Patent US4967067A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4967067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal read-out circuit which lowers diffusion capacitance by limiting emitting current with resistive elements
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-09
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2009-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A signal reading circuit has amplifiers for respectively receiving a plurality of signals. The circuit reads out the outputs of the amplifiers to a signal line through resistor elements, wherein each resistor element is a resistance when a switching device is conductive.
Inventors
- 👤 Seiji Hashimoto
- 👤 Tamotsu Satoh
- 👤 Shigetoshi Sugawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/767
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells for producing electrical signals in response to incident light: a plurality of storage means for simultaneously reading out signals from said conversion cells and temporarily storing the signals; a plurality of first amplifiers for amplifying outputs of said plurality of storage means; a plurality of resistor means, having resistance values, for restricting outputs of said plurality of first amplifiers; scanning means for changing the resistance values of said plurality of resistor means in order; and a second amplifier for commonly amplifying the signals provided by said plurality of first amplifiers through said plurality of resistor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells for producing electrical signals in response to incident light: a plurality of storage means for simultaneously reading out signals from said conversion cells and temporarily storing the signals; a plurality of first amplifiers for amplifying outputs of said plurality of storage means; a plurality of resistor means, having resistance values, for restricting outputs of said plurality of first amplifiers; scanning means for changing the resistance values of said plurality of resistor means in order; and a second amplifier for commonly amplifying the signals provided by said plurality of first amplifiers through said plurality of resistor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A circuit according to claim 8, wherein said resistor means is a resistance when said switching means is conductive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein said first amplifier is a bipolar transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said storage means comprises a capacitor to hold the signal which is input to said first amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A circuit according to claim 4, further comprising switching means for selectively discharging said capacitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photoelectric conversion cells include a third amplifying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of storage means stores electrical signals of cells of one row.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for selectively disconnecting connections between each of said photoelectric conversion cells and each storage means corresponding to said each cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells for producing electrical signals in response to incident light; a plurality of storage means for simultaneously reading out signals from said plurality of conversion cells and temporarily storing the signals; a plurality of first amplifying means of a quantity less than that of said plurality of storage means, for selectively amplifying outputs of said plurality of storage means; a plurality of resistor means, having resistance values, for restricting outputs of said plurality of first amplifying means; scanning means for changing the resistance values of said plurality of resistor means in order; and a second amplifier for commonly amplifying the signals provided by said plurality of first amplifying means through said plurality of resistor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells for producing electrical signals in response to incident light; a plurality of storage means for simultaneously reading out signals from said plurality of conversion cells and temporarily storing the signals; a plurality of first amplifying means of a quantity less than that of said plurality of storage means, for selectively amplifying outputs of said plurality of storage means; a plurality of resistor means, having resistance values, for restricting outputs of said plurality of first amplifying means; scanning means for changing the resistance values of said plurality of resistor means in order; and a second amplifier for commonly amplifying the signals provided by said plurality of first amplifying means through said plurality of resistor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first amplifying means is an MOS transistor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first amplifying means is a bipolar transistor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said storage means comprises capacitor means coupling said second amplifier and said first amplifying means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said resistor means comprises switching means for selectively supplying a power source to said first amplifying means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said photoelectric conversion cells include a third amplifying means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of storage means stores electrical signals of cells of one row.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising switching means for selectively disconnecting connections between each of said photoelectric conversion cells and each storage means corresponding to said each cell.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |