Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controlled circuit
Reexamination Certificate
2011-08-09
2011-08-09
Wojciechowicz, Edward (Department: 2895)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controlled circuit
C348S308000, C438S057000, C438S073000, C438S378000, C257S225000, C257S292000, C257S379000, C257S459000, C257S462000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07994464
ABSTRACT:
A pixel cell array architecture having a dual conversion gain. A dual conversion gain element is coupled between a floating diffusion region and a respective storage capacitor. The dual conversion gain element having a control gate switches in the capacitance of the capacitor to change the conversion gain of the floating diffusion region from a first conversion gain to a second conversion gain. In order to increase the efficient use of space, the dual conversion gain element gate also functions as the bottom plate of the capacitor. In one particular embodiment of the invention, a high dynamic range transistor is used in conjunction with a pixel cell having a capacitor-DCG gate combination; in another embodiment, adjacent pixels share pixel components, including the capacitor-DCG combination.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5955753 (1999-09-01), Takahashi
patent: 6107655 (2000-08-01), Guidash
patent: 6140630 (2000-10-01), Rhodes
patent: 6160281 (2000-12-01), Guidash
patent: 6204524 (2001-03-01), Rhodes
patent: 6218656 (2001-04-01), Guidash
patent: 6310366 (2001-10-01), Rhodes et al.
patent: 6326652 (2001-12-01), Rhodes
patent: 6333205 (2001-12-01), Rhodes
patent: 6352869 (2002-03-01), Guidash
patent: 6423994 (2002-07-01), Guidash
patent: 6552323 (2003-04-01), Guidash et al.
patent: 6657665 (2003-12-01), Guidash
patent: 6947088 (2005-09-01), Kochi
patent: 7432540 (2008-10-01), McKee
patent: 7683306 (2010-03-01), McKee
patent: 2004/0251394 (2004-12-01), Rhodes et al.
patent: 2005/0167574 (2005-08-01), He et al.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, Feb. 5, 2008.
Dickstein & Shapiro LLP
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
Wojciechowicz Edward
LandOfFree
Dual conversion gain gate and capacitor combination does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dual conversion gain gate and capacitor combination, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dual conversion gain gate and capacitor combination will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2720789