100 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 20-100 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0496] As shown in FIG. 20-1, the system 20-100 includes a first input 20-102 that is provided to an ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) based on a photodiode 20-101, and a second input 20-104 provided to a flash sample storage node 20-133(1) based on the photodiode 20-101. Based on the input 20-102 to the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) and the input 20-104 to the flash sample storage node 20-133(1), an ambient sample is stored to the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) sequentially, at least in part, with storage of a flash sample to the flash sample storage node 20-133(1). In one embodiment, simultaneous storage of the ambient sample and the flash sample includes storing the ambient sample and the second sample at least partially sequentially.

[0497] In one embodiment, the input 20-104 may be provided to the flash sample storage node 20-133(1) after the input 20-102 is provided to the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0). In such an embodiment, the process of storing the flash sample may occur after the process of storing the ambient sample. In other words, storing the ambient sample may occur during a first time duration, and storing the flash sample may occur during a second time duration that begins after the first time duration. The second time duration may begin nearly simultaneously with the conclusion of the first time duration.

[0498] While the following discussion describes an image sensor apparatus and method for simultaneously capturing multiple images using one or more photodiodes of an image sensor, any photo-sensing electrical element or photosensor may be used or implemented.

[0499] In one embodiment, the photodiode 20-101 may comprise any semiconductor diode that generates a potential difference, current, or changes its electrical resistance, in response to photon absorption. Accordingly, the photodiode 20-101 may be used to detect or measure a light intensity. Further, the input 20-102 and the input 20-104 received at sample storage nodes 20-133(0) and 20-133(1), respectively, may be based on the light intensity detected or measured by the photodiode 20-101. In such an embodiment, the ambient sample stored at the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) may be based on a first exposure time to light at the photodiode 20-101, and the second sample stored at the flash sample storage node 20-133(1) may be based on a second exposure time to the light at the photodiode 20-101. The second exposure time may begin concurrently, or near concurrently, with the conclusion of the conclusion of the first exposure time.

[0500] In one embodiment, a rapid rise in scene illumination may occur after completion of the first exposure time, and during the second exposure time while input 20-104 is being received at the flash sample storage node 20-133(1). The rapid rise in scene illumination may be due to activation of a flash or strobe, or any other near instantaneous illumination. As a result of the rapid rise in scene illumination after the first exposure time, the light intensity detected or measured by the photodiode 20-101 during the second exposure time may be greater than the light intensity detected or measured by the photodiode 20-101 during the first exposure time. Accordingly, the second exposure time may be configured or selected based on an anticipated light intensity.

[0501] In one embodiment, the first input 20-102 may include an electrical signal from the photodiode 20-101 that is received at the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0), and the second input 20-104 may include an electrical signal from the photodiode 20-101 that is received at the flash sample storage node 20-133(1). For example, the first input 20-102 may include a current that is received at the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0), and the second input 20-104 may include a current that is received at the flash sample storage node 20-133(1). In another embodiment, the first input 20-102 and the second input 20-104 may be transmitted, at least partially, on a shared electrical interconnect. In other embodiments, the first input 20-102 and the second input 20-104 may be transmitted on different electrical interconnects. In some embodiments, the input 20-102 may include a first current, and the input 20-104 may include a second current that is different than the first current. The first current and the second current may each be a function of incident light intensity measured or detected by the photodiode 20-101. In yet other embodiments, the first input 20-102 may include any input from which the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) may be operative to store an ambient sample, and the second input 20-104 may include any input from which the flash sample storage node 20-133(1) may be operative to store a flash sample.

[0502] In one embodiment, the first input 20-102 and the second input 20-104 may include an electronic representation of a portion of an optical image that has been focused on an image sensor that includes the photodiode 20-101. In such an embodiment, the optical image may be focused on the image sensor by a lens. The electronic representation of the optical image may comprise spatial color intensity information, which may include different color intensity samples (e.g. red, green, and blue light, etc.). In other embodiments, the spatial color intensity information may also include samples for white light. In one embodiment, the optical image may be an optical image of a photographic scene. In some embodiments, the photodiode 20-101 may be a single photodiode of an array of photodiodes of an image sensor. Such an image sensor may comprise a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or any other technically feasible form of image sensor. In other embodiments, photodiode 20-101 may include two or more photodiodes.

[0503] In one embodiment, each sample storage node 20-133 includes a charge storing device for storing a sample, and the stored sample may be a function of a light intensity detected at the photodiode 20-101. For example, each sample storage node 20-133 may include a capacitor for storing a charge as a sample. In such an embodiment, each capacitor stores a charge that corresponds to an accumulated exposure during an exposure time or sample time. For example, current received at each capacitor from an associated photodiode may cause the capacitor, which has been previously charged, to discharge at a rate that is proportional to an incident light intensity detected at the photodiode. The remaining charge of each capacitor may be subsequently output from the capacitor as a value. For example, the remaining charge of each capacitor may be output as an analog value that is a function of the remaining charge on the capacitor.

[0504] To this end, an analog value received from a capacitor may be a function of an accumulated intensity of light detected at an associated photodiode. In some embodiments, each sample storage node 20-133 may include circuitry operable for receiving input based on a photodiode. For example, such circuitry may include one or more transistors. The one or more transistors may be configured for rendering the sample storage node 20-133 responsive to various control signals, such as sample, reset, and row select signals received from one or more controlling devices or components. In other embodiments, each sample storage node 20-133 may include any device for storing any sample or value that is a function of a light intensity detected at the photodiode 20-101.

[0505] Further, as shown in FIG. 20-1, the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) outputs first value 20-106, and the flash sample storage node 20-133(1) outputs second value 20-108. In one embodiment, the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) outputs the first value 20-106 based on the ambient sample stored at the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0), and the flash sample storage node 20-133(1) outputs the second value 20-108 based on the flash sample stored at the flash sample storage node 20-133(1). An ambient sample may include any value stored at an ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) due to input 20-102 from the photodiode 20-101 during an exposure time in which the photodiode 20-101 measures or detects ambient light. A flash sample may include any value stored at a flash storage node 20-133(1) due to input 20-104 from the photodiode 20-101 during an exposure time in which the photodiode 20-101 measures or detects flash or strobe illumination.

[0506] In some embodiments, the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0) outputs the first value 20-106 based on a charge stored at the ambient sample storage node 20-133(0), and the flash sample storage node 20-133(1) outputs the second value 20-108 based on a second charge stored at the flash sample storage node 20-133(1). The first value 20-106 may be output serially with the second value 20-108, such that one value is output prior to the other value; or the first value 20-106 may be output in parallel with the output of the second value 20-108. In various embodiments, the first value 20-106 may include a first analog value, and the second value 20-108 may include a second analog value. Each of these values may include a current, which may be output for inclusion in an analog signal that includes at least one analog value associated with each photodiode of a photodiode array. In such embodiments, the first analog value 20-106 may be included in an ambient analog signal, and the second analog value 20-108 may be included in a flash analog signal that is different than the ambient analog signal. In other words, an ambient analog signal may be generated to include an analog value associated with each photodiode of a photodiode array, and a flash analog signal may also be generated to include a different analog value associated with each of the photodiodes of the photodiode array. In such an embodiment, the analog values of the ambient analog signal would be sampled during a first exposure time in which the associated photodiodes were exposed to ambient light, and the analog values of the flash analog signal would be sampled during a second exposure time in which the associated photodiode were exposed to strobe or flash illumination.

[0507] To this end, a single photodiode array may be utilized to generate a plurality of analog signals. The plurality of analog signals may be generated concurrently or in parallel. Further, the plurality of analog signals may each be amplified utilizing two or more gains, and each amplified analog signal may converted to one or more digital signals such that two or more digital signals may be generated, where each digital signal may include a digital image. Accordingly, due to the contemporaneous storage of the ambient sample and the flash sample, a single photodiode array may be utilized to concurrently generate multiple digital signals or digital images, where at least one of the digital signals is associated with an ambient exposure photographic scene, and at least one of the digital signals is associated with a flash or strobe illuminated exposure of the same photographic scene. In such an embodiment, multiple digital signals having different exposure characteristics may be substantially simultaneously generated for a single photographic scene captured at ambient illumination. Such a collection of digital signals or digital images may be referred to as an ambient image stack. Further, multiple digital signals having different exposure characteristics may be substantially simultaneously generated for the single photographic scene captured with strobe or flash illumination. Such a collection of digital signals or digital images may be referred to as a flash image stack.

[0508] In certain embodiments, an analog signal comprises a plurality of distinct analog signals, and a signal amplifier comprises a corresponding set of distinct signal amplifier circuits. For example, each pixel within a row of pixels of an image sensor may have an associated distinct analog signal within an analog signal, and each distinct analog signal may have a corresponding distinct signal amplifier circuit. Further, two or more amplified analog signals may each include gain-adjusted analog pixel data representative of a common analog value from at least one pixel of an image sensor. For example, for a given pixel of an image sensor, a given analog value may be output in an analog signal, and then, after signal amplification operations, the given analog value is represented by a first amplified value in a first amplified analog signal, and by a second amplified value in a second amplified analog signal. Analog pixel data may be analog signal values associated with one or more given pixels.

[0509] In various embodiments, the digital images of the ambient image stack and the flash image stack may be combined or blended to generate one or more new blended images having a greater dynamic range than any of the individual images. Further, the digital images of the ambient image stack and the flash image stack may be combined or blended for controlling a flash contribution in the one or more new blended images.

[0510] FIG. 20-2 illustrates a method 20-200 for capturing flash and ambient illuminated images, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the method 20-200 may be carried out in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the method 20-200 may be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0511] As shown in operation 20-202, an ambient sample is stored based on an electrical signal from a photodiode of an image sensor. Further, sequentially, at least in part, with the storage of the ambient sample, a flash sample is stored based on the electrical signal from the photodiode of the image sensor at operation 20-204. As noted above, the photodiode of the image sensor may comprise any semiconductor diode that generates a potential difference, or changes its electrical resistance, in response to photon absorption. Accordingly, the photodiode may be used to detect or measure light intensity, and the electrical signal from the photodiode may include a photodiode current that varies as a function of the light intensity.

[0512] In some embodiments, each sample may include an electronic representation of a portion of an optical image that has been focused on an image sensor that includes the photodiode. In such an embodiment, the optical image may be focused on the image sensor by a lens. The electronic representation of the optical image may comprise spatial color intensity information, which may include different color intensity samples (e.g. red, green, and blue light, etc.). In other embodiments, the spatial color intensity information may also include samples for white light. In one embodiment, the optical image may be an optical image of a photographic scene. The photodiode may be a single photodiode of an array of photodiodes of the image sensor. Such an image sensor may comprise a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or any other technically feasible form of image sensor.

[0513] In the context of one embodiment, each of the samples may be stored by storing energy. For example, each of the samples may include a charged stored on a capacitor. In such an embodiment, the ambient sample may include a first charge stored at a first capacitor, and the flash sample may include a second charge stored at a second capacitor. In one embodiment, the ambient sample may be different than the flash sample. For example, the ambient sample may include a first charge stored at a first capacitor, and the flash sample may include a second charge stored at a second capacitor that is different than the first charge.

[0514] In one embodiment, the ambient sample may be different than the flash sample due to being sampled at different sample times. For example, the ambient sample may be stored by charging or discharging a first capacitor during a first sample time, and the flash sample may be stored by charging or discharging a second capacitor during a second sample time, where the first capacitor and the second capacitor may be substantially identical and charged or discharged at a substantially identical rate for a given photodiode current. The second sample time may be contemporaneously, or near contemporaneously, with a conclusion of the first sample time, such that the second capacitor may be charged or discharged after the charging or discharging of the first capacitor has completed.

[0515] In another embodiment, the ambient sample may be different than the flash sample due to, at least partially, different storage characteristics. For example, the ambient sample may be stored by charging or discharging a first capacitor for a period of time, and the flash sample may be stored by charging or discharging a second capacitor for the same period of time, where the first capacitor and the second capacitor may have different storage characteristics and/or be charged or discharged at different rates. More specifically, the first capacitor may have a different capacitance than the second capacitor.

[0516] In another embodiment, the ambient sample may be different than the flash sample due to a flash or strobe illumination that occurs during the second exposure time, and that provides different illumination characteristics than the ambient illumination of the first exposure time. For example, the ambient sample may be stored by charging or discharging a first capacitor for a period of time of ambient illumination, and the flash sample may be stored by charging or discharging a second capacitor for a period of time of flash illumination. Due to the differences in illumination between the first exposure time and the second exposure time, the second capacitor may be charged or discharged faster than the first capacitor due to the increased light intensity associated with the flash illumination of the second exposure time.

[0517] Additionally, as shown at operation 20-206, after storage of the ambient sample and the flash sample, a first value is output based on the ambient sample, and a second value is output based on the flash sample, for generating at least one image. In the context of one embodiment, the first value and the second value are transmitted or output in sequence. For example, the first value may be transmitted prior to the second value. In another embodiment, the first value and the second value may be transmitted in parallel.

[0518] In one embodiment, each output value may comprise an analog value. For example, each output value may include a current representative of the associated stored sample, such as an ambient sample or a flash sample. More specifically, the first value may include a current value representative of the stored ambient sample, and the second value may include a current value representative of the stored flash sample. In one embodiment, the first value is output for inclusion in an ambient analog signal, and the second value is output for inclusion in a flash analog signal different than the ambient analog signal. Further, each value may be output in a manner such that it is combined with other values output based on other stored samples, where the other stored samples are stored responsive to other electrical signals received from other photodiodes of an image sensor. For example, the first value may be combined in an ambient analog signal with values output based on other ambient samples, where the other ambient samples were stored based on electrical signals received from photodiodes that neighbor the photodiode from which the electrical signal utilized for storing the ambient sample was received. Similarly, the second value may be combined in a flash analog signal with values output based on other flash samples, where the other flash samples were stored based on electrical signals received from the same photodiodes that neighbor the photodiode from which the electrical signal utilized for storing the flash sample was received.

[0519] Finally, at operation 20-208, at least one of the first value and the second value are amplified utilizing two or more gains. In one embodiment, where each output value comprises an analog value, amplifying at least one of the first value and the second value may result in at least two amplified analog values. In another embodiment, where the first value is output for inclusion in an ambient analog signal, and the second value is output for inclusion in a flash analog signal different than the ambient analog signal, one of the ambient analog signal or the flash analog signal may be amplified utilizing two or more gains each. For example, an ambient analog signal that includes the first value may be amplified with a first gain and a second gain, such that the first value is amplified with the first gain and the second gain. Amplifying the ambient analog signal with the first gain may result in a first amplified ambient analog signal, and amplifying the ambient analog signal with the second gain may result in a second amplified ambient analog signal. Of course, more than two analog signals may be amplified using two or more gains. In one embodiment, each amplified analog signal may be converted to a digital signal comprising a digital image.

[0520] To this end, an array of photodiodes may be utilized to generate an ambient analog signal based on a set of ambient samples captured at a first exposure time or sample time and illuminated with ambient light, and a flash analog signal based on a set of flash samples captured at a second exposure time or sample time and illuminated with flash or strobe illumination, where the set of ambient samples and the set of flash samples may be two different sets of samples of the same photographic scene. Further, each analog signal may include an analog value generated based on each photodiode of each pixel of an image sensor. Each analog value may be representative of a light intensity measured at the photodiode associated with the analog value. Accordingly, an analog signal may be a set of spatially discrete intensity samples, each represented by continuous analog values, and analog pixel data may be analog signal values associated with one or more given pixels. Still further, each analog signal may undergo subsequent processing, such as amplification, which may facilitate conversion of the analog signal into one or more digital signals, each including digital pixel data, which may each comprise a digital image.

[0521] The embodiments disclosed herein may advantageously enable a camera module to sample images comprising an image stack with lower (e.g. at or near zero, etc.) inter-sample time (e.g. interframe, etc.) than conventional techniques. In certain embodiments, images comprising an analog image stack or a flash image stack are effectively sampled or captured simultaneously, or near simultaneously, which may reduce inter-sample time to zero. In other embodiments, the camera module may sample images in coordination with the strobe unit to reduce inter-sample time between an image sampled without strobe illumination and an image sampled with strobe illumination.

[0522] More illustrative information will now be set forth regarding various optional architectures and uses in which the foregoing method may or may not be implemented, per the desires of the user. It should be strongly noted that the following information is set forth for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in any manner. Any of the following features may be optionally incorporated with or without the exclusion of other features described.

[0523] In one embodiment, the first exposure time and the second exposure time do not overlap in time. For example, a controller may be configured to control the second exposure time such that it begins contemporaneously, or near contemporaneously, with a conclusion of the first exposure time. In such an embodiment, the sample signal 19-618(1) may be activated as the sample signal 19-618(0) is deactivated.

[0524] As a benefit of having two different exposure conditions, in situations where a photodiode 19-602 is exposed to a sufficient threshold of incident light 19-601, a first capacitor 19-604(0) may provide an analog value suitable for generating a digital image, and a second capacitor 19-604(1) of the same cell 19-600 may provide a “blown out” or over exposed image portion due to excessive flash illumination. Thus, for each cell 19-600, a first capacitor 19-604 may more effectively capture darker image content than another capacitor 19-604 of the same cell 19-600. This may be useful, for example, in situations where strobe or flash illumination over-exposes foreground objects in a digital image ofa photographic scene, or under-exposes background objects in the digital image of the photographic scene. In such an example, an image captured during another exposure time utilizing ambient illumination may help correct any over-exposed or under-exposed objects. Similarly, in situations where ambient light is unable to sufficiently illuminate particular elements of a photographic scene, and these elements appear dark or difficult to see in an associated digital image, an image captured during another exposure time utilizing strobe or flash illumination may help correct any under-exposed portions of the image.

[0525] In various embodiments, capacitor 19-604(0) may be substantially identical to capacitor 19-604(1). For example, the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may have substantially identical capacitance values. In one embodiment, a sample signal 19-618 of one of the analog sampling circuits may be activated for a longer or shorter period of time than a sample signal 19-618 is activated for any other analog sampling circuits 19-603.

[0526] As noted above, the sample signal 19-618(0) of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) may be activated for a first exposure time, and a sample signal 19-618(1) of the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) may be activated for a second exposure time. In one embodiment, the first exposure time and/or the second exposure time may be determined based on an exposure setting selected by a user, by software, or by some combination of user and software. For example, the first exposure time may be selected based on a 1/60 second shutter time selected by a user of a camera. In response, the second exposure time may be selected based on the first exposure time. In one embodiment, the user's selected 1/60 second shutter time may be selected for an ambient image, and a metering algorithm may then evaluate the photographic scene to determine an optimal second exposure time for a flash or strobe capture. The second exposure time for the flash or strobe capture may be selected based on incident light metered during the evaluation of the photographic scene. Of course, in other embodiments, a user selection may be used to select the second exposure time, and then the first exposure time for an ambient capture may be selected according to the selected second exposure time. In yet other embodiments, the first exposure time may be selected independent of the second exposure time.

[0527] In other embodiments, the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may have different capacitance values. In one embodiment, the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may have different capacitance values for the purpose of rendering one of the analog sampling circuits 19-603 more or less sensitive to the current I_PD from the photodiode 19-602 than other analog sampling circuits 19-603 of the same cell 19-600. For example, a capacitor 19-604 with a significantly larger capacitance than other capacitors 19-604 of the same cell 19-600 may be less likely to fully discharge when capturing photographic scenes having significant amounts of incident light 19-601. In such embodiments, any difference in stored voltages or samples between the capacitors 19-604(0) and 19-604(1) may be a function of the different capacitance values, in conjunction with different activation times of the sample signals 19-618 and different incident light measurements during the respective exposure times.

[0528] In one embodiment, the photosensitive cell 19-600 may be configured such that the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) share at least one shared component. In various embodiments, the at least one shared component may include a photodiode 19-602 of an image sensor. In other embodiments, the at least one shared component may include a reset, such that the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) may be reset concurrently utilizing the shared reset. In the context of FIG. 19-3, the photosensitive cell 19-600 may include a shared reset between the analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) and 19-603(1). For example, reset 19-616(0) may be coupled to reset 19-616(1), and both may be asserted together such that the reset 19-616(0) is the same signal as the reset 19-616(1), which may be used to simultaneously reset both of the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1). After reset, the first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1) may be asserted to sample independently.

[0529] To this end, the photosensitive cell 19-600 may be utilized to simultaneously store both of an ambient sample and a flash sample based on the incident light 19-601. Specifically, the ambient sample may be captured and stored on a first capacitor during a first exposure time, and the flash sample may be captured and stored on a second capacitor during a second exposure time. Further, during this second exposure time, a strobe may be activated for temporarily increasing illumination of a photographic scene, and increasing the incident light measured at one or more photodiodes of an image sensor during the second exposure time.

