Patent · US Expired

Active pixel sensor array reset

US7142240B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
10References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 17, 2000
Grant dateNov 28, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 13, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N25/7795
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The method and apparatus for resetting an Active Pixel Sensor (APS) array comprises a controller for sequentially pre-resetting groups of one or more sensors in the array and then simultaneously resetting all of the sensors. The groups may be formed from one or more adjacent or non-adjacent individual sensors, rows or columns of sensors. The apparatus may further include a detector for sensing the bias voltage present on the array substrate in order for the controller to determine the number of sensors in the groups being reset. This method and apparatus assure that current flow is kept at a fairly steady level to avoid large variations in current flow that may disrupt other functioning circuits on the substrate including latch-up.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.