Image pickup apparatus including a plurality of pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion element and an amplifier whose output is prevented from falling below a predetermined level
US6963371B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The output voltages of dark pixels and optical black (OB) pixels are different between a row including a pixel which receives strong light and another row. An image formed upon receiving a strong light spot suffers whitish bands on the right and left of the spot. To solve this problem, this invention provides an image pickup apparatus including a pixel containing a photodiode which converts a photo-signal into a signal charge and accumulates the signal charge and an amplifier transistor which amplifies the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode, and a control element adapted to limit the output of the amplifier transistor so as to prevent the output from falling to below a determined voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.