Image sensor having a pixel array with serial readout
US7940317B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 10, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/772
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The image sensor includes an array of pixels, each pixel having a photo-diode, for providing a pixel voltage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to convert the pixel voltage to a digital value and a memory for storing the digital value. Read circuitry is included for reading out the digital values from the pixels of the array in a predetermined order. The image sensor may be configured such that a counter incorporates the memory, and the counter may be adapted to operate as a shift register. The counters of two or more pixels may be connected to form one or more chains such that digital values can be read out in a bit-serial manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.