Device and method for detecting an optical signal
US6396048B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical detector has at least one image sensor element that generates an image sensor element output signal according to the illumination incident on the element. A readout amplifier for the one or each image sensor element is switchable between a plurality of amplification stages for amplifying the respective image sensor element output signal. An amplification switch is provided for comparing the image sensor element output signal with at least one given threshold value before the signal is amplified by the readout amplifier and for switching between the amplification stages of the readout amplifier depending on the result of the comparison. The optical detector has a first output signal indicating the amplified image sensor element output signal and a second output signal indicating the amplification stage to which the amplifier is switched.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.