Patent US6078037A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6078037A
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Active pixel CMOS sensor with multiple storage capacitors
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1998-04-16
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Granted: 2000-06-20
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Expires: 2018-04-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for improving dynamic rays and motion representation in digital imaging. A light sensitive element such as a photo diode is employed to sense a light level at a surface during a period of time. A plurality of storage elements are associated with the light sensitive element but electrically segregated therefrom by a plurality of sampling transistors by enabling the sampling transistors between the particular storage element and the light sensitive element in a predetermined way. Its dynamic range can be extended and since readout between exposures is not required, exposure may be taken in closer temporal proximity thereby improving motion representation.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A. Booth, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:59
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/18; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/77; H04N25/771; H10F39/80; H10F39/803
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
An apparatus comprising: a photosensitive element; a plurality of storage elements each associated with the photosensitive element; a reset transistor coupled between a power supply and the photosensitive element; and a plurality of sampling transistors, each of the sampling transistors coupled between the photosensitive element and a storage element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
49 words
An apparatus comprising: a photosensitive element; a plurality of storage elements each associated with the photosensitive element; a reset transistor coupled between a power supply and the photosensitive element; and a plurality of sampling transistors, each of the sampling transistors coupled between the photosensitive element and a storage element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of storage elements are capacitors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each sampling transistor is responsive to an independent sampling signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: a control logic unit coupled to the sampling transistors to generate the sampling signal for each sampling transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: an assertion of a sampling signal for a first sampling transistor and an assertion of a sampling signal for a second sampling transistor overlap in time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein an assertion of a sampling signal for a second sampling transistor occurs less than a readout time after an assertion of a sampling signal for a first sampling transistor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
A system comprising: an image sensing array having a plurality of photosensitive elements, at least one photosensitive element having associated therewith a plurality of storage elements; a readout circuit to retrieve a value stored in each of the plurality of storage elements; and a memory coupled to the readout circuit to retain a representation of an image corresponding to the values read out.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
A system comprising: an image sensing array having a plurality of photosensitive elements, at least one photosensitive element having associated therewith a plurality of storage elements; a readout circuit to retrieve a value stored in each of the plurality of storage elements; and a memory coupled to the readout circuit to retain a representation of an image corresponding to the values read out.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the image sensing array further comprises: a plurality of sampling transistors, one sampling transistor coupled between each photosensitive element, at least one of the corresponding storage elements; and a control logic circuit that controls the assertion of the sampling signal to each of the plurality of sampling transistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the control logic circuit asserts a first sampling signal corresponding to a first sampling transistor coupled between a first photosensitive element and a first storage element and asserts a second sampling signal corresponding to a second sampling transistor coupled between the first photo element and a second storage element such that a first period of assertion of the first sampling signal overlaps a second period of assertion of a second sampling signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the first period of assertion is shorter than the second period of assertion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the control logic circuit asserts a first sampling signal corresponding to a first sampling transistor coupled between a first photosensitive element and a first storage element and asserts a second sampling signal corresponding to a second sampling transistor coupled between the first photo element and a second storage element such that a first period of assertion of the first sampling signal is followed less than a read out time by a second period of assertion of a second sampling signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the readout circuit reads out the first storage element during the second period of assertion.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
64 words
A method comprising the steps of: exposing a light sensitive element to light; asserting a first sampling signal to cause a first storage element to retain a voltage corresponding to the light level at the light sensitive element; and asserting a second sampling signal to cause a second storage element to retain a voltage corresponding to the light level at the light sensitive element.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
64 words
A method comprising the steps of: exposing a light sensitive element to light; asserting a first sampling signal to cause a first storage element to retain a voltage corresponding to the light level at the light sensitive element; and asserting a second sampling signal to cause a second storage element to retain a voltage corresponding to the light level at the light sensitive element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the first asserting step and the second asserting step overlap in time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the first asserting step and the second asserting step occur within less than a readout time of one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of beginning a read out of the first storage element while the second sampling signal is asserted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-20 | 2003-12-20 | 2004-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-20 | 2007-12-20 | 2008-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-20 | 2011-12-20 | 2012-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |