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US-12621575-B2 - Systems and methods for generating a high-dynamic range (HDR) pixel stream

US12621575B2US 12621575 B2US12621575 B2US 12621575B2US-12621575-B2

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for high-dynamic range images. In use, a first pixel attribute of a first pixel is received and a second pixel attribute of a second pixel is received. Next, a scalar based on the first pixel attribute and the second pixel attribute is identified. Finally, the first pixel and the second pixel are blended, based on the scalar, wherein the first pixel is brighter than the second pixel. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.

Inventors

  • William Rivard
  • Adam Feder
  • Brian Kindle

Assignees

  • DUELIGHT LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20250116

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . An apparatus, comprising: an image sensor including a plurality of cells including: a first cell having a first photodiode generating a first analog signal, and a second cell having a second photodiode generating a second analog signal, for being utilized to generate at least a portion of one or more line analog signals; a line in communication with the plurality of cells, the line communicating the one or more line analog signals; at least one analog-to-digital channel in communication with the line, the at least one analog-to-digital channel receiving at least one of the one or more line analog signals for conversion thereof, where the at least one analog-to-digital channel outputs a first line digital signal and a second line digital signal; and circuitry in communication with the at least one analog-to-digital channel, the circuitry receiving at least one of the first line digital signal or the second line digital signal, for image generation; wherein the apparatus is configured such that different adjacent cells of the image sensor correspond with a same color of light, and are subject to: for a first image, a first sampling for which one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light are sampled and combined before being utilized to generate at least a portion of at least one first line analog signal that corresponds to a line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, and for a second image, a second sampling for which one or more analog signals generated by at least a subset of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light is sampled without being combined with any analog signal generated by any other of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light before being utilized to generate at least a portion of at least one second line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor.
  2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that: for the first image, no line analog signals, that are communicated at readout via different column lines in communication with different groups of cells, are combined before analog-to-digital conversion thereof; and for a third image, at least two line analog signals, that are communicated at readout via the different column lines in communication with the different groups of cells, are combined before analog-to-digital conversion thereof.
  3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for a third image, a third sampling is performed for which: one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells and each of additional different adjacent cells also corresponding with the same color of light are sampled and combined to generate at least a portion of at least one third line analog signal that is communicated via at least one source-follower-configured transistor over the line associated with the different adjacent cells, where the line is also associated with the additional different adjacent cells; one or more analog signals generated by each of other different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light are sampled and combined to generate at least a portion of at least one fourth line analog signal that is communicated over another line associated with the other different adjacent cells of the image sensor; and the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal is combined with the at least portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal, before analog-to-digital conversion.
  4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for a third image: a third sampling is performed for which one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells of a first pixel corresponding with the same color of light is combined with analog signals generated by each of other different adjacent cells of a second pixel corresponding with the same color of light, before digital conversion thereof.
  5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for a third image: a third sampling is performed for which one or more analog signals that is generated by each of the different adjacent cells of a first pixel corresponding with the same color of light and that is communicated via the line associated with the different adjacent pixels, is combined with one or more analog signals that is generated by each of other different adjacent cells of a second pixel corresponding with the same color of light and that is communicated via the line associated with the different adjacent pixels, before digital conversion thereof.
  6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for a third image: a third sampling is performed for which one or more analog signals that is generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light and that is communicated via the line associated with the different adjacent cells, is combined with one or more analog signals that is generated by each of other different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light and that is communicated via another line associated with the other different adjacent cells, before digital conversion thereof.
  7. 7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for a third image: a third sampling is performed for which one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light are sampled and combined before being utilized to generate at least a portion of at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, where the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is combined with at least a portion of at least one fourth line analog signal that corresponds to another line associated with other cells other than the different adjacent cells, before digital conversion thereof.
  8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that: the first image is generated when the image sensor is operating in a first mode, and the first image exhibits a first sensitivity and a first resolution, the second image is generated when the image sensor is operating in a second mode, and the second image exhibits a second sensitivity that is less than the first sensitivity and a second resolution that is greater than the first resolution, and the third image is generated when the image sensor is operating in a third mode, and the third image exhibits a third sensitivity that is greater than the first sensitivity and a third resolution that is less than the first resolution.
  9. 9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that different combinations of one or more of at least four gains that are available including a first gain, a second gain, a third gain, and a fourth gain are applied for the first mode and the third mode.
  10. 10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that different combinations of one or more of at least four gains including a first gain, a second gain, a third gain, and a fourth gain are applied for the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode.
  11. 11 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that a first gain and a second gain are capable of being applied via one or more pixel-level amplifiers, and a third gain and a fourth gain are capable of being applied via one or more line-level amplifying circuits.
  12. 12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for the third image: the first gain is applied to generate a first part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor; after the first gain is applied, the second gain is applied to generate a second part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor; and the circuitry receives the first line digital signal and the second line digital signal for the third image, for high dynamic range (HDR) image generation.
