Image sensors generating digital signals from light integration processes
US6587145B1 · kind B1 · utility
24Cited by
15References
28Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F39/18
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a generic solution for direct readout of the charge signals from the photodetectors in an image sensor to minimize possible signal distortions. The disclosed image sensor uses a time measurement circuit for each of the photodetectors. The time elapsed for each of the photodetectors to reach a reference signal is measured and converted to a digital representation that is subsequently readout as the digital signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.