[0530] In one embodiment, a unique instance of analog pixel data 18-621 may include, as an ordered set of individual analog values, all analog values output from all corresponding analog sampling circuits or sample storage nodes. For example, in the context of the foregoing figures, each cell of cells 18-542-18-545 of a plurality of pixels 18-540 of a pixel array 18-510 may include both a first analog sampling circuit 18-603(0) and a second analog sampling circuit 18-603(1). Thus, the pixel array 18-510 may include a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 18-603(0) and also include a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 18-603(1). In other words, the pixel array 18-510 may include a first analog sampling circuit 18-603(0) for each cell, and also include a second analog sampling circuit 18-603(1) for each cell. In an embodiment, a first instance of analog pixel data 18-621 may be received containing a discrete analog value from each analog sampling circuit of a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 18-603(0), and a second instance of analog pixel data 18-621 may be received containing a discrete analog value from each analog sampling circuit of a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 18-603(1). Thus, in embodiments where cells of a pixel array include two or more analog sampling circuits, the pixel array may output two or more discrete analog signals, where each analog signal includes a unique instance of analog pixel data 18-621.

[0531] Further, each of the first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) may sample a photodiode current during a first exposure time, during which a photographic scene is illuminated with ambient light; and each of the second sampling circuits 19-603(1) may sample the photodiode current during a second exposure time, during which the photographic scene is illuminated with a strobe or flash. Accordingly, a first analog signal, or ambient analog signal, may include analog values representative of the photographic scene when illuminated with ambient light; and a second analog signal, or flash analog signal, may include analog values representative of the photographic scene when illuminated with the strobe or flash.

[0532] In some embodiments, only a subset of the cells of a pixel array may include two or more analog sampling circuits. For example, not every cell may include both a first analog sampling circuit 19-603(0) and a second analog sampling circuit 19-603(1).

[0533] FIG. 20-3 illustrates a system 20-700 for converting analog pixel data of an analog signal to digital pixel data, in accordance with an embodiment. As an option, the system 20-700 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 20-700 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0534] The system 20-700 is shown in FIG. 20-3 to include a first analog storage plane 20-702(0), a first analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0), and an ambient digital image stack 20-732(0), and is shown to further include a second analog storage plane 20-702(1), a second analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1), and a flash digital image stack 20-732(1). Accordingly, the system 20-700 is shown to include at least two analog storage planes 20-702(0) and 20-702(1). As illustrated in FIG. 20-3, a plurality of analog values are each depicted as a “V” within each of the analog storage planes 20-702, and corresponding digital values are each depicted as a “D” within digital images of each of the image stacks 20-732. In one embodiment, all of the analog values of the first analog storage plane 20-702(0) are captured during a first exposure time, during which a photographic scene was illuminated with ambient light; and all of the analog values of the second analog storage plane 20-702(1) are captured during a second exposure time, during which the photographic scene was illuminated using a strobe or flash.

[0535] In the context of certain embodiments, each analog storage plane 20-702 may comprise any collection of one or more analog values. In some embodiments, each analog storage plane 20-702 may comprise at least one analog pixel value for each pixel of a row or line of a pixel array. Still yet, in another embodiment, each analog storage plane 20-702 may comprise at least one analog pixel value for each pixel of an entirety of a pixel array, which may be referred to as a frame. For example, each analog storage plane 20-702 may comprise an analog pixel value, or more generally, an analog value for each cell of each pixel of every line or row of a pixel array.

[0536] Further, the analog values of each analog storage plane 20-702 are output as analog pixel data 20-704 to a corresponding analog-to-digital unit 20-722. For example, the analog values of analog storage plane 20-702(0) are output as analog pixel data 20-704(0) to analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0), and the analog values of analog storage plane 20-702(1) are output as analog pixel data 20-704(1) to analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1). In one embodiment, each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 may be substantially identical to the analog-to-digital unit 18-622 described within the context of FIG. 18-4. For example, each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 may comprise at least one amplifier and at least one analog-to-digital converter, where the amplifier is operative to receive a gain value and utilize the gain value to gain-adjust analog pixel data received at the analog-to-digital unit 20-722. Further, in such an embodiment, the amplifier may transmit gain-adjusted analog pixel data to an analog-to-digital converter, which then generates digital pixel data from the gain-adjusted analog pixel data. To this end, an analog-to-digital conversion may be performed on the contents of each of two or more different analog storage planes 20-702.

[0537] In the context of the system 20-700 of FIG. 20-3, each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 receives corresponding analog pixel data 20-704, and applies at least two different gains to the received analog pixel data 20-704 to generate at least a first gain-adjusted analog pixel data and a second gain-adjusted analog pixel data. For example, the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) receives analog pixel data 20-704(0), and applies at least two different gains to the analog pixel data 20-704(0) to generate at least a first gain-adjusted analog pixel data and a second gain-adjusted analog pixel data based on the analog pixel data 20-704(0); and the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) receives analog pixel data 20-704(1), and applies at least two different gains to the analog pixel data 20-704(1) to generate at least a first gain-adjusted analog pixel data and a second gain-adjusted analog pixel data based on the analog pixel data 20-704(1).

[0538] Further, each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 converts each generated gain-adjusted analog pixel data to digital pixel data, and then outputs at least two digital outputs. In one embodiment, each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 provides a different digital output corresponding to each gain applied to the received analog pixel data 20-704. With respect to FIG. 20-3 specifically, the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) is shown to generate a first digital signal comprising first digital pixel data 20-723(0) corresponding to a first gain (Gain1), a second digital signal comprising second digital pixel data 20-724(0) corresponding to a second gain (Gain2), and a third digital signal comprising third digital pixel data 20-725(0) corresponding to a third gain (Gain3). Similarly, the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) is shown to generate a first digital signal comprising first digital pixel data 20-723(1) corresponding to a first gain (Gain1), a second digital signal comprising second digital pixel data 20-724(1) corresponding to a second gain (Gain2), and a third digital signal comprising third digital pixel data 20-725(1) corresponding to a third gain (Gain3). Each instance of each digital pixel data may comprise a digital image, such that each digital signal comprises a digital image.

[0539] Accordingly, as a result of the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) applying each of Gain1, Gain2, and Gain3 to the analog pixel data 20-704(0), and thereby generating first digital pixel data 20-723(0), second digital pixel data 20-724(0), and third digital pixel data 20-725(0), the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) generates a stack of digital images, also referred to as an ambient image stack 20-732(0). Similarly, as a result of the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) applying each of Gain1, Gain2, and Gain3 to the analog pixel data 20-704(1), and thereby generating first digital pixel data 20-723(1), second digital pixel data 20-724(1), and third digital pixel data 20-725(1), the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) generates a second stack of digital images, also referred to as a flash image stack 20-732(1). Each of the digital images of the ambient image stack 20-732(0) may be a digital image of the photographic scene captured with ambient illumination during a first exposure time. Each of the digital images of the flash image stack 20-732(1) may be a digital image of the photographic scene captured with strobe or flash illumination during a second exposure time.

[0540] In one embodiment, each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 applies in sequence at least two gains to the analog values. For example, within the context of FIG. 20-3, the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) first applies Gain1 to the analog pixel data 20-704(0), then subsequently applies Gain2 to the same analog pixel data 20-704(0), and then subsequently applies Gain3 to the same analog pixel data 20-704(0). In other embodiments, each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 may apply in parallel at least two gains to the analog values. For example, an analog-to-digital unit may apply Gain1 to received analog pixel data in parallel with application of Gain2 and Gain3 to the analog pixel data. To this end, each instance of analog pixel data 20-704 is amplified utilizing at least two gains.

[0541] In one embodiment, the gains applied to the analog pixel data 20-704(0) at the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) may be the same as the gains applied to the analog pixel data 20-704(1) at the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1). By way of a specific example, the Gain1 applied by both of the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) and the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) may be a gain of 1.0, the Gain2 applied by both of the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) and the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) may be a gain of 2.0, and the Gain3 applied by both of the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) and the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) may be a gain of 4.0. In another embodiment, one or more of the gains applied to the analog pixel data 20-704(0) at the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) may be different from the gains applied to the analog pixel data 20-704(1) at the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1). For example, the Gain1 applied at the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(0) may be a gain of 1.0, and the Gain1 applied at the analog-to-digital unit 20-722(1) may be a gain of 2.0. Accordingly, the gains applied at each analog-to-digital unit 20-722 may be selected dependently or independently of the gains applied at other analog-to-digital units 20-722 within system 20-700.

[0542] In accordance with one embodiment, the at least two gains may be determined using any technically feasible technique based on an exposure of a photographic scene, metering data, user input, detected ambient light, a strobe control, or any combination of the foregoing. For example, a first gain of the at least two gains may be determined such that half of the digital values from an analog storage plane 20-702 are converted to digital values above a specified threshold (e.g., a threshold of 0.5 in a range of 0.0 to 1.0) for the dynamic range associated with digital values comprising a first digital image of an image stack 20-732, which can be characterized as having an “EV0” exposure. Continuing the example, a second gain of the at least two gains may be determined as being twice that of the first gain to generate a second digital image of the image stack 20-732 characterized as having an “EV+1” exposure. Further still, a third gain of the at least two gains may be determined as being half that of the first gain to generate a third digital image of the image stack 20-732 characterized as having an “EV-1” exposure.

[0543] In one embodiment, an analog-to-digital unit 20-722 converts in sequence a first instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the first digital pixel data 20-723, a second instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the second digital pixel data 20-724, and a third instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to the third digital pixel data 20-725. For example, an analog-to-digital unit 20-722 may first convert a first instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to first digital pixel data 20-723, then subsequently convert a second instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to second digital pixel data 20-724, and then subsequently convert a third instance of the gain-adjusted analog pixel data to third digital pixel data 20-725. In other embodiments, an analog-to-digital unit 20-722 may perform such conversions in parallel, such that one or more of a first digital pixel data 20-723, a second digital pixel data 20-724, and a third digital pixel data 20-725 are generated in parallel.

