Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controlled circuit
Reexamination Certificate
2006-10-31
2006-10-31
Luu, Thanh X. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controlled circuit
C250S2140AG, C348S246000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07129457
ABSTRACT:
Imaging arrays typically include thousands or millions of photodetectors that convert sensed light into corresponding electric signals, which are ultimately converted into digital image signals for recording or viewing. One problem with conventional imaging arrays concerns faulty photodetectors, which produce erroneous image signals that ultimately degrade the quality of resulting images. Accordingly, the present inventors devised new imaging arrays including redundant photodetectors to compensate for faulty ones. One exemplary embodiment includes photodetectors that are substantially smaller than conventional photodetectors and that are arranged into two or more groups, with the photodetectors in each group coupled to produce a single group image signal. If the group image signal for a group falls below some threshold level indicative of a defective or malfunctioning photodetector, the group image signal is amplified to compensate for the loss.
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Cloud Eugene H.
McElroy David J.
Luu Thanh X.
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
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