Imaging apparatus
US5894129A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/71
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In an imaging apparatus particularly for use in intra-oral dental applications, a solid state imager is arranged to detect X-ray radiation from a source after passing through an object. Prior to irradiation by the source, charge accumulated in the elements of a CCD is clocked from two or more rows into a register such that charges are summed. The register is output via a charge amplifier which sums the charge applied to it to give a relatively large output signal which is amplified and applied to thresholder. Onset of X-ray irradiation is detected when the signal applied to the thresholder exceeds a reference level. A start signal is then transmitted to a control unit to cause image acquisition to begin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.