  13. 13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of: the one or more pixel-level amplifiers are pixel-level by including an amplifier that is part of a pixel sampling circuit; the one or more pixel-level amplifiers are pixel-level by operating at a cell-level; the one or more pixel-level amplifiers are pixel-level by residing before the at least one analog-to-digital channel; the one or more pixel-level amplifiers are pixel-level by residing in a column read-out circuit; the one or more pixel-level amplifiers are pixel-level by operating on analog signals before being read out via the line; the one or more pixel-level amplifiers are pixel-level by operating on a pixel-sourced analog signal; the one or more pixel-level amplifiers are pixel-level by operating on a pixel-sourced analog signal before a readout; the one or more line-level amplifying circuits include amplifiers; the one or more line-level amplifying circuits include circuits that amplify without constituting an amplifier; the one or more line-level amplifying circuits are line-level by operating on analog signals after being read out via the line; the first part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal and the second part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal, include different parts of the at least one third line analog signal; the first part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal and the second part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal, include different parts of the at least one third line analog signal that includes a single signal; the first part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal and the second part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal, include different signals of the at least one third line analog signal that includes a plurality of third analog signals; the first part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal and the second part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal, include different third line analog signals; the at least one third line analog signal includes a plurality of third analog signals; or the at least one third line analog signal includes a single third analog signal.
  14. 14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that: in response to receipt of a user input for a shutter control: a plurality of the third images are generated, by: the first gain being applied to generate a first part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, and after the first gain is applied, the second gain being applied to generate a second part of the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor; at least a portion of a first one of the plurality of third images, a second one of the plurality of third images, and a third one of the plurality of third images, are combined to generate at least a portion of at least one synthetic image; the first image is generated; and the at least portion of the at least one synthetic image is combined with at least a portion of the first image, to generate a high dynamic range (HDR) image.
  15. 15 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of: the image sensor includes a sensor that generates images based on sensed light; the image sensor converts optical scene information to an electronic representation of a photographic scene; the image sensor includes only the plurality of cells; the image sensor includes the plurality of cells, in addition to other componentry; the image sensor includes the plurality of cells, in addition to other componentry including the line; the line in communication with the plurality of cells is one of a plurality of lines each in communication with a corresponding plurality of cells; the line in communication with the plurality of cells is one of a plurality of columns; the line in communication with the plurality of cells is one of a plurality of rows; multiple of the cells correspond with a single pixel; each cell corresponds with a pixel, by analog signals generated thereby being used to generate pixel data used to display the pixel; the first analog signal, the second analog signal, the one or more line analog signals, the first line digital signal, and the second line digital signal, are classes or types of signals that are generated for each image; the first analog signal, the second analog signal, the one or more line analog signals, the first line digital signal, and the second line digital signal, are generated for each of the first image, the second image, and the third image; the first photodiode generating the first analog signal, by being an only photodiode that generates the first analog signal; the first photodiode generating the first analog signal, by not being an only photodiode that generates the first analog signal; the first photodiode generating the first analog signal, by the first photodiode providing at least one signal that is utilized in generating the first analog signal; the first photodiode generating the first analog signal, by the first photodiode providing at least one signal that is combined with at least one other signal for generating the first analog signal; the second photodiode generating the second analog signal, by being an only photodiode that generates the second analog signal; the second photodiode generating the second analog signal, by not being an only photodiode that generates the second analog signal; the second photodiode generating the second analog signal, by the second photodiode providing at least one signal that is utilized in generating the second analog signal; the second photodiode generating the second analog signal, by the second photodiode providing at least one signal that is combined with at least one other signal for generating the second analog signal; the first analog signal is generated by the first photodiode without being generated by any other photodiode; the first analog signal is generated by the first photodiode and at least one other photodiode; the second analog signal is generated by the second photodiode without being generated by any other photodiode; the second analog signal is generated by the second photodiode and at least one other photodiode; at least one of the first gain or the second gain is applied to the first analog signal; at least one of a first gain or a second gain is not applied to the first analog signal; at least one of the first gain or the second gain is applied to the second analog signal; at least one of the first gain or the second gain is not applied to the second analog signal; in communication with, includes constant communication; in communication with, includes intermittent communication; in communication with, includes fixed communication; in communication with, includes selective communication; in communication with, includes in direct communication; in communication, includes in direct communication, with no intermediate circuit components therebetween; in communication with, includes in indirect communication; in communication, includes in indirect communication, with at least one intermediate circuit component therebetween; in communication, includes in indirect communication, with at least one switch therebetween; each cell of the plurality of cells includes a site of a corresponding photodiode; each cell of the plurality of cells includes a photosite; each cell of the plurality of cells corresponds with a single pixel; the first cell is used to generate a first pixel and the second cell is used to generate a second pixel; the first cell and the second cell are used to generate a same pixel; the first cell is part of a first pixel and the second cell is part of a second pixel; the first cell and the second cell are part of a same pixel; the first analog signal is generated before the second analog signal; the first analog signal is generated after the second analog signal; the first analog signal is generated at the same time as the second analog signal; the at least one analog-to-digital channel includes a first analog-to-digital channel or a second analog-to-digital channel; the at least one analog-to-digital channel includes a single analog-to-digital channel; the apparatus includes a single package with the image sensor, the line, the first analog-to-digital channel, the first analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry packaged therein; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate, where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include software instructions; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate, where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include image sensor