EP0707417A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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An active pixel image sensor
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1995-10-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-10-03
Abstract
Abstract An active pixel image sensor according to the invention includes multiple sensing elements (RD,GRN,BL) and active pixel circuitry (Q1,Q2,Q3) for controlling the capture and transfer of the video signals. The active pixel circuitry is shared by the multiple sensing elements. A plurality of the active pixel image sensors form an imaging array for imaging an object. Preferably, the imaging is in color.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander George Dickinson
- 👤 David Andrew Inglis
- 👤 El-Sayed Ibrarhim Eid
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/77; H04N25/778; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/84
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An active pixel image sensor comprising: a plurality of sensing elements, each configured for capturing a different energy information from an object to be imaged and each being coupled through a respective gating device to first and second shared transistors; said gating device configured for selectively connecting and isolating said respective sensing element to and from first and second shared transistors; said first shared transistor being configured for selectively actuating said sensing elements; and said second shared transistor being configured for selectively outputting energy information captured by said sensing elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said first and second transistors are CMOS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The image sensor according to claim 1, further including a third transistor, said third transistor being connected to said second transistor in a source follower configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said second transistor, in combination with said gating devices, selectively output energy information captured by one of said sensing elements by switching on said second transistor in combination with switching on one of said gating devices corresponding to said one of said sensing elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said each of said sensing elements is configured to capture one of the red, green and blue energy spectrums from said object to be imaged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
209 words
An image sensor array, comprising: A. a plurality of active image sensors, each of said sensors including: reset and access input control lines and a sensor output line; a plurality of sensing elements, each configured for capturing a different portion of energy from an object to be imaged; a plurality of active gating elements configured for selectively gating said sensing elements and transferring energy captured by said sensing elements, said gating elements including a separate transistor for gating each of said sensing elements; a first shared transistor being coupled to said reset line and configured for resetting said sensing element; and a second shared transistor being coupled to said access line and configured for transferring said captured energy from said sensing elements to said sensor output line; B. a controller having a first control line being commonly coupled to a plurality of said reset input lines and a second control line being commonly coupled to a plurality of said access input lines; said controller configured for selectively activating said first and second control lines for selectively resetting said sensing elements and outputting signals from said sensor; and C. an amplifier being commonly coupled to a plurality of said sensor outputs for amplifying said captured energy of said sensing elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image sensor array according to claim 6, wherein said controller further having individual lines coupled to each of said gating elements for selectively turning on said gating element while said access line is actuated to output said captured energy from said respective sensing element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image sensor array according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of sensing elements in each pixel image sensor capture the red, green and blue energy spectrum from said object to be imaged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The image sensor array according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of active image sensors are arrayed in a plurality of rows and columns and said controller includes a decoder configured to activate each of said rows sequentially for producing a colored image of said object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image sensor array according to claim 6, wherein each of said active pixel image sensors further include a third shared transistor being connected to said second shared transistor in a source follower format.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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