Will Semiconductor has been granted a patent for an image sensor with a signal processing unit that can detect regions of interest in test mode and analyze scenes using computer vision techniques in normal mode. The technology aims to enhance image processing capabilities for host devices. GlobalData’s report on Will Semiconductor gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Will Semiconductor, Under-screen biometric identification was a key innovation area identified from patents. Will Semiconductor's grant share as of May 2024 was 66%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Image sensor signal processing unit for test and analysis

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Will Semiconductor Co Ltd

A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US12014558B2) discloses a signal processing unit designed to enhance image sensor capabilities. The unit is programmed to read a captured scene from a pixel array and a value from a test initiation register. If the value indicates a test mode, the unit processes the scene to detect a region of interest associated with the value and transmits it to a host device. In the absence of a test mode indication, the unit analyzes the scene using computer vision techniques to generate a signal based on the analysis, which is then transmitted to the host device through a different interface.

Furthermore, the patent details the functionality of the image sensor equipped with the signal processing unit. The sensor comprises a pixel array, a test initiation register, and interfaces for communication. When the sensor reads a captured scene and a value from the register, it follows a similar process as the signal processing unit to detect regions of interest or generate signals based on the scene analysis. The patent also highlights the potential applications of this technology, such as in intelligent switches, driver monitoring systems, augmented reality systems, and more, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of the image sensor's capabilities in various fields.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.