EP0825764A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Compact image capture device
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1997-08-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-08-08
Abstract
Abstract The image capture device incorporates an array of photodetectors (100), utilizing an integral current mirror formed at each photodetector location to increase photodetector current output. A correlated double sampling circuit is also formed at each photodetector location to sum the current generated by the current mirror over each exposure period, so as to produce a voltage proportional to the radiation intensity incident at each photodetector location. The correlated double sampling circuit is used to reduce noise in the photodetected signal and to eliminate the effect of dark current. Combining the image capture device with a unique lenslet array (210) forms an extremely compact optical array camera. An embodiment with a mechanical shutter is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Marshall Meyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/60; H04N25/616; H04N23/00; H04N23/10; G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A compact image capture device
comprising: an array of spaced apart radiation sensors for
providing output signals that are a function of the
incident radiation from an image onto each radiation
sensor; array electronics dispersed in the spaces
between the spaced apart radiation sensors for
receiving the provided output signals so as amplify
the provided output signals to facilitate image
capture; and a lens array positioned so as to focus the
radiation of an image to be captured onto said
radiation sensors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
A compact image capture device
according to Claim 1 and further comprising: a mechanical shutter positioned proximate
said lens array for controlling which images are
radiated onto said array of radiation sensors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A compact image capture device
according to Claim 1 wherein said array electronics
is comprised in part of a plurality of current
multipliers, corresponding in number to the number
of radiation sensors, each connected to an
associated radiation sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
An image capturing device comprising: an array of spaced apart groups of
radiation sensors for providing output signals that
are a function of the frequencies of incident
radiation from an image onto each radiation sensor; array electronics dispersed in the spaces
between the spaced apart groups of radiation sensors
for receiving and amplifying their provided output
signals to facilitate image capture; and a lens array positioned so as to focus the
frequencies of radiation from an image to be
captured onto associated ones of the radiation
sensors in each of the groups of said radiation
sensors such that each radiation sensor in a group
provides an output signal that is a function of its
sensed frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A photosensor array of current generating
photodetectors each in combination with an associated
multiplying current mirror located adjacent thereto and
comprised of one input transistor and at least two output
transistors where the generated photocurrent from each
photodetector is multiplied by an integer equal to the
number of output transistors in the associated
multiplying current mirror and to provide the multiplied
current as an output signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The photosensor array according to Claim 5
and further comprising: correlated double sampling circuits connected
to receive the output signal of an associated multiplying
current mirror for providing an output that minimizes the
dark current and noise from the current generating
photodetectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The photosensor array according to Claim 6
and further comprising: row and column select means for connecting
the output from the correlated double sampling
circuits to a data bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The photosensor array according to
Claim 6 in combination with a camera wherein said
photosensor array is exposed to the image to be
captured by said camera so as to provide multiplied
correlated double sampled current signals that
represent said image to the data bus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
The photosensor array according to
Claim 5 and further comprising, a lenslet array
having a number of lenslets corresponding in number
to the number of current generating photodetectors
each lenslet positioned so as to focus incident
radiation onto an associated current generating
photodetector, each lenslet being a
refractive/diffractive lenslet wherein the center of
the mechanical optical axis of each lenslet is
displaced relative to the displacement of its
associated photosensor's radial distance from the
optical axis of the lenslet located in the center of
the array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A photosensor array of current generating
photodetectors each in combination with an associated
multiplying current mirror located adjacent thereto and
comprised of one input transistor and at least one output
transistor having an emitter area which is equal to an
integer multiple of the input transistor emitter area
where the generated photocurrent from each photodetector
is multiplied by an integer equal to the ratio of the
output divided by the input transistor emitter area so as
to provide an integer multiplied current as an output
signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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