instructions; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate, where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include operating-system-related instructions; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate, where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions do not include software instructions; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate, where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include firmware instructions; where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include instructions that are stored in persistent memory; where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include instructions that are stored in non-volatile memory; where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include instructions that are read-only; the apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more circuits of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to operate, where the one or more circuits include at least one processor, and the instructions include hardwired instructions; the apparatus does not include a phone; the apparatus does not include a fully-completed camera; the apparatus does not include a fully-operating camera; the apparatus includes only the image sensor, the line, the first and second analog-to-digital channel and the circuitry; the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals includes a portion of the one or more line analog signals corresponding to a subset of cells in communication with the line; the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals includes only a portion of the one or more line analog signals corresponding to a subset of cells in communication with the line; the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals corresponds to only a subset of cells in communication with the line; the one or more line analog signals are line analog signals by virtue of being communicated via the line; the one or more line analog signals are line analog signals by virtue of including cell-specific signals communicated via the line; the one or more line analog signals are line analog signals by virtue of corresponding to the line of cells; the one or more line analog signals are line analog signals by virtue of corresponding to at least a subset of the line of cells; the first line digital signal is a line digital signal by virtue of being communicated via the line; the first line digital signal is a line digital signal by virtue of corresponding to the line of cells; the first line digital signal corresponds to at least a subset of the line of cells; the first line digital signal corresponds to only a subset of the line of cells; the first line digital signal corresponds to only a subset of cells in communication with the line; the first line digital signal corresponds to a subset of cells in communication with the line; the first line digital signal corresponds to the plurality cells; the first line digital signal is one of a plurality of first line digital signals corresponding to cells in communication with the line; the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of receiving the at least one of the one or more line analog signals for conversion thereof to the first line digital signal, such that the first line digital signal is capable of being based on the first gain, so as to allow the first analog-to-digital channel to not receive the at least one of the one or more line analog signals; the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of receiving the at least one of the one or more line analog signals for conversion thereof to the first line digital signal, such that the first line digital signal is capable of being based on the first gain, so as to allow the first analog-to-digital channel to receive the at least one of the one or more line analog signals, but without the conversion thereof; the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of receiving the at least one of the one or more line analog signals for conversion thereof to the first line digital signal, such that the first line digital signal is capable of being based on the first gain, so as to allow the first analog-to-digital channel to receive the at least one of the one or more line analog signals for the conversion to the first line digital signal without being based on the first gain; the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of receiving the at least one of the one or more line analog signals for conversion thereof to the first line digital signal, such that the first line digital signal is capable of being based on the first gain, so as to allow the first analog-to-digital channel to receive the at least one of the one or more line analog signals for the conversion to the first line digital signal, without the first line digital signal being used for image generation; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is utilized to generate the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals, by being included in the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is utilized to generate the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals, by being processed and then included in the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is utilized to generate the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals, by being assembled with other analog signals in the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals; the line is part of the image sensor; the line is not part of the image sensor; the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry are part of the image sensor; the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry are not part of the image sensor; the line communicates the one or more line analog signals, separately; the line communicates the one or more line analog signals, together; the image sensor is integrated with at least one of the line, the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry; the image sensor is not integrated with at least one of the line, the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry; the image sensor is integrated, on a same semiconductor platform, with at least one of the line, the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry; the image sensor is not integrated, on a same semiconductor platform, with at least one of the line, the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry; the image sensor is packaged with at least one of the line, the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry; the image sensor is not packaged with at least one of the line, the first analog-to-digital channel, the second analog-to-digital channel, and the circuitry; the line includes a column line; the line includes a wire that communicates the one or more line analog signals; the line includes a wire that communicates the one or more line analog signals that represents pixel data for a column of pixels; the line includes a row line; the line includes a wire that communicates the one or more line analog signals; the line includes a wire that communicates the one or more line analog signals that represents pixel data for a column of pixels; the first analog-to-digital channel includes an amplifier; the first analog-to-digital channel includes amplifying circuitry; the first analog-to-digital channel includes an amplifier for applying the first gain; the first analog-to-digital channel includes an amplifying circuit for applying the first gain; the first analog-to-digital channel includes an analog-to-digital converter; the first analog-to-digital channel includes analog-to-digital converting circuitry; the first analog-to-digital channel includes distinct amplifying circuitry and analog-to-digital converting circuitry; the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of receiving the at least one of the one or more line analog signals, via a switch that provides communication between the line and the first analog-to-digital channel; the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of selectively receiving the at least one of the one or more line analog signals, via a switch that provides communication between the line and the first analog-to-digital channel; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the first analog-to-digital channel, is the same as the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the first analog-to-digital channel, is the same as the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the second analog-to-digital channel, but received at different times; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the first analog-to-digital channel, is different from the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the first analog-to-digital channel, is different from the at least one of the one or more line analog signals that is received by the second analog-to-digital channel, and received at different times; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals capable of being received by the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of being the same as the at least one of the one or more line analog signals capable of being received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals capable of being received by the first analog-to-digital channel is capable of being different than the at least one of the one or more line analog signals capable of being received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals is capable of being received by the first analog-to-digital channel, as well as being capable of not being received by the first analog-to-digital channel; the at least one of the one or more line analog signals is capable of being received by the second analog-to-digital channel, as well as being capable of not being received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the first analog-to-digital channel and the second analog-to-digital channel share a single variable amplifier; the first analog-to-digital channel and the second analog-to-digital channel each include separate analog-to-digital circuits; the second analog-to-digital channel includes an amplifier; the second analog-to-digital channel includes amplifying circuitry; the second analog-to-digital channel includes an amplifier for applying the second gain; the second analog-to-digital channel includes an amplifying circuit for applying the second gain; the second analog-to-digital channel includes an analog-to-digital converter; the second analog-to-digital channel includes analog-to-digital converting circuitry; the second analog-to-digital channel includes distinct amplifying circuitry and analog-to-digital converting circuitry; the first analog-to-digital channel and the second analog-to-digital channel are part of a same circuit; the first analog-to-digital channel and the second analog-to-digital channel are not part of a same circuit; the apparatus includes a third analog-to-digital channel; the circuitry is capable of receiving only one of the first line digital signal or the second line digital signal, before the image generation; the circuitry is capable of receiving both the first line digital signal and the second line digital signal, before the image generation; the circuitry is capable of receiving both the first line digital signal and the second line digital signal, in sequence, before the image generation; the circuitry is capable of receiving both the first line digital signal and the second line digital signal, concurrently, before the image generation; the at least portion of the first image includes a line of the first image; the different adjacent cells are laterally adjacent; the different adjacent cells are diagonally adjacent; the different adjacent cells are longitudinally adjacent; the first cell has only the first photodiode; the first cell has the first photodiode, in addition to at least one other photodiode; the second cell has only the second photodiode; the second cell has second first photodiode, in addition to at least one other photodiode; the first cell and the second cell have a same number of photodiodes; the first cell and the second cell have a different number of photodiodes; the first photodiode includes a single photodiode; the first photodiode is one of a plurality of photodiodes of the first cell; the first photodiode is utilized to charge a capacitor; the first photodiode is utilized to charge a capacitive element; the first photodiode includes a capacitor; the first photodiode includes a capacitive element; the first photodiode is not utilized to charge a capacitor; the first photodiode is not utilized to charge a capacitive element; the first photodiode does not include a capacitor; the first photodiode does not include a capacitive element; the first analog signal and the second analog signal are capable of being amplified with the first gain, the second gain, or both the first gain and the second gain before the image generation; both the first analog signal and the second analog signal are amplified with the first gain, before the image generation; only one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is amplified with the first gain, before the image generation; both the first analog signal and the second analog signal are amplified with only the first gain, before the image generation; only one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is amplified with only the first gain, before the image generation; both the first analog signal and the second analog signal are amplified with the second gain, before the image generation; only one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is amplified with the second gain, before the image generation; both the first analog signal and the second analog signal are amplified with only the second gain, before the image generation; only one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is amplified with only the second gain, before the image generation; both the first analog signal and the second analog signal are amplified with both the first gain and the second gain, before the image generation; only one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is amplified with both the first gain and the second gain, before the image generation; the first analog signal and the second analog signal are amplified with a same at least one gains; the first analog signal and the second analog signal are amplified with different gains; the first line digital signal is converted based on the first gain; the first line digital signal is converted without being based on the first gain; the at least portion of the first image is generated based on the first gain, and without being based on the second gain, the first gain, and the second gain; the at least portion of the first image is generated based on the first gain and the second gain, and without being based on the first gain and the second gain; the at least portion of the first image is generated based on the first gain, the second gain, and the first gain, and without being based on the second gain; the at least portion of the first image is generated based on the first gain, the second gain, the first gain, and the second gain; the at least portion of the first image and at least a portion of a second image are generated based on different gains; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, utilizing a plurality of fixed gain circuits that are selected for the at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, utilizing a single variable gain circuit that applies different gains based on receipt of different control signals, for the at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, utilizing digital gain values; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, utilizing digital gain values received for control purposes; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, utilizing digital gain values mapped from received ISO values; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, by being capable of: amplifying at least one analog signal in a first scenario with only the first gain, amplifying at least one analog signal in a second scenario with only the second gain, amplifying at least one analog signal in a third scenario with both the first gain and the second gain; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, by both of the first analog signal and the second analog signal being capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, by being capable of: amplifying at least one analog signal with both the first gain and the second gain simultaneously; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, by being capable of: amplifying at least one analog signal with both the first gain and the second gain in parallel; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, by being capable of: amplifying at least one analog signal with both the first gain and the second gain separately; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, by being capable of: amplifying at least one analog signal with both the first gain and the second gain in sequence; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain, by the at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal being initially amplified with the first gain, and the at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal being subsequently amplified with the second gain; the first gain and the second gain are applied utilizing a single first amplifier, and the first gain and the second gain are applied utilizing a single second amplifier; the first gain and the second gain are applied utilizing one or more first amplifiers, and the first gain and the second gain are applied utilizing one or more second amplifiers; the first gain and the second gain are applied utilizing one or more first amplifiers, and the first gain and the second gain are applied utilizing the one or more first amplifiers; the first gain and the second gain are each a pixel-by-pixel gain; the first gain and the second gain are each a cell-by-cell gain; the first gain and the second gain are each applied by a per-cell amplifier; the first gain and the second gain are each a pixel-by-pixel gain that is applied by a per-cell amplifier; the first gain and the second gain are each a line-by-line gain; only one of the first gain or the second gain is a pixel-by-pixel gain; only one of the first gain or the second gain is a line-by-line gain; the first gain is a pixel-by-pixel gain, and the second gain is a line-by-line gain; the different adjacent cells are adjacent to each other; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a row of the cells; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a double row of the cells; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a column of the cells; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a double column of the cells; the line of cells of the image sensor include a set of cells capable of communicating via the line; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a line of a plurality of laterally-spaced cell pairs; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a line of a plurality of laterally-spaced cell groups; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, and at least one of the groups includes the plurality of cells; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, with each group of cells being associated with the same color; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, with each group of cells being associated with the same color and including a 2×2 cell configuration; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, with each group of cells being associated with the same color and including a 2×2 cell configuration associated with one or more pixels; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, with each group of cells being associated with the same color and including a 2×4 cell configuration associated with a single pixel; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, with each group of cells being associated with the same color and including a 2×2 cell configuration associated with a single pixel; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, with each group of cells being associated with the same color and including a 2×4 cell configuration associated with one or more pixels; the line of cells of the image sensor, include a plurality of groups of cells that are capable of communicating via the line, with each group of cells being associated with the same color and including a 1×2 cell configuration; the line of cells of the image sensor includes the first cell and the second cell; the line of cells of the image sensor includes the first cell and the second cell, in addition to other cells; the line of cells of the image sensor includes a row of cells; the line of cells of the image sensor includes a column of cells; the line of cells of the image sensor includes cells configured in a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes cells configured in a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes cells physically positioned in a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes cells physically positioned in a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes cells physically positioned along a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes cells physically positioned along a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes a single line of cells physically positioned along a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes a line of side-by-side cells physically positioned along a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor includes a line of 4×4 groupings of cells physically positioned along a same row or column; the line of cells of the image sensor does not include the line in communication with the plurality of cells; the line in communication with the plurality of cells, includes a physical line; the line in communication with the plurality of cells, is physical; the line in communication with the plurality of cells, includes a wire; the line in communication with the plurality of cells, includes a circuit; the cells of the line of cells of the image sensor, include the plurality of cells of the line in communication with the plurality of cells; the cells of the line of cells of the image sensor, does not include the plurality of cells of the line in communication with the plurality of cells; the plurality of cells of the line in communication with the plurality of cells, include the cells of the line of cells of the image sensor; the plurality of cells of the line in communication with the plurality of cells, does not include the cells of the line of cells of the image sensor; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals received by the first analog-to-digital channel is the same as the at least portion of one or more line analog signals received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals received by the first analog-to-digital channel is different from the at least portion of one or more line analog signals received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the first analog-to-digital channel and the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the first analog-to-digital channel and the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is not received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is not received by the first analog-to-digital channel and the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the first analog-to-digital channel and the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the second analog-to-digital channel, for a same single exposure; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the first analog-to-digital channel and the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is not received by the second analog-to-digital channel, for a same single exposure; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is not received by the first analog-to-digital channel and the at least portion of one or more line analog signals is received by the second analog-to-digital channel, for a same single exposure; the first line digital signal and the second line digital signal, are associated with the line of cells; the first line digital signal and the second line digital signal, are associated with the same line of cells; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals, include only part of the one or more line analog signals that correspond to only the plurality of cells; the plurality of cells include only a subset of the line of cells; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor, by including a first line analog signal portion generated by at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor, by including a first line analog signal portion generated by at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor, by including a line analog signal portion generated utilizing both the first analog signal and the second analog signal; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor, by including a line analog signal portion generated utilizing both the first analog signal and the second analog signal, uncombined; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor, by including a line analog signal portion generated utilizing both the first analog signal and the second analog signal, combined; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor, by including a first line analog signal portion generated utilizing only the first analog signal, and a second line analog signal portion generated utilizing only the second analog signal; at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain before being utilized to generate the at least portion of one or more line analog signals that correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor, by the at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal being capable of being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain before the at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal being communicated via the line to at least one of the first analog-to-digital channel or the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals that correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor are generated by being aggregated for all cells of the line of cells; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals that correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor are generated by being read out on the line that is in communication with the first analog-to-digital channel and the second analog-to-digital channel; the at least portion of one or more line analog signals that correspond to the line of cells of the image sensor are generated by being assembled on the line, before being communicated to at least one of the first analog-to-digital channel or the second analog-to-digital channel; for the image generation, at least one of the first line digital signal or the second line digital signal is combined with other line digital signals that are generated utilizing other line analog signals that, in turn, are generated utilizing other photodiode-generated analog signals; the image generation includes a combination of the first line digital signal and the second line digital signal; the image generation includes a combination of at least a portion of the first line digital signal and at least a portion of the second line digital signal; the image generation includes a last processing step before at least one image is ready for display; the second mode includes an isolation mode; the first mode includes a current sharing mode; the first mode includes a first current sharing mode, and the third mode includes a first current sharing mode; the at least subset of the different adjacent cells includes all of the different adjacent cells; the at least subset of the different adjacent cells includes less than all of the different adjacent cells; the at least one first line signal is associated with a first exposure, and the at least one second line signal is associated with a second exposure; the at least one first line signal is associated with the first sampling, and the at least one second line signal is associated with the second sampling; the other of the different adjacent cells includes another subset of the different adjacent cells other than the at least subset thereof; the at least subset of the different adjacent cells includes a first one of the different adjacent cells, and the other of the different adjacent cells includes a second one of the different adjacent cells, where the different adjacent cells include two cells; the one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light is sampled, by being received from corresponding photodiodes; the one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light is sampled, by being received directly from corresponding photodiodes; the one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light is sampled, by being received indirectly from corresponding photodiodes; the one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light is sampled via one or more switches associated with the different adjacent cells; the one or more analog signals generated by each of the different adjacent cells corresponding with the same color of light is sampled via switches each associated with each of the different adjacent cells; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, by each being capable of detecting the same color of light; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, by each being capable of detecting the same color of light without a requirement of detecting the same color of light; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, by each being capable of detecting the same color of light without a requirement of detecting the same color of light; the first and second cells correspond with the same color of light, always; the first and second correspond with the same color of light, at least sometimes; the first and second correspond with the same color of light, in one mode of operation of the image sensor; the first and second correspond with the same color of light, in one mode of operation of the image sensor, but not another mode; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, by each including a filter for the same color of light positioned thereon; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, by each including a configurable filter configured for the same color of light in certain modes while being configured for different colors of light in certain other modes; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, by each including a lens for the same color of light positioned thereon; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, by each including a corresponding photodiode that is configured for the detecting the same color of light; the plurality of cells correspond with the same color of light, in addition to having an ability to detect white light; the at least portion of the at least one first line analog signal corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, by the at least portion of the at least one first line analog signal being communicated via the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor; the at least portion of the at least one first line analog signal corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, by the at least portion of the at least one first line analog signal being configured to be communicated via the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor; the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is associated with the different adjacent cells, by the line associated with the different adjacent cells communicating line analog signals that are generated from cell analog signals generated by the different adjacent cells; the line is associated with only the plurality of cells; the line is associated with the plurality of cells, in addition to other adjacent cells; the line is associated with the plurality of cells, in addition to other adjacent cells associated with one or more different rows; the line is associated with the plurality of cells, in addition to other adjacent cells associated with one or more different lines; the line associated with the different adjacent cells includes the line in communication with the plurality of cells; the line associated with the different adjacent cells does not include the line in communication with the plurality of cells; the line associated with the different adjacent cells includes the line of cells of the image sensor; the line associated with the different adjacent cells does not include the line of cells of the image sensor; the line associated with the different adjacent cells, includes a physical line; the line associated with the different adjacent cells, is physical; the line associated with the different adjacent cells, includes a wire; the line associated with the different adjacent cells, includes a circuit; the line associated with the different adjacent cells, includes that which communicates the at least portion of the at least one first line analog signal and the at least portion of the at least one second line analog signal; the different adjacent cells are a subset of the plurality of cells; the different adjacent cells are separate from the plurality of cells; the different adjacent cells include a 1×2 cell configuration; the different adjacent cells include a 2×1 cell configuration; the different adjacent cells include a 2×2 cell configuration; the different adjacent cells include a 4×4 cell configuration; the different adjacent cells include a 8×8 cell configuration; the different adjacent cells include a first row of two cells and a second row of two cells; the different adjacent cells include a first row of two cells and a second row of two cells that are all in communication with the line; the plurality of cells corresponds with the same color of light, only when operating in the first mode and the third mode; the plurality of cells corresponds with the same color of light, only when operating in the first mode and the third mode, but still exist for use in the second mode; the plurality of cells does not correspond with the same color of light, when operating in the second mode, as a result of a processing of an output of the plurality of cells; the plurality of cells corresponds with the same color of light, only when operating in the first mode and the third mode, but still exist for the use during the second sampling; the plurality of cells corresponds with the same color of light, when operating both in the first mode and in the third mode; the image sensor is operates in the first mode for the first image, and the image sensor operates in the