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EP0169411A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image sensor

Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1985-07-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-07-02
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Abstract

Abstract An image sensor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of linearly arranged line sensors (18. 18) each including a plurality of linearly arranged picture elements (11) acting as photodetecting elements, wherein the photodetecting elements (1101) positioned at the ends of the linear arrangement are smaller in width in the direction of the linear arrangement than the photodetecting elements (11) positioned in the central portion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hajime C/O Patent Division Sato
  • 👤 Mamoru C/O Patent Division Mizuguchi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 14:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/36; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/03; H04N1/0308; H04N1/031; H04N1/0318; H04N1/04; H04N1/19; H04N1/1903; H04N1/191; H04N1/192; H04N1/193; H04N1/1934; H04N1/40; H04N1/401; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/024; H04N2201/028; H04N2201/03; H04N2201/031; H04N2201/03104; H04N2201/03108; H04N2201/03112; H04N2201/03141; H04N2201/03145

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 62 words
An image sensor, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged line sensors (18) each including a plurality of linearly arranged picture elements (11) acting as photodetecting elements, characterized in that the photodetecting elements (1101) positioned at the ends of the linear arrangement are smaller in width in the direction of the linear arrangement than the photodetecting elements (11) positioned in the central portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 62 words
An image sensor, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged line sensors (18) each including a plurality of linearly arranged picture elements (11) acting as photodetecting elements, characterized in that the photodetecting elements (1101) positioned at the ends of the linear arrangement are smaller in width in the direction of the linear arrangement than the photodetecting elements (11) positioned in the central portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 49 words
The image sensor according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising a supplement means for making the output signal of the photodetection element (1101) positioned at the end of the linear arrangement equal in level to the output signal of the photodetection element (11) positioned in the central portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
The image sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that the supplement means is an amplifier (12) connected to the photodetection element (1101) positioned at the end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 50 words
The image sensor according to claim 2, characterized by further comprising, together with the supplement means, a means for converting the output signals generated from the photodetection elements into signals of a time-divided single row, said supplement means (26) being connected to the output terminal of said converting means (25).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 90 words
The image sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that the supplement means (26) comprises an amplifier (20) and a means for adjusting the gain of the amplifier (20) in at least two stages, said gain adjusting means serving to set the gain of the amplifier (20) at a greater value when the output signal of the photodetection element (131) having a smaller width is amplified by the amplifier (20), than when the output signal of the photodetection element (132) having a larger width is amplified by the amplifier (20).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
The image sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that the supplement means (26) comprises an amplifier (20) and a switch means (211, 212), said switch means (211, 212) serving to enable the output signal of the photodetection element (131) having a smaller width to be selectively amplified by said amplifier (20).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The image sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that the photodetection elements are formed on a single semiconductor substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
The image sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that the amplifier (12) is formed, together with the photodetection elements (11, 1101), integrally with the semiconductor substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 46 words
The image sensor according to claim 8, characterized by further comprising a means for converting the output signals of the photodetection elements into signals of a time-divided single row, said supplement means being connected between the photodetection elements of a smaller width and said converting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 64 words
The image sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that the supplement means is provided by the construction whereby the photodetection elements (1101) at the ends are formed longer in the direction perpendicular to the arranging direction of the photodetection elements to make the photodetection element (1101) at the end substantially equal in area to the photodetection element (11) positioned in the central portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 60 words
An image sensor, comprising a line sensor (18) including a plurality of linearly arranged photodetection elements formed in a semiconductor substrate, characterized in that at least one of the photodetection elements (1101), positioned at at least one end of the linear arrangement being smaller in width in the arranging direction of the photodetection elements than the other photodetection elements (11).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 60 words
An image sensor, comprising a line sensor (18) including a plurality of linearly arranged photodetection elements formed in a semiconductor substrate, characterized in that at least one of the photodetection elements (1101), positioned at at least one end of the linear arrangement being smaller in width in the arranging direction of the photodetection elements than the other photodetection elements (11).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 83 words
An image sensor, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged line sensors (18) each including a plurality of linearly arranged photodetection elements, characterized in that at least one of the photodetection elements (1101), positioned at at least one end of the linear arrangement is smaller in width in the arranging direction of the photodetection elements than the other photodetection elements (11), and where the line sensors are arranged such that the photodetection elements (1101) having a smaller width are allowed to face each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 83 words
An image sensor, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged line sensors (18) each including a plurality of linearly arranged photodetection elements, characterized in that at least one of the photodetection elements (1101), positioned at at least one end of the linear arrangement is smaller in width in the arranging direction of the photodetection elements than the other photodetection elements (11), and where the line sensors are arranged such that the photodetection elements (1101) having a smaller width are allowed to face each other.

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