Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controlled circuit
Reexamination Certificate
2006-06-28
2008-09-02
Epps, Georgia Y. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controlled circuit
C250S208100, C250S2140RC, C348S294000, C348S297000, C348S308000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07420154
ABSTRACT:
A pixel cell allows both correlated double sampling (CDS) and automatic light control (ALC) operations through a non-destructive, parallel readout. An image sensor may include an array of pixel cells, some or all of which include a photosensor with two readout circuits attached; peripheral circuitry can sample charges generated from the photosensor through one readout circuit, then perform array readout through the other. One readout circuit connected to the photosensor provides a non-destructive readout of the generated charge. The other readout circuit can, for example, be a multiple-transistor circuit that transfers charge from the photosensor to a floating diffusion node for readout. The image sensor's readout circuitry may thus monitor the light reaching the photosensor of the cell to determine when to read out signals from the entire array.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4734776 (1988-03-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5751005 (1998-05-01), Wyles et al.
patent: 6140630 (2000-10-01), Rhodes
patent: 6166768 (2000-12-01), Fossum et al.
patent: 6175383 (2001-01-01), Yadid-Pecht et al.
patent: 6563540 (2003-05-01), Trevino et al.
patent: 2005/0001143 (2005-01-01), Rhodes
U.S. Appl. No. 10/689,635, filed Oct. 2003, Rhodes.
Dickstein & Shapiro LLP
Epps Georgia Y.
Legasse Jr. Francis M
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
LandOfFree
Pixel circuit with non-destructive readout circuit and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pixel circuit with non-destructive readout circuit and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pixel circuit with non-destructive readout circuit and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3992078