[0544] Still further, as shown in FIG. 20-3, each first digital pixel data 20-723 provides a first digital image. Similarly, each second digital pixel data 20-724 provides a second digital image, and each third digital pixel data 20-725 provides a third digital image. Together, each set of digital images produced using the analog values of a single analog storage plane 20-702 comprises an image stack 20-732. For example, ambient image stack 20-732(0) comprises digital images produced using analog values of the analog storage plane 20-702(0), and flash image stack 20-732(1) comprises the digital images produced using the analog values of the analog storage plane 20-702(1). As noted previously, each of the digital images of the ambient image stack 20-732(0) may be a digital image of the photographic scene captured with ambient illumination during a first exposure time. Similarly, each of the digital images of the flash image stack 20-732(1) may be a digital image of the photographic scene captured with strobe or flash illumination during a second exposure time.

[0545] As illustrated in FIG. 20-3, all digital images of an image stack 20-732 may be based upon a same analog pixel data 20-704. However, each digital image of an image stack 20-732 may differ from other digital images in the image stack 20-732 as a function of a difference between the gains used to generate the two digital images. Specifically, a digital image generated using the largest gain of at least two gains may be visually perceived as the brightest or more exposed of the digital images of the image stack 20-732. Conversely, a digital image generated using the smallest gain of the at least two gains may be visually perceived as the darkest and less exposed than other digital images of the image stack 20-732. To this end, a first light sensitivity value may be associated with first digital pixel data 20-723, a second light sensitivity value may be associated with second digital pixel data 20-724, and a third light sensitivity value may be associated with third digital pixel data 20-725. Further, because each of the gains may be associated with a different light sensitivity value, a first digital image or first digital signal may be associated with a first light sensitivity value, a second digital image or second digital signal may be associated with a second light sensitivity value, and a third digital image or third digital signal may be associated with a third light sensitivity value. In one embodiment, one or more digital images of an image stack may be blended, resulting in a blended image associated with a blended light sensitivity.

[0546] It should be noted that while a controlled application of gain to the analog pixel data may greatly aid in HDR image generation, an application of too great of gain may result in a digital image that is visually perceived as being noisy, over-exposed, and/or blown-out. In one embodiment, application of two stops of gain to the analog pixel data may impart visually perceptible noise for darker portions of a photographic scene, and visually imperceptible noise for brighter portions of the photographic scene. In another embodiment, a digital photographic device may be configured to provide an analog storage plane for analog pixel data of a captured photographic scene, and then perform at least two analog-to-digital samplings of the same analog pixel data using an analog-to-digital unit 20-722. To this end, a digital image may be generated for each sampling of the at least two samplings, where each digital image is obtained at a different exposure despite all the digital images being generated from the same analog sampling of a single optical image focused on an image sensor.

[0547] In one embodiment, an initial exposure parameter may be selected by a user or by a metering algorithm of a digital photographic device. The initial exposure parameter may be selected based on user input or software selecting particular capture variables. Such capture variables may include, for example, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. An image sensor may then capture a photographic scene at the initial exposure parameter during a first exposure time, and populate a first analog storage plane with a first plurality of analog values corresponding to an optical image focused on the image sensor. Next, during a second exposure time, a second analog storage plane may be populated with a second plurality of analog values corresponding to the optical image focused on the image sensor. During the second exposure time, a strobe or flash unit may be utilized to illuminate at least a portion of the photographic scene. In the context of the foregoing Figures, a first analog storage plane 20-702(0) comprising a plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) may be populated with a plurality of analog values associated with an ambient capture, and a second analog storage plane 20-702(1) comprising a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1) may be populated with a plurality of analog values associated with a flash or strobe capture.

[0548] In other words, in an embodiment where each photosensitive cell includes two analog sampling circuits, then two analog storage planes may be configured such that a first of the analog storage planes stores a first analog value output from one of the analog sampling circuits of a cell, and a second of the analog storage planes stores a second analog value output from the other analog sampling circuit of the same cell.

[0549] Further, each of the analog storage planes may receive and store different analog values for a given pixel of the pixel array or image sensor. For example, an analog value received for a given pixel and stored in a first analog storage plane may be output based on an ambient sample captured during a first exposure time, and a corresponding analog value received for the given pixel and stored in a second analog storage plane may be output based on a flash sample captured during a second exposure time that is different than the first exposure time. Accordingly, in one embodiment, substantially all analog values stored in a first analog storage plane may be based on samples obtained during a first exposure time, and substantially all analog values stored in a second analog storage plane may be based on samples obtained during a second exposure time that is different than the first exposure time.

[0550] In the context of the present description, a “single exposure” of a photographic scene may include simultaneously, at least in part, storing analog values representative of the photographic scene using two or more sets of analog sampling circuits, where each set of analog sampling circuits may be configured to operate at different exposure times. During capture of the photographic scene using the two or more sets of analog sampling circuits, the photographic scene may be illuminated by ambient light during a first exposure time, and by a flash or strobe unit during a second exposure time. Further, after capturing the photographic scene using the two or more sets of analog sampling circuits, two or more analog storage planes (e.g., one storage plane for each set of analog sampling circuits) may be populated with analog values corresponding to an optical image focused on an image sensor. Next, one or more digital images of an ambient image stack may be obtained by applying one or more gains to the analog values of the first analog storage plane captured during the first exposure time, in accordance with the above systems and methods. Further, one or more digital images of a flash image stack may be obtained by applying one or more gains to the analog values of the second analog storage plane captured during the second exposure time, in accordance with the above systems and methods.

[0551] To this end, one or more image stacks 20-732 may be generated based on a single exposure of a photographic scene.

[0552] In one embodiment, a first digital image of an image stack 20-732 may be obtained utilizing a first gain in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, if a digital photographic device is configured such that initial exposure parameter includes a selection of ISO 400, the first gain utilized to obtain the first digital image may be mapped to, or otherwise associated with, ISO 400. This first digital image may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value 0 (EV0). Further one more digital images may be obtained utilizing a second gain in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, the same analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image may be processed utilizing a second gain to generate a second digital image. Still further, one or more digital images may be obtained utilizing a second analog storage plane in accordance with the above systems and methods. For example, second analog pixel data may be used to generate a second digital image, where the second analog pixel data is different from the analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image. Specifically, the analog pixel data used to generate the first digital image may have been captured during a first exposure time, and the second analog pixel data may have been captured during a second exposure time different than the first exposure time.

[0553] To this end, at least two digital images may be generated utilizing different analog pixel data, and then blended to generate an HDR image. The at least two digital images may be blended by blending a first digital signal and a second digital signal. Where the at least two digital images are generated using different analog pixel data captured during a single exposure of a photographic scene, then there may be approximately, or near, zero interframe time between the at least two digital images. As a result of having zero, or near zero, interframe time between at least two digital images of a same photographic scene, an HDR image may be generated, in one possible embodiment, without motion blur or other artifacts typical of HDR photographs.

[0554] In one embodiment, after selecting a first gain for generating a first digital image of an image stack 20-732, a second gain may be selected based on the first gain. For example, the second gain may be selected on the basis of it being one stop away from the first gain. More specifically, if the first gain is mapped to or associated with ISO 400, then one stop down from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 200, and one stop up from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 800. In such an embodiment, a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 200 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value −1 (EV-1), and a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 800 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value+1 (EV+1).

[0555] Still further, if a more significant difference in exposures is desired between digital images generated utilizing the same analog signal, then the second gain may be selected on the basis of it being two stops away from the first gain. For example, if the first gain is mapped to or associated with ISO 400, then two stops down from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 100, and two stops up from ISO 400 provides a gain associated with ISO 1600. In such an embodiment, a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 100 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value −2 (EV-2), and a digital image generated utilizing the gain associated with ISO 1600 may be referred to as an exposure or image obtained at exposure value+2 (EV+2).

[0556] In one embodiment, an ISO and exposure of the EV0 image may be selected according to a preference to generate darker digital images. In such an embodiment, the intention may be to avoid blowing out or overexposing what will be the brightest digital image, which is the digital image generated utilizing the greatest gain. In another embodiment, an EV-1 digital image or EV-2 digital image may be a first generated digital image. Subsequent to generating the EV-1 or EV-2 digital image, an increase in gain at an analog-to-digital unit may be utilized to generate an EV0 digital image, and then a second increase in gain at the analog-to-digital unit may be utilized to generate an EV+1 or EV+2 digital image. In one embodiment, the initial exposure parameter corresponds to an EV-N digital image and subsequent gains are used to obtain an EV0 digital image, an EV+M digital image, or any combination thereof, where N and M are values ranging from 0 to −10.

[0557] In one embodiment, three digital images having three different exposures (e.g. an EV-2 digital image, an EV0 digital image, and an EV+2 digital image) may be generated in parallel by implementing three analog-to-digital units. Each analog-to-digital unit may be configured to convert one or more analog signal values to corresponding digital signal values. Such an implementation may be also capable of simultaneously generating all of an EV-1 digital image, an EV0 digital image, and an EV+1 digital image. Similarly, in other embodiments, any combination of exposures may be generated in parallel from two or more analog-to-digital units, three or more analog-to-digital units, or an arbitrary number of analog-to-digital units. In other embodiments, a set of analog-to-digital units may be configured to each operate on either of two or more different analog storage planes.

[0558] In some embodiments, a set of gains may be selected for application to the analog pixel data 18-621 based on whether the analog pixel data is associated with an ambient capture or a flash capture. For example, if the analog pixel data 18-621 comprises a plurality of values from an analog storage plane associated with ambient sample storage, a first set of gains may be selected for amplifying the values of the analog storage plane associated with the ambient sample storage. Further, a second set of gains may be selected for amplifying values of an analog storage plane associated with the flash sample storage.

[0559] A plurality of first analog sampling circuits 19-603(0) may comprise the analog storage plane used for the ambient sample storage, and a plurality of second analog sampling circuits 19-603(1) may comprise the analog storage plane used for the flash sample storage. Either set of gains may be preselected based on exposure settings. For example, a first set of gains may be preselected for exposure settings associated with a flash capture, and a second set of gains may be preselected for exposure settings associated with an ambient capture. Each set of gains may be preselected based on any feasible exposure settings, such as, for example, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and exposure. One set of gains may include gain values that are greater than each of their counterparts in the other set of gains. For example, a first set of gains selected for application to each ambient sample may include gain values of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0, and a second set of gains selected for application to each flash sample may include gain values of 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0.

[0560] FIG. 20-4A illustrates a user interface (UI) system 20-1000 for generating a combined image 20-1020, according to one embodiment. As an option, the UI system 20-1000 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the UI system 20-1000 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0561] In one embodiment, a combined image 20-1020 comprises a combination of at least two related digital images. For example the combined image 20-1020 may comprise, without limitation, a combined rendering of at least two digital images, such as two or more of the digital images of an ambient image stack 20-732(0) and a flash image stack 20-732(1) of FIG. 20-3. In another embodiment, the digital images used to compute the combined image 20-1020 may be generated by amplifying each of an ambient analog signal and a flash analog signal with at least two different gains, where each analog signal includes optical scene information captured based on an optical image focused on an image sensor. In yet another embodiment, each analog signal may be amplified using the at least two different gains on a pixel-by-pixel, line-by-line, or frame-by-frame basis.

[0562] In one embodiment, the UI system 20-1000 presents a display image 20-1010 that includes, without limitation, a combined image 20-1020, and a control region 20-1025, which in FIG. 20-4A is shown to include a slider control 20-1030 configured to move along track 20-1032, and two or more indication points 20-1040, which may each include a visual marker displayed within display image 20-1010.

[0563] In one embodiment, the UI system 20-1000 is generated by an adjustment tool executing within a processor complex 310 of a digital photographic system 300, and the display image 20-1010 is displayed on display unit 312. In one embodiment, at least two digital images comprise source images for generating the combined image 20-1020. The at least two digital images may reside within NV memory 316, volatile memory 318, memory subsystem 362, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the UI system 20-1000 is generated by an adjustment tool executing within a computer system, such as a laptop computer or a desktop computer. The at least two digital images may be transmitted to the computer system or may be generated by an attached camera device. In yet another embodiment, the UI system 20-1000 may be generated by a cloud-based server computer system, which may download the at least two digital images to a client browser, which may execute combining operations described below. In another embodiment, the UI system 20-1000 is generated by a cloud-based server computer system, which receives the at least two digital images from a digital photographic system in a mobile device, and which may execute the combining operations described below in conjunction with generating combined image 20-1020.

[0564] The slider control 20-1030 may be configured to move between two end points corresponding to indication points 20-1040-A and 20-1040-C. One or more indication points, such as indication point 20-1040-B may be positioned between the two end points. Of course, in other embodiment, the control region 20-1025 may include other configurations of indication points 20-1040 between the two end points. For example, the control region 20-1025 may include more or less than one indication point.

[0565] Each indication point 20-1040 may be associated with a specific rendering of a combined image 20-1020, or a specific combination of two or more digital images. For example, the indication point 20-1040-A may be associated with a first digital image generated from an ambient analog signal captured during a first exposure time, and amplified utilizing a first gain; and the indication point 20-1040-C may be associated with a second digital image generated from a flash analog signal captured during a second exposure time, and amplified utilizing a second gain. Both the first digital image and the second digital image may be from a single exposure, as described hereinabove. Further, the first digital image may include an ambient capture of the single exposure, and the second digital image may include a flash capture of the single exposure. In one embodiment, the first gain and the second gain may be the same gain. In another embodiment, when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned directly over the indication point 20-1040-A, only the first digital image may be displayed as the combined image 20-1020 in the display image 20-1010, and similarly when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned directly over the indication point 20-1040-C, only the second digital image may be displayed as the combined image 20-1020 in the display image 20-1010.

[0566] In one embodiment, indication point 20-1040-B may be associated with a blending of the first digital image and the second digital image. Further, the first digital image may be an ambient digital image, and the second digital image may be a flash digital image. Thus, when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned at the indication point 20-1040-B, the combined image 20-1020 may be a blend of the ambient digital image and the flash digital image. In one embodiment, blending of the ambient digital image and the flash digital image may comprise alpha blending, brightness blending, dynamic range blending, and/or tone mapping or other non-linear blending and mapping operations. In another embodiment, any blending of the first digital image and the second digital image may provide a new image that has a greater dynamic range or other visual characteristics that are different than either of the first image and the second image alone. In one embodiment, a blending of the first digital image and the second digital image may allow for control of a flash contribution within the combined image. Thus, a blending of the first digital image and the second digital image may provide a new computed image that may be displayed as combined image 20-1020 or used to generate combined image 20-1020. To this end, a first digital signal and a second digital signal may be combined, resulting in at least a portion of a combined image. Further, one of the first digital signal and the second digital signal may be further combined with at least a portion of another digital image or digital signal. In one embodiment, the other digital image may include another combined image, which may include an HDR image.

[0567] In one embodiment, when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned at the indication point 20-1040-A, the first digital image is displayed as the combined image 20-1020, and when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned at the indication point 20-1040-C, the second digital image is displayed as the combined image 20-1020; furthermore, when slider control 20-1030 is positioned at indication point 20-1040-B, a blended image is displayed as the combined image 20-1020. In such an embodiment, when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned between the indication point 20-1040-A and the indication point 20-1040-C, a mix (e.g. blend) weight may be calculated for the first digital image and the second digital image. For the first digital image, the mix weight may be calculated as having a value of 0.0 when the slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-C and a value of 1.0 when slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-A, with a range of mix weight values between 0.0 and 1.0 located between the indication points 20-1040-C and 20-1040-A, respectively. For the second digital image, the mix weight may be calculated as having a value of 0.0 when the slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-A and a value of 1.0 when slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-C, with a range of mix weight values between 0.0 and 1.0 located between the indication points 20-1040-A and 20-1040-C, respectively.

[0568] In another embodiment, the indication point 20-1040-A may be associated with a first combination of images, and the indication point 20-1040-C may be associated with a second combination of images. Each combination of images may include an independent blend of images. For example, the indication point 20-1040-A may be associated with a blending of the digital images of ambient image stack 20-732(0) of FIG. 20-3, and the indication point 20-1040-C may be associated with a blending of the digital images of flash image stack 20-732(1). In other words, the indication point 20-1040-A may be associated with a blended ambient digital image or blended ambient digital signal, and the indication point 20-1040-C may be associated with a blended flash digital image or blended flash digital signal. In such an embodiment, when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned at the indication point 20-1040-A, the blended ambient digital image is displayed as the combined image 20-1020, and when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned at the indication point 20-1040-C, the blended flash digital image is displayed as the combined image 20-1020. Each of the blended ambient digital image and the blended flash digital image may be associated with unique light sensitivities.

[0569] Further, when slider control 20-1030 is positioned at indication point 20-1040-B, the blended ambient digital image may be blended with the blended flash digital image to generate a new blended image. The new blended image may be associated with yet another unique light sensitivity, and may offer a balance of proper background exposure due to the blending of ambient images, with a properly lit foreground subject due to the blending of flash images. In such an embodiment, when the slider control 20-1030 is positioned between the indication point 20-1040-A and the indication point 20-1040-C, a mix (e.g. blend) weight may be calculated for the blended ambient digital image and the blended flash digital image. For the blended ambient digital image, the mix weight may be calculated as having a value of 0.0 when the slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-C and a value of 1.0 when slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-A, with a range of mix weight values between 0.0 and 1.0 located between the indication points 20-1040-C and 20-1040-A, respectively. For the blended flash digital image, the mix weight may be calculated as having a value of 0.0 when the slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-A and a value of 1.0 when slider control 20-1030 is at indication point 20-1040-C, with a range of mix weight values between 0.0 and 1.0 located between the indication points 20-1040-A and 20-1040-C, respectively.

[0570] FIG. 20-4B illustrates a user interface (UI) system 20-1050 for generating a combined image 20-1020, according to one embodiment. As an option, the UI system 20-1050 may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the UI system 20-1050 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0571] As shown in FIG. 20-4B, the UI system 20-1050 may be substantially identical to the UI system 20-1000 of FIG. 20-4A, with exception of the control region 20-1025 of UI system 20-1000 and control region 20-1026 of UI system 20-1050. The control region 20-1026 of UI system 20-1050 is shown to include six indication points 20-1040-U, 20-1040-V, 20-1040-W, 20-1040-X, 20-1040-Y, and 20-1040-Z. The indication points 20-1040-U and 20-1040-Z may be representative of end points, similar to the indication points 20-1040-A and 20-1040-C, respectively, of UI system 20-1000. Further, the control region 20-1026 of UI system 20-1050 is shown to include a plurality of indication points 20-1040—such as indication points 20-1040-V, 20-1040-W, 20-1040-X, and 20-1040-Y-disposed between the two end points along track 20-1032. Each of the indication points may be associated with one or more digital images of image stacks 20-732.

[0572] For example, an ambient image stack 20-732 may be generated to include each of an ambient digital image at EV-1 exposure, an ambient digital image at EV0 exposure, and an ambient digital image at EV+1 exposure. Said ambient image stack 20-732 may be associated with a first analog storage plane captured at a first exposure time, such as the ambient image stack 20-732(0) of FIG. 20-3. Thus, an ambient image stack may include a plurality of digital images all associated with a first exposure time during an ambient capture, where each digital image is associated with a different ISO or light sensitivity. Further, a flash image stack 20-732 may also be generated to include each of a flash digital image at EV-1 exposure, a flash digital image at EV0 exposure, and a flash digital image at EV+1 exposure. However, the flash image stack 20-732 may be associated with a second analog storage plane captured at a second exposure time during which a strobe or flash was activated, such as the flash image stack 20-732(1) of FIG. 20-3. Thus, a flash image stack may include a second plurality of digital images all associated with a second exposure time during which a strobe or flash was activated, where each flash digital image is associated with a different ISO or light sensitivity.

[0573] After analog-to-digital units 20-722(0) and 20-722(1) generate the respective image stacks 20-732, the digital pixel data output by the analog-to-digital units 20-722(0) and 20-722(1) may be arranged together into a single sequence of digital images of increasing or decreasing exposure. In one embodiment, no two digital signals of the two image stacks may be associated with a same ISO+exposure time combination, such that each digital image or instance of digital pixel data may be considered as having a unique effective exposure.

[0574] In one embodiment, and in the context of the foregoing figures, each of the indication points 20-1040-U, 20-1040-V, and 20-1040-W may be associated with digital images of an image stack 20-732, and each of the indication points 20-1040-X, 20-1040-Y, and 20-1040-Z may be associated with digital images of another image stack 20-732. For example, each the indication points 20-1040-U, 20-1040-V, and 20-1040-W may be associated with a different ambient digital image or ambient digital signal. Similarly, each of the indication points 20-1040-X, 20-1040-Y, and 20-1040-Z may be associated with a different flash digital image or flash digital signal. In such an embodiment, as the slider 20-1030 is moved from left to right along the track 20-1032, exposure and flash contribution of the combined image 20-1020 may appear to be adjusted or changed. Of course, when the slider 20-1030 is between two indication points along the track 20-1032, the combined image 20-1032 may be a combination of any two or more images of the two image stacks 20-732.

