Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Reexamination Certificate
2005-11-01
2005-11-01
Le, Que T. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
C250S208100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06960757
ABSTRACT:
Vertical-color-filter pixel sensors having simplified wiring and reduced transistor counts are disclosed. In an embodiment, a single line is used for reference voltage, pixel reset voltage, and column-output signals in a VCF pixel sensor. In another embodiment, row-reset signals and row-enable signals are sent across a line that is shared between adjacent rows in an array of VCF pixel sensors. The present invention also provides an optimized layout for a VCF pixel sensor with shared row-reset, row-enable, reference voltage and column-output lines as well as a VCF pixel sensor in which source-follower voltage, source-follower amplifier voltage and row-enable signals all share a common line. These combined line embodiments can be used with a single column-output line as well as two row-enable lines. The embodiments can also be implemented in a VCF pixel sensor without a row-enable transistor.
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Hannebauer Robert S.
Keller Glenn J.
Merrill Richard B.
Tornes James
Foveon, Inc.
Le Que T.
Sierra Patent Group Ltd.
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