{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854192","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854192","title":"Digital unit cell with analog counter element","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-04-12T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a digital unit cell comprising a photodiode, an integration capacitor, a comparator configured to compare a voltage across the integration capacitor with a threshold voltage and to generate a control signal at a first level each time the voltage across the integration capacitor is greater than the threshold voltage, a charge subtraction circuit configured to receive the control signal at the first level and to discharge accumulated charge on the integration capacitor each time the control signal at the first level is received, at least one analog counter configured to receive the control signal at the first level from the comparator and to decrease a count voltage by a fixed amount each time the control signal at the first level is received from the comparator, and a counter readout circuit configured to provide the count voltage to an image processing circuit."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element patent introduces a novel approach to image sensor design, significantly enhancing dynamic range and reducing noise. This innovation addresses the limitations of conventional image sensors by incorporating an analog counter element within each unit cell. Instead of directly digitizing the charge accumulated by a photodiode, this system utilizes a comparator and charge subtraction circuit to decrement an analog counter each time a voltage threshold is reached. The final count represents the light intensity. This method allows for more precise light measurement, resulting in clearer and more detailed images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.\n\nThe core technical approach involves integrating a photodiode, an integration capacitor, a comparator, a charge subtraction circuit, and an analog counter within each unit cell. The comparator continuously monitors the voltage across the capacitor, triggering the charge subtraction circuit and decrementing the analog counter when the voltage exceeds a threshold. This analog processing within the unit cell minimizes the impact of digitization noise and extends the dynamic range of the sensor.\n\nThe business value of this technology lies in its potential to improve image quality in a wide range of applications. From digital cameras and smartphones to medical imaging devices and automotive sensors, the Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element can enhance performance and enable new imaging features. The market opportunity is substantial, as the demand for higher-quality images continues to grow across various industries. This innovation offers a competitive advantage by providing superior image quality, reduced noise, and improved dynamic range compared to traditional image sensors. The potential for increased revenue is significant, driven by the adoption of this technology in new and existing imaging applications.","layman_explanation":"The Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element patent addresses a fundamental limitation in how digital cameras and other imaging devices capture light. Traditional image sensors struggle to accurately record both very bright and very dark areas in the same scene, resulting in either overexposed highlights or underexposed shadows. This technology offers a more effective way to measure light, leading to better image quality.\n\n**1. What Problem Does This Solve?**\n\nThe main problem this technology solves is the limited dynamic range and noise issues in digital imaging. Dynamic range refers to the ability of a sensor to capture the full spectrum of light, from the dimmest shadows to the brightest highlights. Existing solutions often fall short because they either clip the bright areas (overexposure) or lose detail in the dark areas (underexposure). This patent offers a way to capture a wider range of light intensities without these trade-offs.\n\n**2. How Does It Work?**\n\nInstead of measuring light intensity directly, this patent describes a system that counts how many times a certain threshold of light is reached within each pixel. Imagine each pixel as a tiny bucket that fills with light. In a traditional sensor, you measure how full the bucket is at the end. With this new technology, every time the bucket reaches a certain level, you empty it and add one to a counter. At the end, the counter tells you how much light was captured. This allows the sensor to handle a much wider range of light intensities without overflowing (saturating) or being overwhelmed by noise.\n\n**3. Why Does This Matter?**\n\nThis technology has significant market impact because it improves the quality of images and videos captured by digital devices. The improved dynamic range means that images will have more detail in both bright and dark areas, making them more realistic and visually appealing. The reduced noise leads to cleaner images, especially in low-light conditions. This translates to better photos and videos for consumers, more accurate medical images for doctors, and more reliable data for autonomous vehicles.\n\n**4. What's Next?**\n\nThe future applications of this technology are vast. As imaging becomes more and more important in our daily lives, the demand for higher-quality images will continue to grow. This patent could be a key enabler for next-generation cameras, smartphones, and other imaging devices. Market adoption will likely depend on the cost and complexity of implementing the technology, but the potential ROI is significant given the widespread demand for better image quality. Investment implications are positive, as this technology represents a promising opportunity for companies in the imaging and sensor industries.","technical_analysis":"The Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element patent details a significant advancement in image sensor technology, focusing on enhancing dynamic range and reducing noise through a novel unit cell design. The core of the innovation lies in replacing the traditional direct digitization of accumulated charge with an analog counting mechanism within each pixel.\n\nAt the heart of the system is a photodiode that converts incoming light into electrical charge. This charge is then accumulated on an integration capacitor. A comparator continuously monitors the voltage across this capacitor against a predefined threshold. When the voltage surpasses the threshold, the comparator triggers two simultaneous actions: a charge subtraction circuit discharges a fixed amount of charge from the integration capacitor, and the analog counter is decremented by one unit. This process repeats continuously as light continues to fall on the photodiode.\n\nThe key technical advantage of this architecture is that it avoids the limitations imposed by the dynamic range of the integration capacitor and the noise introduced during the analog-to-digital conversion process. By repeatedly subtracting charge and decrementing the counter, the system effectively extends the measurable range of light intensity without saturating the capacitor. The analog counter stores the accumulated count, which represents the total light intensity captured by the pixel over the exposure period.\n\nImplementation details involve careful selection and optimization of the components. The comparator's threshold voltage must be precisely calibrated to ensure accurate counting. The charge subtraction circuit must discharge a consistent amount of charge with each trigger. The analog counter must be designed for low power consumption and high-speed operation. Integration patterns require careful layout and shielding to minimize parasitic capacitances and cross-talk between neighboring unit cells.\n\nPerformance characteristics are significantly improved compared to traditional designs. The dynamic range is extended, allowing for the capture of both bright and dark areas within the same scene without clipping. Noise is reduced due to the analog counting process, which is less susceptible to digitization noise. Code-level implications include the need for specialized image processing algorithms to handle the counter data and reconstruct the final image. This innovation holds considerable promise for advancing image sensor technology and enabling new applications in various fields.","business_analysis":"The Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element patent presents a compelling business opportunity within the rapidly evolving image sensor market. The core value proposition lies in its ability to enhance image quality through improved dynamic range and reduced noise, addressing a critical need across various industries.\n\nThe market opportunity is substantial, driven by the increasing demand for high-performance imaging in consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive systems, and industrial applications. The global image sensor market is projected to reach billions of dollars in the coming years, with a significant portion attributed to advanced sensor technologies that offer superior image quality and efficiency.\n\nThe competitive advantage of the Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element stems from its unique architecture, which combines analog and digital processing within each unit cell. This approach enables more precise light measurement and reduces the impact of digitization noise, resulting in clearer and more detailed images. This advantage positions the technology as a superior alternative to traditional image sensor designs.\n\nThe revenue potential is significant, driven by the adoption of this technology in new and existing imaging applications. Potential business models include licensing the patent to image sensor manufacturers, developing and selling custom image sensors, and integrating the technology into end-user products. Strategic positioning involves targeting high-growth market segments, such as medical imaging and automotive sensors, where image quality and reliability are paramount.\n\nROI projections indicate a strong return on investment, driven by the increased demand for high-performance imaging and the competitive advantages of the Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element. The potential for market disruption is high, as this technology could redefine the standards for image quality and efficiency in various industries. Overall, this patent represents a valuable asset with significant commercial potential.","faqs":null,"topics":["image sensor","analog counter","dynamic range","noise reduction","photodiode"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element - Patent US-9854192","description":"Discover how the Digital Unit Cell with Analog Counter Element patent enhances image sensors with improved dynamic range and reduced noise. Full patent analysis and claims.","keywords":["image sensor","analog counter","dynamic range","noise reduction","photodiode","comparator","charge subtraction","digital camera","medical imaging","automotive sensor","patent","patent US-9854192"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854192","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854192","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Digital unit cell with analog counter element\" (US-9854192). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854192","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854192","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854192","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T01:53:10.505Z"}