[0575] In another embodiment, the digital images or instances of digital pixel data output by the analog-to-digital units 20-722(0) and 20-722(1) may be arranged into a single sequence of digital images of increasing or decreasing exposure. In such an embodiment, the sequence may alternate between ambient and flash digital images. For example, for each of the digital images, gain and exposure time may be combined to determine an effective exposure of the digital image. The digital pixel data may be rapidly organized to obtain a single sequence of digital images of increasing effective exposure, such as, for example: 20-723(0), 20-723(1), 20-724(0), 20-724(1), 20-725(0), and 20-725(1). In such an organization, the sequence of digital images may alternate between flash digital images and ambient digital images. Of course, any sorting of the digital images or digital pixel data based on effective exposure level will depend on an order of application of the gains and generation of the digital signals 20-723-20-725.

[0576] In one embodiment, exposure times and gains may be selected or predetermined for generating a number of adequately different effective exposures. For example, where three gains are to be applied, then each gain may be selected to be two exposure stops away from a nearest selected gain. Further, a first exposure time may be selected to be one exposure stop away from a second exposure time. In such an embodiment, selection of three gains separated by two exposure stops, and two exposure times separated by one exposure stop, may ensure generation of six digital images, each having a unique effective exposure.

[0577] In another embodiment, exposure times and gains may be selected or predetermined for generating corresponding images of similar exposures between the ambient image stack and the flash image stack. For example, a first digital image of an ambient image stack may be generated utilizing an exposure time and gain combination that corresponds to an exposure time and gain combination utilized to generate a first digital image of a flash image stack. This may be done so that the first digital image of the ambient image stack has a similar effective exposure to that of the first digital image of the flash image stack, which may assist in adjusting a flash contribution in a combined image generated by blending the two digital images.

[0578] With continuing reference to the digital images of multiple image stacks sorted in a sequence of increasing exposure, each of the digital images may then be associated with indication points along the track 20-1032 of the UI system 20-1050. For example, the digital images may be sorted or sequenced along the track 20-1032 in the order of increasing effective exposure noted previously (20-723(0), 20-723(1), 20-724(0), 20-724(1), 20-725(0), and 20-725(1)) at indication points 20-1040-U, 20-1040-V, 20-1040-W, 20-1040-X, 20-1040-Y, and 20-1040-Z, respectively.

[0579] In such an embodiment, the slider control 20-1030 may then be positioned at any point along the track 20-1032 that is between two digital images generated based on two different analog storage planes, where each analog storage plane is associated with a different scene illumination. As a result, a digital image generated based on an analog storage plane associated with ambient illumination may then be blended with a digital image generated based on an analog storage plane associated with flash illumination to generate a combined image 20-1020. In this way, one or more images captured with ambient illumination may be blended with one or more images captured with flash illumination.

[0580] For example, the slider control 20-1030 may be positioned at an indication point that may be equally associated with digital pixel data 20-724(0) and digital pixel data 20-724(1). As a result, the digital pixel data 20-724(0), which may include a first digital image generated from an ambient analog signal captured during a first exposure time with ambient illumination and amplified utilizing a gain, may be blended with the digital pixel data 20-724(1), which may include a second digital image generated from a flash analog signal captured during a second exposure time with flash illumination and amplified utilizing the same gain, to generate a combined image 20-1020.

[0581] Still further, as another example, the slider control 20-1030 may be positioned at an indication point that may be equally associated with digital pixel data 20-724(1) and digital pixel data 20-725(0). As a result, the digital pixel data 20-724(1), which may include a first digital image generated from an ambient analog signal captured during a first exposure time with ambient illumination and amplified utilizing a first gain, may be blended with the digital pixel data 20-725(0), which may include a second digital image generated from a flash analog signal captured during a second exposure time with flash illumination and amplified utilizing a different gain, to generate a combined image 20-1020.

[0582] Thus, as a result of the slider control 20-1030 positioning, two or more digital signals may be blended, and the blended digital signals may be generated utilizing analog values from different analog storage planes. As a further benefit of sorting effective exposures along a slider, and then allowing blend operations based on slider control position, each pair of neighboring digital images may include a higher noise digital image and a lower noise digital image. For example, where two neighboring digital signals are amplified utilizing a same gain, the digital signal generated from an analog signal captured with a lower exposure time may have less noise. Similarly, where two neighboring digital signals are amplified utilizing different gains, the digital signal generated from an analog signal amplified with a lower gain value may have less noise. Thus, when digital signals are sorted based on effective exposure along a slider, a blend operation of two or more digital signals may serve to reduce the noise apparent in at least one of the digital signals.

[0583] Of course, any two or more effective exposures may be blended based on the indication point of the slider control 20-1030 to generate a combined image 20-1020 in the UI system 20-1050.

[0584] In one embodiment, a mix operation may be applied to a first digital image and a second digital image based upon at least one mix weight value associated with at least one of the first digital image and the second digital image. In one embodiment, a mix weight of 1.0 gives complete mix weight to a digital image associated with the 1.0 mix weight. In this way, a user may blend between the first digital image and the second digital image. To this end, a first digital signal and a second digital signal may be blended in response to user input. For example, sliding indicia may be displayed, and a first digital signal and a second digital signal may be blended in response to the sliding indicia being manipulated by a user.

[0585] A system of mix weights and mix operations provides a UI tool for viewing a first digital image, a second digital image, and a blended image as a gradual progression from the first digital image to the second digital image. In one embodiment, a user may save a combined image 20-1020 corresponding to an arbitrary position of the slider control 20-1030. The adjustment tool implementing the UI system 20-1000 may receive a command to save the combined image 20-1020 via any technically feasible gesture or technique. For example, the adjustment tool may be configured to save the combined image 20-1020 when a user gestures within the area occupied by combined image 20-1020. Alternatively, the adjustment tool may save the combined image 20-1020 when a user presses, but does not otherwise move the slider control 20-1030. In another implementation, the adjustment tool may save the combined image 20-1020 when a user gestures, such as by pressing a UI element (not shown), such as a save button, dedicated to receive a save command.

[0586] To this end, a slider control may be used to determine a contribution of two or more digital images to generate a final computed image, such as combined image 20-1020. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the above system of mix weights and mix operations may be generalized to include two or more indication points, associated with two or more related images. Such related images may comprise, without limitation, any number of digital images that have been generated from two or more analog storage planes, and which may have zero, or near zero, interframe time.

[0587] Furthermore, a different continuous position UI control, such as a rotating knob, may be implemented rather than the slider 20-1030.

[0588] FIG. 20-4C illustrates user interface (UI) systems displaying combined images 20-1070-20-1072 with differing levels of strobe exposure, according to one embodiment. As an option, the UI systems of FIG. 20-4C may be implemented in the context of the details of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the UI systems be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0589] As shown in FIG. 20-4C, a blended image may be blended from two or more images based on a position of slider control 20-1030. As shown, the slider control 20-1030 is configured to select one or more source images for input to a blending operation, where the source images are associated with increasing strobe intensity as the slider control 20-1030 moves from left to right.

[0590] For example, based on the position of slider control 20-1030 in control region 20-1074, first blended image 20-1070 may be generated utilizing one or more source images captured without strobe or flash illumination. As a specific example, the first blended image 20-1070 may be generated utilizing one or more images captured using only ambient illumination. The one or more images captured using only ambient illumination may comprise an image stack 20-732, such as the ambient image stack 20-732(0). As shown, the first blended image 20-1070 includes an under-exposed subject 20-1062. Further, based on the position of slider control 20-1030 in control region 20-1076, third blended image 20-1072 may be generated utilizing one or more source images captured using strobe or flash illumination. The one or more source images associated with the position of slider control 20-1030 in the control region 20-1076 may comprise an image stack 20-732, such as the flash image stack 20-732(1). As shown, the third blended image 20-1072 includes an over-exposed subject 20-1082

[0591] By manipulating the slider control 20-1030, a user may be able to adjust the contribution of the source images used to generate the blended image. Or, in other words, the user may be able to adjust the blending of one or more images. For example, the user may be able to adjust or increase a flash contribution from the one or more source images captured using strobe or flash illumination. As illustrated in FIG. 20-4C, when a user positions the slider control 20-1030 along a track away from track end points, as shown in control region 20-1075, a flash contribution from the one or more source images captured using strobe or flash illumination may be blended with the one or more source images captured using ambient illumination. This may result in the generation of second blended image 20-1071, which includes a properly exposed subject 20-1081. To this end, by blending digital images captured in ambient lighting conditions with digital images of the same photographic scene captured with strobe or flash illumination, novel digital images may be generated. Further, a flash contribution of the digital images captured with strobe or flash illumination may be adjustable by a user to ensure that both foreground subjects and background objects are properly exposed.

[0592] A determination of appropriate strobe intensity may be subjective, and embodiments disclosed herein advantageously enable a user to subjectively select a final combined image having a desired strobe intensity after a digital image has been captured. In practice, a user is able to capture what is apparently a single photograph by asserting a single shutter-release. The single shutter-release may cause capture of a set of ambient samples to a first analog storage plane during a first exposure time, and capture of a set of flash samples to a second analog storage plane during a second exposure time that immediately follows the first exposure time. The ambient samples may comprise an ambient analog signal that is then used to generate multiple digital images of an ambient image stack. Further, the flash samples may comprise a flash analog signal that is then used to generate multiple digital images of a flash image stack. By blending two or more images of the ambient image stack and the flash image stack, the user may thereby identify a final combined image with desired strobe intensity. Further, both the ambient image stack and the flash image stack may be stored, such that the user can select the final combined image at a later time.

[0593] In other embodiments, two or more slider controls may be presented in a UI system. For example, in one embodiment, a first slider control may be associated with digital images of an ambient image stack, and a second slider control may be associated with digital images of a flash image stack. By manipulating the slider controls independently, a user may control a blending of ambient digital images independently from blending of flash digital images. Such an embodiment may allow a user to first select a blending of images from the ambient image stack that provides a preferred exposure of background objects. Next, the user may then select a flash contribution. For example, the user may select a blending of images from the flash image stack that provides a preferred exposure of foreground objects. Thus, by allowing for independent selection of ambient contribution and flash contribution, a final blended or combined image may include properly exposed foreground objects as well as properly exposed background objects.

