Redundant imaging systems
US7129457B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F39/803
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Imaging arrays typically include thousands or millions of photodetectors that convert sensed light into corresponding electric signals, which are ultimately converted into digital image signals for recording or viewing. One problem with conventional imaging arrays concerns faulty photodetectors, which produce erroneous image signals that ultimately degrade the quality of resulting images. Accordingly, the present inventors devised new imaging arrays including redundant photodetectors to compensate for faulty ones. One exemplary embodiment includes photodetectors that are substantially smaller than conventional photodetectors and that are arranged into two or more groups, with the photodetectors in each group coupled to produce a single group image signal. If the group image signal for a group falls below some threshold level indicative of a defective or malfunctioning photodetector, the group image signal is amplified to compensate for the loss.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.