Interconnected array of photosensors for simultaneously sensing light intensities at each of a number of locations
US4785191A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 1987 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F30/222
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An array for sensing the relative intensity of electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of locations employs a network of photodiodes and non-photoresponsive diodes. A first terminal of each photodiode, e.g. the anode, is electrically connected to a common point which is one terminal of the array. The non-photoresponsive diodes are connected in like-polarity series. The second terminal of each photoresponsive diode is connected to a different connection of non-photoresponsive diodes in the string. The array is scanned with a voltage ramp signal and each change in current flow indicates an illuminated diode. The particular voltage at which current flow changes discloses which photodiode is illuminated. Embodiments of the novel array can be made monolithically without a significant number of conductor cross overs. Monolithic embodimetns of the array may be conveniently formed from monocrystalline semiconductors and thin films of amorphous and polycrystalline semiconductors such as amorphous silicon and electrodeposited cadmium telluride-containing semiconductors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.