[0594] In another embodiment, a desired exposure for one or more given regions of a blended image may be identified by a user selecting another region of the blended image. For example, the other region selected by the user may be currently displayed at a proper exposure within a UI system while the one or more given regions are currently under-exposed or over-exposed. In response to the user's selection of the other region, a blending of source images from an ambient image stack and a flash image stack may be identified to provide the proper exposure at the one or more given regions of the blended image. The blended image may then be updated to reflect the identified blending of source images that provides the proper exposure at the one or more given regions.

[0595] In another embodiment, images of a given image stack may be blended before performing any blending operations with images of a different image stack. For example, two or more ambient digital images or ambient digital signals, each with a unique light sensitivity, may be blended to generate a blended ambient digital image with a blended ambient light sensitivity. Further, the blended ambient digital image may then be subsequently blended with one or more flash digital images or flash digital signals. The blending with the one or more flash digital images may be in response to user input. In another embodiment, two or more flash digital images may be blended to generate a blended flash digital image with a blended flash light sensitivity, and the blended flash digital image may then be blended with the blended ambient digital image.

[0596] As another example, two or more flash digital images or flash digital signals, each with a unique light sensitivity, may be blended to generate a blended flash digital image with a blended flash light sensitivity. Further, the blended flash digital image may then be subsequently blended with one or more ambient digital images or ambient digital signals. The blending with the one or more ambient digital images may be in response to user input. In another embodiment, two or more ambient digital images may be blended to generate a blended ambient digital image with a blended ambient light sensitivity, and the blended ambient digital image may then be blended with the blended flash digital image.

[0597] In one embodiment, the ambient image stack may include digital images at different effective exposures than the digital images of the flash image stack. This may be due to application of different gain values for generating each of the ambient image stack and the flash image stack. For example, a particular gain value may be selected for application to an ambient analog signal, but not for application to a corresponding flash analog signal.

[0598] As shown in FIG. 18-8, a wireless mobile device 18-376(0) generates at least two digital images. In one embodiment, the at least two digital images may be generated by amplifying analog values of two or more analog storage planes, where each generated digital image may correspond to digital output of an applied gain. In one embodiment, a first digital image may include an EV-1 exposure of a photographic scene, and a second digital image may include an EV+1 exposure of the photographic scene. In another embodiment, the at least two digital images may include an EV-2 exposure of a photographic scene, an EV0 exposure of the photographic scene, and an EV+2 exposure of the photographic scene. In yet another embodiment, the at least two digital images may comprise one or more image stacks. For example, the at least two digital images may comprise an ambient image stack and/or a flash image stack.

[0599] With respect to FIG. 18-8, user manipulation of the slider control may adjust a flash contribution of one or more source images captured with strobe or flash illumination.

[0600] One advantage of the present invention is that a digital photograph may be selectively generated based on user input using two or more different images generated from a single exposure of a photographic scene. Accordingly, the digital photograph generated based on the user input may have a greater dynamic range than any of the individual images. Additionally, a user may selectively adjust a flash contribution of the different images to the generated digital photograph. Further, the generation of an HDR image using two or more different images with zero, or near zero, interframe time allows for the rapid generation of HDR images without motion artifacts.

[0601] Additionally, when there is any motion within a photographic scene, or a capturing device experiences any jitter during capture, any interframe time between exposures may result in a motion blur within a final merged HDR photograph. Such blur can be significantly exaggerated as interframe time increases. This problem renders current HDR photography an ineffective solution for capturing clear images in any circumstance other than a highly static scene. Further, traditional techniques for generating a HDR photograph involve significant computational resources, as well as produce artifacts which reduce the image quality of the resulting image. Accordingly, strictly as an option, one or more of the above issues may or may not be addressed utilizing one or more of the techniques disclosed herein.

[0602] Still yet, in various embodiments, one or more of the techniques disclosed herein may be applied to a variety of markets and/or products. For example, although the techniques have been disclosed in reference to a photo capture, they may be applied to televisions, web conferencing (or live streaming capabilities, etc.), security cameras (e.g. increase contrast to determine characteristic, etc.), automobiles (e.g. driver assist systems, in-car infotainment systems, etc.), and/or any other product which includes a camera input.

[0603] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0604] FIG. 21-1 illustrates a system 21-100 for obtaining low-noise, high-speed captures of a photographic scene, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the system 21-100 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 21-100 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0605] As shown in FIG. 21-1, the system 21-100 includes a first pixel 21-105, a second pixel 21-107, a first sample storage node 21-121, and a second sample storage node 21-123. Further, the first pixel 21-105 is shown to include a first cell 21-101, and the second pixel 21-107 is shown to include a second cell 21-103. In one embodiment, each pixel may include one or more cells. For example, in some embodiments, each pixel may include four cells. Further, each of the cells may include a photodiode, photosensor, or any photo-sensing electrical element. A photodiode may comprise any semiconductor diode that generates a potential difference, current, or changes its electrical resistance, in response to photon absorption. Accordingly, a photodiode may be used to detect or measure a light intensity.

[0606] Referring again to FIG. 21-1, the first cell 21-101 and the first sample storage node 21-121 are in communication via interconnect 21-111, the second cell 21-103 and the second sample storage node 21-123 are in communication via interconnect 21-113, and the first cell 21-101 and the second cell 21-103 are in communication via interconnect 21-112.

[0607] Each of the interconnects 21-111-21-113 may carry an electrical signal from one or more cells to a sample storage node. For example, the interconnect 21-111 may carry an electrical signal from the cell 21-101 to the first sample storage node 21-121. The interconnect 21-113 may carry an electrical signal from the cell 21-103 to the second sample storage node 21-123. Further, the interconnect 21-112 may carry an electrical signal from the cell 21-103 to the first sample storage node 21-121, or may carry an electrical signal from the cell 21-101 to the second sample storage node 21-123. In such embodiments, the interconnect 21-112 may enable a communicative coupling between the first cell 21-101 and the second cell 21-103. Further, in some embodiments, the interconnect 21-112 may be operable to be selectively enabled or disabled. In such embodiments, the interconnect 21-112 may be selectively enabled or disable using one or more transistors and/or control signals.

[0608] In one embodiment, each electrical signal carried by the interconnects 21-111-113 may include a photodiode current. For example, each of the cells 21-101 and 21-103 may include a photodiode. Each of the photodiodes of the cells 21-101 and 21-103 may generate a photodiode current which is communicated from the cells 21-101 and 21-103 via the interconnects 21-111-113 to one or more of the sample storage nodes 21-121 and 21-123. In configurations where the interconnect 21-112 is disabled, the interconnect 21-113 may communicate a photodiode current from the cell 21-103 to the second sample storage node 21-123, and, similarly, the interconnect 21-111 may communicate a photodiode current from the cell 21-101 to the first sample storage node 21-121. However, in configurations where the interconnect 21-112 is enabled, both the cell 21-101 and the cell 21-103 may communicate a photodiode current to the first sample storage node 21-121 and the second sample storage node 21-123.

[0609] Of course, each sample storage node may be operative to receive any electrical signal from one or more communicatively coupled cells, and then store a sample based upon the received electrical signal. In some embodiments, each sample storage node may be configured to store two or more samples. For example, the first sample storage node 21-121 may store a first sample based on a photodiode current from the cell 21-101, and may separately store a second sample based on, at least in part, a photodiode current from the cell 21-103.

[0610] In one embodiment, each sample storage node includes a charge storing device for storing a sample, and the sample stored at a given storage node may be a function of a light intensity detected at one or more associated photodiodes. For example, the first sample storage node 21-121 may store a sample as a function of a received photodiode current, which is generated based on a light intensity detected at a photodiode of the cell 21-101. Further, the second sample storage node 21-123 may store a sample as a function of a received photodiode current, which is generated based on a light intensity detected at a photodiode of the cell 21-103. As yet another example, when the interconnect 21-112 is enabled, the first sample storage node 21-121 may receive a photodiode current from each of the cells 21-101 and 21-103, and the first sample storage node 21-121 may thereby store a sample as a function of both the light intensity detected at the photodiode of the cell 21-101 and the light intensity detected at the photodiode of the cell 21-103.

[0611] In one embodiment, each sample storage node may include a capacitor for storing a charge as a sample. In such an embodiment, each capacitor stores a charge that corresponds to an accumulated exposure during an exposure time or sample time. For example, current received at each capacitor from one or more associated photodiodes may cause the capacitor, which has been previously charged, to discharge at a rate that is proportional to incident light intensity detected at the one or more photodiodes. The remaining charge of each capacitor may be referred to as a value or analog value, and may be subsequently output from the capacitor. For example, the remaining charge of each capacitor may be output as an analog value that is a function of the remaining charge on the capacitor. In one embodiment, via the interconnect 21-112, the cell 21-101 may be communicatively coupled to one or more capacitors of the first sample storage node 21-121, and the cell 21-103 may also be communicatively coupled to one or more capacitors of the first sample storage node 21-121.

[0612] In some embodiments, each sample storage node may include circuitry operable for receiving input based on one or more photodiodes. For example, such circuitry may include one or more transistors. The one or more transistors may be configured for rendering the sample storage node responsive to various control signals, such as sample, reset, and row select signals received from one or more controlling devices or components. In other embodiments, each sample storage node may include any device for storing any sample or value that is a function of a light intensity detected at one or more associated photodiode. In some embodiments, the interconnect 21-112 may be selectively enabled or disabled using one or more associated transistors. Accordingly, the cell 21-101 and the cell 21-103 may be in communication utilizing a communicative coupling that includes at least one transistor. In embodiments where each of the pixels 21-105 and 21-107 include additional cells (not shown), the additional cells may not be communicatively coupled to the cells 21-101 and 21-103 via the interconnect 21-112.

[0613] In various embodiments, the pixels 21-105 and 21-107 may be two pixels of an array of pixels of an image sensor. Each value stored at a sample storage node may include an electronic representation of a portion of an optical image that has been focused on the image sensor that includes the pixels 21-105 and 21-107. In such an embodiment, the optical image may be focused on the image sensor by a lens. The electronic representation of the optical image may comprise spatial color intensity information, which may include different color intensity samples (e.g. red, green, and blue light, etc.). In other embodiments, the spatial color intensity information may also include samples for white light. In one embodiment, the optical image may be an optical image of a photographic scene. Such an image sensor may comprise a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or any other technically feasible form of image sensor.

