Adjustable gain active pixel sensor
US6246436A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/76
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An active pixel sensor. The active pixel sensor includes a photo-diode. The photo-diode conducting charge as a function of the intensity of light received by the photo-diode. The photo-diode includes a diode capacitance which collects charge conducted by the photo-diode which generates a photo-diode voltage. A switched capacitor is connected in parallel with the photo-diode when the photo-diode voltage drops below a pre-determined voltage potential. A capacitance of the switched capacitor adds to the diode capacitance when the switched capacitor is connected. The switched capacitor can be a gate capacitor. The active pixel sensor further includes electronic circuitry to allow a controller to sample the photo-diode voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.