Patent US5643358A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6486808B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6486808B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data signal amplifier with automatically controllable dynamic signal range
Assignee: Huelke Rebecca MK
•
Filing: 2001-10-16
•
Granted: 2002-11-26
•
Expires: 2021-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A preamplifier stage with dynamically controllable signal gain in a data signal processing circuit that includes a downstream analog-to-digital signal converter. The level of the data signal subsequent to its preamplification is monitored and the gain of the preamplifier stage is dynamically adjusted in response to such data signal transcending one or more predetermined thresholds. Hence, the effective dynamic range of the preamplifier stage is extended, thereby also effectively extending the dynamic range of the overall system beyond that to which it would have otherwise been limited by the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital signal converter. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a preamplifier is used in an X-ray imaging system such as that using flat panel solid state imaging devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Seppi
- 👤 Edward Shapiro
- 👤 George Zentai
- 👤 Richard Colbeth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:47
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/124; H03M1/129; H03M1/18; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/76; H04N25/00; H04N25/30; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with a dynamically controllable dynamic signal range, comprising: an input terminal for conveying an input data signal having a data signal charge associated therewith; an output terminal for conveying an output data signal corresponding to said input data signal; amplification and processing circuitry, coupled between said input and output terminals and including preamplification circuitry with a variable feedback capacitance associated therewith, that receives a gain control signal and said input data signal and generates said output data signal, wherein a ratio of said output and input data signals is a function of said data signal charge and feedback capacitance and is responsive to said gain control signal; and control circuitry, coupled between said output terminal and said amplification and processing circuitry, that monitors said output data signal and controls said variable feedback capacitance via said gain control signal, wherein said variable feedback capacitance is changed when said output data signal transcends a predetermined signal threshold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with a dynamically controllable dynamic signal range, comprising: an input terminal for conveying an input data signal having a data signal charge associated therewith; an output terminal for conveying an output data signal corresponding to said input data signal; amplification and processing circuitry, coupled between said input and output terminals and including preamplification circuitry with a variable feedback capacitance associated therewith, that receives a gain control signal and said input data signal and generates said output data signal, wherein a ratio of said output and input data signals is a function of said data signal charge and feedback capacitance and is responsive to said gain control signal; and control circuitry, coupled between said output terminal and said amplification and processing circuitry, that monitors said output data signal and controls said variable feedback capacitance via said gain control signal, wherein said variable feedback capacitance is changed when said output data signal transcends a predetermined signal threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said amplification and processing circuitry comprises a differential amplifier having input and output terminals with said variable feedback capacitance coupled between said amplifier input and output terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said amplification and processing circuitry further comprises sample-and-hold circuitry, coupled to said differential amplifier, that samples said output data signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said variable feedback capacitance comprises a plurality of switched capacitor circuits coupled in parallel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said variable feedback capacitance comprises a variable capacitor coupled in parallel with one or more switched capacitor circuits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said control circuitry comprises a comparator circuit that compares said output data signal to a reference signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, coupled to said output terminal, that converts said output data signal to a digital data signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with a dynamically controllable dynamic signal range, comprising: input means for conveying an input data signal having a data signal charge associated therewith; output means for conveying an output data signal corresponding to said input data signal; amplifier and processor means, including preamplifier means with a variable feedback capacitance associated therewith, for receiving a gain control signal and said input data signal and generating said output data signal, wherein a ratio of said output and input data signals is a function of said data signal charge and feedback capacitance and is responsive to said gain control signal; and controller means for monitoring said output data signal and controlling said variable feedback capacitance via said gain control signal, wherein said variable feedback capacitance is changed when said output data signal transcends a predetermined signal threshold.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with a dynamically controllable dynamic signal range, comprising: input means for conveying an input data signal having a data signal charge associated therewith; output means for conveying an output data signal corresponding to said input data signal; amplifier and processor means, including preamplifier means with a variable feedback capacitance associated therewith, for receiving a gain control signal and said input data signal and generating said output data signal, wherein a ratio of said output and input data signals is a function of said data signal charge and feedback capacitance and is responsive to said gain control signal; and controller means for monitoring said output data signal and controlling said variable feedback capacitance via said gain control signal, wherein said variable feedback capacitance is changed when said output data signal transcends a predetermined signal threshold.