[0614] FIG. 21-2 illustrates a system 21-200 for obtaining low-noise, high-speed captures of a photographic scene, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the system 21-200 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the system 21-200 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0615] As shown in FIG. 21-2, the system 21-200 includes a plurality of pixels 21-240. Specifically, the system 21-200 is shown to include pixels 21-240(0), 21-240(1), 21-240(2), and 21-240(3). Each of the pixels 21-240 may be substantially identical with respect to composition and configuration. Further, each of the pixels 21-240 may be a single pixel of an array of pixels comprising an image sensor. To this end, each of the pixels 21-240 may comprise hardware that renders the pixel operable to detect or measure various wavelengths of light, and convert the measured light into one or more electrical signals for rendering or generating one or more digital images. Each of the pixels 21-240 may be substantially identical to the pixel 21-105 or the pixel 21-107 of FIG. 21-1.

[0616] Further, each of the pixels 21-240 is shown to include a cell 21-242, a cell 21-243, a cell 21-244 and a cell 21-245. In one embodiment, each of the cells 21-242-245 includes a photodiode operative to detect and measure one or more peak wavelengths of light. For example, each of the cells 21-242 may be operative to detect and measure red light, each of the cells 21-243 and 21-244 may be operative to detect and measure green light, and each of the cells 21-245 may be operative to detect and measure blue light. In other embodiments, a photodiode may be configured to detect wavelengths of light other than only red, green, or blue. For example, a photodiode may be configured to detect white, cyan, magenta, yellow, or non-visible light such as infrared or ultraviolet light. Any communicatively coupled cells may be configured to detect a same peak wavelength of light.

[0617] In various embodiments, each of the cells 21-242-21-245 may generate an electrical signal in response to detecting and measuring its associated one or more peak wavelengths of light. In one embodiment, each electrical signal may include a photodiode current. A given cell may generate a photodiode current which is sampled by a sample storage node for a selected sample time or exposure time, and the sample storage node may store an analog value based on the sampling of the photodiode current. Of course, as noted previously, each sample storage node may be capable of concurrently storing more than one analog value.

[0618] As shown in FIG. 21-2, each of the cells 21-242 are communicatively coupled via an interconnect 21-250. In one embodiment, the interconnect 21-250 may be enabled or disabled using one or more control signals. When the interconnect 21-250 is enabled, the interconnect may carry a combined electrical signal. The combined electrical signal may comprise a combination of electrical signals output from each of the cells 21-242. For example, the combined electrical signal may comprise a combined photodiode current, where the combined photodiode current includes photodiode current received from photodiodes of each of the cells 21-242. Thus, enabling the interconnect 21-250 may serve to increase a combined photodiode current generated based on one or more peak wavelengths of light. In some embodiments, the combined photodiode current may be used to more rapidly store an analog value at a sample storage node than if a photodiode current generated by only a single cell was used to store the analog value. To this end, the interconnect 21-250 may be enabled to render the pixels 21-240 of an image sensor more sensitive to incident light. Increasing the sensitivity of an image sensor may allow for more rapid capture of digital images in low light conditions, capture of digital images with reduced noise, and/or capture of brighter or better exposed digital images in a given exposure time.

[0619] The embodiments disclosed herein may advantageously enable a camera module to sample images to have less noise, less blur, and greater exposure in low-light conditions than conventional techniques. In certain embodiments, images may be effectively sampled or captured simultaneously, which may reduce inter-sample time to, or near, zero. In other embodiments, the camera module may sample images in coordination with the strobe unit to reduce inter-sample time between an image sampled without strobe illumination and an image sampled with strobe illumination.

[0620] More illustrative information will now be set forth regarding various optional architectures and uses in which the foregoing method may or may not be implemented, per the desires of the user. It should be strongly noted that the following information is set forth for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in any manner. Any of the following features may be optionally incorporated with or without the exclusion of other features described.

[0621] FIG. 21-3A illustrates a circuit diagram for a photosensitive cell 21-600, in accordance with one possible embodiment. As an option, the cell 21-600 may be implemented in the context of any of the Figures disclosed herein. Of course, however, the cell 21-600 may be implemented in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[0622] As shown in FIG. 21-3A, a photosensitive cell 21-600 includes a photodiode 21-602 coupled to a first analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and a second analog sampling circuit 21-603(1). The photodiode 21-602 may be implemented as a photodiode of a cell 21-101 described within the context of FIG. 21-1, or any of the photodiodes 18-562 of FIG. 18-3E. In one embodiment, a unique instance of photosensitive cell 21-600 may be implemented as any of cells 21-242-21-245 within the context of FIG. 21-2, or any of cells 18-542-18-545 within the context of FIGS. 18-3A-18-5E. Further, the first analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 21-603(1) may separately, or in combination, comprise a sample storage node, such as one of the sample storage nodes 21-121 or 21-123 of FIG. 21-1.

[0623] As shown, the photosensitive cell 21-600 comprises two analog sampling circuits 21-603, and a photodiode 21-602. The two analog sampling circuits 21-603 include a first analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) which is coupled to a second analog sampling circuit 21-603(1). As shown in FIG. 21-3A, the first analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) comprises transistors 21-606(0), 21-610(0), 21-612(0), 21-614(0), and a capacitor 21-604(0); and the second analog sampling circuit 21-603(1) comprises transistors 21-606(1), 21-610(1), 21-612(1), 21-614(1), and a capacitor 21-604(1). In one embodiment, each of the transistors 21-606, 21-610, 21-612, and 21-614 may be a field-effect transistor.

[0624] The photodiode 21-602 may be operable to measure or detect incident light 21-601 of a photographic scene. In one embodiment, the incident light 21-601 may include ambient light of the photographic scene. In another embodiment, the incident light 21-601 may include light from a strobe unit utilized to illuminate the photographic scene. Of course, the incident light 21-601 may include any light received at and measured by the photodiode 21-602. Further still, and as discussed above, the incident light 21-601 may be concentrated on the photodiode 21-602 by a microlens, and the photodiode 21-602 may be one photodiode of a photodiode array that is configured to include a plurality of photodiodes arranged on a two-dimensional plane.

[0625] In one embodiment, the analog sampling circuits 21-603 may be substantially identical. For example, the first analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 21-603(1) may each include corresponding transistors, capacitors, and interconnects configured in a substantially identical manner. Of course, in other embodiments, the first analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and the second analog sampling circuit 21-603(1) may include circuitry, transistors, capacitors, interconnects and/or any other components or component parameters (e.g. capacitance value of each capacitor 21-604) which may be specific to just one of the analog sampling circuits 21-603.

[0626] In one embodiment, each capacitor 21-604 may include one node of a capacitor comprising gate capacitance for a transistor 21-610 and diffusion capacitance for transistors 21-606 and 21-614. The capacitor 21-604 may also be coupled to additional circuit elements (not shown) such as, without limitation, a distinct capacitive structure, such as a metal-oxide stack, a poly capacitor, a trench capacitor, or any other technically feasible capacitor structures.

[0627] The cell 21-600 is further shown to include an interconnect 21-644 between the analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and the analog sampling circuit 21-603(1). The interconnect 21-644 includes a transistor 21-641, which comprises a gate 21-640 and a source 21-642. A drain of the transistor 21-641 is coupled to each of the analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and the analog sampling circuit 21-603(1). When the gate 21-640 is turned off, the cell 21-600 may operate in isolation. When operating in isolation, the cell 21-600 may operate in a manner whereby the photodiode 21-602 is sampled by one or both of the analog sampling circuits 21-603 of the cell 21-600. For example, the photodiode 21-602 may be sampled by the analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and the analog sampling circuit 21-603(1) in a concurrent manner, or the photodiode 21-602 may be sampled by the analog sampling circuit 21-603(0) and the analog sampling circuit 21-603(1) in a sequential manner. In alternative embodiments, the drain terminal of transistor 21-641 is coupled to interconnect 21-644 and the source terminal of transistor 21-641 is coupled to the sampling circuits 21-603 and the photodiode 21-602.

[0628] With respect to analog sampling circuit 21-603(0), when reset 21-616(0) is active (low), transistor 21-614(0) provides a path from voltage source V2 to capacitor 21-604(0), causing capacitor 21-604(0) to charge to the potential of V2. When sample signal 21-618(0) is active, transistor 21-606(0) provides a path for capacitor 21-604(0) to discharge in proportion to a photodiode current (I_PD) generated by the photodiode 21-602 in response to the incident light 21-601. In this way, photodiode current I_PD is integrated for a first exposure time when the sample signal 21-618(0) is active, resulting in a corresponding first voltage on the capacitor 21-604(0). This first voltage on the capacitor 21-604(0) may also be referred to as a first sample. When row select 21-634(0) is active, transistor 21-612(0) provides a path for a first output current from V1 to output 21-608(0). The first output current is generated by transistor 21-610(0) in response to the first voltage on the capacitor 21-604(0). When the row select 21-634(0) is active, the output current at the output 21-608(0) may therefore be proportional to the integrated intensity of the incident light 21-601 during the first exposure time.

[0629] With respect to analog sampling circuit 21-603(1), when reset 21-616(1) is active (low), transistor 21-614(1) provides a path from voltage source V2 to capacitor 21-604(1), causing capacitor 21-604(1) to charge to the potential of V2. When sample signal 21-618(1) is active, transistor 21-606(1) provides a path for capacitor 21-604(1) to discharge in proportion to a photodiode current (I_PD) generated by the photodiode 21-602 in response to the incident light 21-601. In this way, photodiode current I_PD is integrated for a second exposure time when the sample signal 21-618(1) is active, resulting in a corresponding second voltage on the capacitor 21-604(1). This second voltage on the capacitor 21-604(1) may also be referred to as a second sample. When row select 21-634(1) is active, transistor 21-612(1) provides a path for a second output current from V1 to output 21-608(1). The second output current is generated by transistor 21-610(1) in response to the second voltage on the capacitor 21-604(1). When the row select 21-634(1) is active, the output current at the output 21-608(1) may therefore be proportional to the integrated intensity of the incident light 21-601 during the second exposure time.

[0630] As noted above, when the cell 21-600 is operating in an isolation mode, the photodiode current I_PD of the photodiode 21-602 may be sampled by one of the analog sampling circuits 21-603 of the cell 21-600; or may be sampled by both of the analog sampling circuits 21-603 of the cell 21-600, either concurrently or sequentially. When both the sample signal 21-618(0) and the sample signal 21-618(1) are activated simultaneously, the photodiode current I_PD of the photodiode 21-602 may be sampled by both analog sampling circuits 21-603 concurrently, such that the first exposure time and the second exposure time are, at least partially, overlapping.