Micro power micro-sized CMOS active pixel

Details Micro power micro-sized CMOS active pixel Micro power micro-sized CMOS active pixel

1999-10-14

2002-05-14

Lee, John R. (Department: 2878)

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Photocell controlled circuit

C250S2140RC, C348S308000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06388242

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
Active pixel sensors are well known in the art. A basic active pixel sensor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,515. An active pixel sensor typically includes a plurality of pixel circuitry units. Each unit, or “pixel” includes a photoreceptor, a buffer, and a select transistor. Some means of resetting the pixel is also provided.
It is desirable to make each pixel as small as possible to enable more pixels to fit on a single chip. For example, a desirable size in current technology is 5×5 &mgr;m
2
. It is also desirable to keep the supply voltages low as possible. For example, it would be useful if an active pixel sensor could operate from a single 1.5 volt battery. This provides limitations on the way in which such a device can operate.
SUMMARY
The present application features a new pixel structure which has certain advantages, and can operate using relatively low power.
The present application defines an active pixel unit, that has a charge accumulating part, having a capability of accumulating charge therein; a photoreceptor, connected to said charge accumulating part, and changing an amount of charge therein based on an applied received charge; a reset transistor, having its drain and gate connected together, and connected to reset said charge accumulating part; and a select transistor, also having its drain and gate connected together, and connected to select an output of said charge accumulating part.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5471515 (1995-11-01), Fossum et al.
patent: 5880460 (1999-03-01), Merrill
patent: 6097022 (2000-08-01), Merrill et al.
patent: 6140630 (2000-10-01), Rhodes

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Micro power micro-sized CMOS active pixel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Micro power micro-sized CMOS active pixel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Micro power micro-sized CMOS active pixel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2891615