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus including an X-ray imaging system, comprising: an X-ray imaging device that provides a plurality of pixel data signals having respective data signal charges associated therewith; amplification and processing circuitry, coupled to said X-ray imaging device and including preamplification circuitry with a plurality of variable feedback capacitances associated therewith, that receives one or more gain control signals and said plurality of pixel data signals and generates a plurality of output data signals corresponding respectively to said plurality of pixel data signals, wherein respective ratios of respective ones of said pluralities of output and pixel data signals are functions of corresponding respective ones of said data signal charges and feedback capacitances and are responsive to respective ones of said one or more gain control signals; and control circuitry, coupled to said amplification and processing circuitry, that monitors said plurality of output data signals and controls said plurality of variable feedback capacitances via said one or more gain control signals, wherein respective ones of said plurality of variable feedback capacitances are selectively changed when one or more of said plurality of output data signals transcend one or more predetermined signal thresholds.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus including an X-ray imaging system, comprising: an X-ray imaging device that provides a plurality of pixel data signals having respective data signal charges associated therewith; amplification and processing circuitry, coupled to said X-ray imaging device and including preamplification circuitry with a plurality of variable feedback capacitances associated therewith, that receives one or more gain control signals and said plurality of pixel data signals and generates a plurality of output data signals corresponding respectively to said plurality of pixel data signals, wherein respective ratios of respective ones of said pluralities of output and pixel data signals are functions of corresponding respective ones of said data signal charges and feedback capacitances and are responsive to respective ones of said one or more gain control signals; and control circuitry, coupled to said amplification and processing circuitry, that monitors said plurality of output data signals and controls said plurality of variable feedback capacitances via said one or more gain control signals, wherein respective ones of said plurality of variable feedback capacitances are selectively changed when one or more of said plurality of output data signals transcend one or more predetermined signal thresholds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said amplification and processing circuitry comprises a plurality of differential amplifiers having respective input and output terminals with respective ones of said plurality of variable feedback capacitances coupled between said respective amplifier input and output terminals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said amplification and processing circuitry further comprises sample-and-hold circuitry, coupled to said plurality of differential amplifiers, that samples said plurality of output data signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each one of said plurality of variable feedback capacitances comprises a plurality of switched capacitor circuits coupled in parallel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each one of said plurality of variable feedback capacitances comprises a variable capacitor coupled in parallel with one or more switched capacitor circuits.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said control circuitry comprises a plurality of comparator circuits that compare respective ones of said plurality of output data signals to one or more respective reference signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, coupled to said amplification and processing circuitry, that converts said plurality of output data signals to a plurality of digital data signals.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus including an X-ray imaging system, comprising: X-ray imaging means for providing a plurality of pixel data signals having respective data signal charges associated therewith; amplifier and processor means, including preamplifier means with a plurality of variable feedback capacitances associated therewith, for receiving one or more gain control signals and said plurality of pixel data signals and generating a plurality of output data signals corresponding respectively to said plurality of pixel data signals, wherein respective ratios of respective ones of said pluralities of output and pixel data signals are functions of corresponding respective ones of said data signal charges and feedback capacitances and are responsive to respective ones of said one or more gain control signals; and controller means for monitoring said plurality of output data signals and controlling said plurality of variable feedback capacitances via said one or more gain control signals, wherein respective ones of said plurality of variable feedback capacitances are selectively changed when one or more of said plurality of output data signals transcend one or more predetermined signal thresholds.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus including an X-ray imaging system, comprising: X-ray imaging means for providing a plurality of pixel data signals having respective data signal charges associated therewith; amplifier and processor means, including preamplifier means with a plurality of variable feedback capacitances associated therewith, for receiving one or more gain control signals and said plurality of pixel data signals and generating a plurality of output data signals corresponding respectively to said plurality of pixel data signals, wherein respective ratios of respective ones of said pluralities of output and pixel data signals are functions of corresponding respective ones of said data signal charges and feedback capacitances and are responsive to respective ones of said one or more gain control signals; and controller means for monitoring said plurality of output data signals and controlling said plurality of variable feedback capacitances via said one or more gain control signals, wherein respective ones of said plurality of variable feedback capacitances are selectively changed when one or more of said plurality of output data signals transcend one or more predetermined signal thresholds.
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) | 2005-11-25 | 2006-05-27 | 2006-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-25 | 2010-05-27 | 2010-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-25 | 2014-05-27 | 2014-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |