Patent EP0773669A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0773669A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Circuit, pixel, device and method for reducing fixed pattern noise in solid state imaging devices
Assignee: FillFactory NV
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Filing: 1996-10-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An amplifying circuit (5), (55) comprising: an amplifying element (9),(59),(101),(111),(121) and a memory element (10), (60), (102), (112), (122) as well as means to adjust the signal in an output terminal of said amplifying element to a known level, a measure of the corresponding level in a control terminal of said amplifying element being stored on said memory element.
Inventors
- 👤 Bart Dierickx
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/60; H04N25/616; H04N25/67; H04N25/671; H04N25/677; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/767; H04N25/77; H04N25/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An amplifying circuit (5), (55) comprising: an amplifying element (9),(59),(101),(111),(121) and a memory element (10),(60),(102),(112),(122) as well as means to adjust the signal in an output terminal of said amplifying element to a known level, a measure of the corresponding level in a control terminal of said amplifying element being stored on said memory element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device for imaging applications comprising the amplifying circuit (5),(55) as recited in claim 1 and further comprising: - a matrix of active pixels (1,2,3,4),(51),(52),(53),(54) arranged in a geometric configuration, said pixels yielding electrical signal outputs generated by photoelectric conversion, and being adapted for being brought in a state corresponding to an amount of radiation collected on said pixels; - at least one amplifying circuit (5), (55) being common to a group of pixels (1,2),(51),(52) of said matrix; and - an output line (8),(58) being common to the matrix of pixels (1,2,3,4),(51),(52),(53),(54).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as recited in claim 2, wherein said matrix is arranged in columns and rows and wherein each amplifying circuit is common to a group of pixels such as a column or a row in said matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The amplifying circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein said amplifying element is a transistor, said output terminal being the source or drain of said transistor, and said control terminal being the gate of said transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amplifying circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory element is a capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The amplifying circuit as recited in claim 4, wherein said transistor is a transistor of the type of metal oxide semiconductor transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The amplifying circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory element is a non-volatile memory element as used in ROM's, EPROMS, EEPROMS or flash EEPROMS.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pixel, adapted for integration in an imaging device comprising the amplifying circuit as recited in claim 1 and further comprising a radiation sensitive element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pixel as recited in claim 8 further comprising an AC-coupled amplifier with a capacitive feedback circuit (103),(123) in between said amplifying element (101),(121) and said memory element (102),(122).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The pixel as recited in claim 8, wherein said amplifying element (111) has a first terminal being connected to said photosensitive element (110) and a control terminal being connected to said memory element (112), a second terminal of said amplifying element being connected through a capacitor (114) with said first terminal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for reducing noise in a solid state imaging device having a group of active pixels, said method comprising the steps of: - reading out the signal of a pixel (1) in a first state while forcing the output voltage of an amplifying element (9) that is connected to said pixel (1) to a known output voltage thereby defining a first voltage at the output of said amplifying element (9); - subtracting said first voltage at the output of said amplifying element (9) of a second voltage at the output of said amplifying element (9), said second voltage being defined by the output signal of the same pixel in a second state, whereby the output voltage of the amplifying element (9) shifts proportionally to the difference of the signal of said pixel (1) in said first and said second state; - transferring the subtracted signal to an output line that is common for said group; and - repeating this operation for essentially all or part of pixels of the imaging device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of storing said first voltage at the output of said amplifying element on a memory element (10).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 11 or 12, wherein said first and second state of said pixel are read out consecutively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said first state or said second state corresponds to an amount of radiation or light collected on the light sensitive element in said pixel or to the dark condition of said pixel or to the reset state of said pixel.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in any one of the claims 11-14, wherein said known output voltage is derived from a supply voltage of said solid state imaging device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
Use of the circuit or pixel or device as recited in any one of the claims 1 to 10 or of the method as recited in any one of the claims 11 to 15 for a camera system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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