Image sensor
US9024243B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/772
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image sensor includes a plurality of self-resetting pixels including: a mechanism converting detected electromagnetic energy into a proportional electric current; an integrating capacitor including a mechanism for fast charging to a first electric level and for controlled discharging to a second electric level; a mechanism for comparing the controlled discharge; a loopback mechanism, allowing automatic repetition of fast charging and controlled discharging cycles and counting of number of cycles occurring during a determined integration time; a mechanism measuring a residual electric charge present in the integrating capacitor on completion of the integration period; and a calibration mechanism using the measurement mechanism to measure and compensate for operating and production dispersions specific to each pixel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.