Light receiving device with controllable sensitivity and spatial information detecting apparatus using the same
US7034274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/894
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A light receiving device using a new method of controlling sensitivity and a spatial information detecting apparatus using the same technical concept are provided. This light receiving device comprises a photoelectric converter for receiving a light at a light receiving surface and generating amounts of electric charges corresponding to an intensity of received light; electrodes formed on the photoelectric converter; a charge collection area induced in the photoelectric converter by applying a control voltage to the electrodes to collect at least part of the electric charges generated in the photoelectric converter; a charge ejector for outputting the electric charges from the charge collection area; and a sensitivity controller for controlling the number of the electrodes, to which the control voltage is applied, to change size of the charge collection area in the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter. As compared with conventional ones, this light receiving device is of a relatively simple structure with an increased aperture ratio and excellent in S/N ratio.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.