second mode for the second image; the image sensor is operates in the first mode in a first scenario, and the image sensor operates in the second mode in a second scenario; the image sensor switches between operation in the first mode and in the second mode, automatically; the image sensor switches between operation in the first mode and in the second mode, in response to user input; in the event that the image sensor is operating in the first mode, the first analog signal and the second analog signal are not combined before being utilized to generate the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals, by the first analog signal, by itself, being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain before being communicated, via the line, as at least part of the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals; in the event that the image sensor is operating in the second mode, the first analog signal is combined with the second analog signal before being utilized to generate the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals, by the first analog signal being combined with the second analog signal before being amplified with at least one of the first gain or the second gain before being communicated, via the line, as at least part of the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals; in the event that the image sensor is operating in the second mode, the first analog signal is combined with the second analog signal before being utilized to generate the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals, by the first analog signal being combined with the second analog signal before being utilized to generate the at least portion of the one or more line analog signals, by a voltage associated with the first analog signal being added to another voltage associated with the second analog signal; the first sensitivity and the second sensitivity include light sensitivity; the at least portion of the first image exhibits the second sensitivity that is greater than the first sensitivity, by combining separate voltages that are generated by separate photodiodes receiving separate light; the at least portion of the first image exhibits the second resolution, by combining separate voltages that are generated by separate photodiodes receiving separate light; a first high dynamic range (HDR) image is generated that includes an image that is generated utilizing at least two different gains, for different exposures; a first high dynamic range (HDR) image is generated that includes an image that is generated utilizing at least two different gains, for a same single exposure; the at least one first line analog signal, the at least one second line analog signal, and the at least one third line analog signal, are all communicated via the line in communication with the plurality of cells; the at least one first line analog signal, the at least one second line analog signal, and the at least one third line analog signal, are all communicated via the line associated with the different adjacent cells; the at least one first line analog signal, the at least one second line analog signal, and the at least one third line analog signal, differ with respect to which of the first image, the second image, or the third image they are intended to be used to generate; the at least one first line analog signal, the at least one second line analog signal, and the at least one third line analog signal, differ only with respect to which of the first image, the second image, or the third image they are intended to be used to generate; the at least one first line analog signal, the at least one second line analog signal, and the at least one third line analog signal, differ in terms of resolution; the at least one first line analog signal, the at least one second line analog signal, and the at least one third line analog signal, differ in terms of sensitivity; the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is combined with at least the portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal that corresponds with the another line associated with the other cells, by being averaged; the different adjacent cells include all cells of a pixel; the different adjacent cells include a subset of cells of a pixel; the different adjacent cells are of a same pixel; the different adjacent cells are of different pixels; the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is combined with at least the portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal that corresponds with the another line associated with the other cells, after being output via different sampling circuits; the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is combined with at least the portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal that corresponds with the another line associated with the other cells, after not being output via different sampling circuits; the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is combined with at least the portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal that corresponds with the another line associated with the other cells, before analog-to-digital conversion thereof; the different adjacent cells are part of a same pixel; the different adjacent cells are part of different pixels; at least one of the first resolution, the second resolution, or the third resolution, includes a one-half vertical resolution; at least one of the first resolution, the second resolution, or the third resolution, includes a one-half horizontal resolution; at least one of the first resolution, the second resolution, or the third resolution, includes a full resolution may be blended; the different adjacent cells include green cells of a same pixel; the different adjacent cells include green cells of adjacent pixels; the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is combined with at least a portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal that corresponds to another line associated with other cells of the image sensor corresponding with the same color of light, by being combined before being communicated over respective lines; or the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal that corresponds to the line associated with the different adjacent cells of the image sensor, is combined with at least a portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal that corresponds to another line associated with other cells of the image sensor corresponding with the same color of light, by being combined after being communicated over respective lines.
  16. 16 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the at least one third line analog signal is communicated over the line in parallel with the at least portion of the at least one fourth line analog signal being communicated over the another line.
  17. 17 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that the other cells include other adjacent cells that are adjacent to each other and correspond with the same color of light.
  18. 18 . An apparatus, comprising: an image sensor including a plurality of cells including: a first cell having a first photodiode generating a first analog signal, and a second cell having a second photodiode generating a second analog signal, for being utilized to generate at least a portion of one or more line analog signals; a line in communication with the plurality of cells, the line communicating the one or more line analog signals; at least one analog-to-digital channel in communication with the line, the at least one analog-to-digital channel receiving at least one of the one or more line analog signals for conversion thereof, where the at least one analog-to-digital channel outputs a first line digital signal and a second line digital signal; and circuitry in communication with the at least one analog-to-digital channel, the circuitry receiving at least one of the first line digital signal or the second line digital signal, for image generation; wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first cell and the second cell of the image sensor correspond with a same color of light, and the apparatus is subject to: for a first image, a first sampling for which the first analog signal and the second analog signal generated by the first and second cells corresponding with the same color of light are sampled and combined before any gain is applied thereto; and for a second image, a second sampling for which at least one of the first analog signal or the second analog signal is sampled without being combined such that the combining of the first analog signal and the second analog signal does not occur before any gain is applied thereto.
  19. 19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that: the first and second cells correspond with a first row and the line includes a first column line; the plurality of cells further include a third cell having a third photodiode generating a third analog signal, and a fourth cell having a fourth photodiode generating a fourth analog signal, where the third cell and the fourth cell of the image sensor correspond with the same color of light, and the third and fourth cells are part of a second row and are in communication with the first column line; the plurality of cells further include a fifth cell having a fifth photodiode generating a fifth analog signal, and a sixth cell having a sixth photodiode generating a sixth analog signal, where the fifth cell and the sixth cell of the image sensor correspond with the same color of light, and the fifth and sixth cells are part of the first row and are in communication with a second column line; the plurality of cells further include a seventh cell having a seventh photodiode generating a seventh analog signal, and an eighth cell having an eighth photodiode generating a eighth analog signal, where the seventh cell and the eighth cell of the image sensor correspond with the same color of light, and the seventh and eighth cells are part of the second row and are in communication with the second column line; for a third image, a third sampling is performed for which: the first analog signal and the second analog signal generated by the first and second cells are combined to form a first row/first column combined signal, and the third analog signal and the fourth analog signal generated by the third and fourth cells are combined to form a second row/first column combined signal, such that: during a first time period: a first gain is applied to the first row/first column combined signal to generate and communicate to the first column line a first-gain amplified first row/first column signal, and the first gain is applied to the second row/first column combined signal to generate and communicate to the first column line a first-gain amplified second row/first column signal that is combined with the first-gain amplified first row/first column signal, to generate a first-gain amplified combined first column signal; during a second time period, after the first time period: a second gain is applied to the first row/first column combined signal to generate and communicate to the first column line a second-gain amplified first row/first column signal, and the second gain is applied to the second row/first column combined signal to generate and communicate to the first column line a second-gain amplified second row/first column signal that is combined with the second-gain amplified first row/first column signal, to generate a second-gain amplified combined first column signal; the fifth analog signal and the sixth analog signal generated by the fifth and sixth cells are combined to form a first row/second column combined signal, and the seventh analog signal and the eighth analog signal generated by the seventh and eighth cells are combined to form a second row/second column combined signal, such that: during the first time period: the first gain is applied to the first row/second column combined signal to generate and communicate to the second column line a first-gain amplified first row/second column signal, and the first gain is applied to the second row/second column combined signal to generate and communicate to the second column line a first-gain amplified second row/second column signal that is combined with the first-gain amplified first row/second column signal, to generate a first-gain amplified combined second column signal that is combined with the first-gain amplified combined first column signal, before analog-to-digital conversion; during the second time period: the second gain is applied to the first row/second column combined signal to generate and communicate to the second column line a second-gain amplified first row/second column signal, and the second gain is applied to the second row/second column combined signal to generate and communicate to the second column line a second-gain amplified second row/second column signal that is combined with the second-gain amplified first row/second column signal, to generate a second-gain amplified combined second column signal that is combined with the second-gain amplified combined first column signal, before analog-to-digital conversion.
  20. 20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that: for a third image, a third sampling is performed for which the first analog signal and the second analog signal generated by the first and second cells corresponding with the same color of light are sampled and combined before any gain is applied thereto, the third sampling resulting in a combination of analog signals sourced from a number of cells that is larger than that for the first sampling and that involve cells from a plurality of rows and columns; in response to detecting user input to capture a photographic scene, a plurality of the third images are generated and the first image is generated; the third images are each generated by applying a first gain and a second gain in serial before a column read out of a first result thereof to at least one of a first analog-to-digital channel or a second analog-to-digital channel of the at least one analog-to-digital channel, where only a subset of the third images are selected based on a content thereof; the first image is generated by applying the first gain before a column read out of a second result thereof to at least one of the first analog-to-digital channel or the second analog-to-digital channel without applying the second gain, and further by applying a third gain and a fourth gain in parallel after the column read out of the second result to at least one of the first analog-to-digital channel or the second analog-to-digital channel; and at least a portion of the subset of the third images are combined to generate at least one synthetic image, and at least a portion of the at least one synthetic image is combined with at least a portion of the first image, to generate another synthetic image.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 18/930,887 filed Oct. 29, 2024, which is a continuation in part, by virtue of the removal of subject matter (that was either expressly disclosed or incorporated by reference in one or more priority applications), with the purpose of claiming priority to and including herewith the full express and incorporated disclosure of 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, which, at the time of the aforementioned Nov. 7, 2014 filing, included (either expressly or by incorporation) a combination of the following applications, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes: 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, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,137,455 (which incorporated by reference 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);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;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;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;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; andU.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. To accomplish the above, U.S. patent Ser. No. 18/930,887 is a continuation in part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/646,581, entitled “IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH ZERO INTERFRAME TIME,” filed Apr. 25, 2024, which in turn 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, now U.S. Pat. No. 12,003,864, 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, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,025,831, 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, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,652,478, 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. 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, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to digital photographic systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for high-dynamic range images. BACKGROUND 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. SUMMARY A system, method, and computer program product are provided for high-dynamic range images. In use, a first pixel attribute of a first pixel is received and a second pixel attribute of a second pixel is received. Next, a scalar based on the first pixel attribute and the second pixel attribute is identified. Finally, the first pixel and the second pi