EP0833502A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Compact image capture device with local image storage
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1997-09-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-09-13
Abstract
Abstract The present image capture device incorporates an array of photodetectors that are spaced apart to provide unused space. An integral current mirror is formed in the unused space 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. An analog-to-digital circuit and a non-volatile memory circuit are to receive the produced voltage and to store the voltage until the memory circuit is addressed. All or part of the memory circuits may be addressed to output all or a segment of the voltages that represent a captured image. Combining the image capture device with a unique lenslet array forms an extremely compact optical array camera. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Marshall C/O Eastman Kodak Company Meyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:55
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/80; H10F39/806; H10F39/8063; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/55; H04N25/00; H04N25/40; H04N25/41; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/766; H04N25/77; H04N25/771; G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 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,
digitize, and store 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
76 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; a corresponding plurality of analog-to-digital
converters, each connected to an associated
current multiplier; and a corresponding plurality of storage
devices connected to receive the digital output of a
corresponding analog-to-digital converter for
storing the provided output signal..
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 wavelength 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, amplifying, digitizing, and storing
the digitized output signals; and a lens array positioned so as to focus the
wavelengths 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 stored as a
function of its sensed wavelength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 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 with the output of the current
mirror being forwarded to a digitizing and memory means
located adjacent to an associated current mirror for
storage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The photosensor array according to Claim 5
and further comprising: a correlated double sampling circuit connected
to receive the output signal of an associated multiplying
current mirror and for providing its output to said
analog-to-digital converter and said memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The photosensor array according to Claim 6
and further comprising: row and column addressing means for
connecting the output from an addressed memory means
to the data bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 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 a stored
representation of the image.
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
31 words
The photosensor array according to Claim 5
and further comprising: a data bus; and row and column select means for connecting
the output from said memory means to said data bus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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