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US6498623B1
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System and method for generating variable-length timing signals in an electronic imaging device
Assignee: FlashPoint Technology Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-04
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Granted: 2002-12-24
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Expires: 2017-11-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention includes a system and method for generating variable-length timing signals in an electronic imaging device. A digital camera device includes an electronic image sensor which requires a complex set of timing signals to effectively capture image data. The digital camera therefore also includes timing generation circuitry which generates a set of precise timing signals for a variable-length frame time necessary to control and synchronize the electronic image sensor within the digital camera. The present invention includes a transfer substrate charge (Xsub) source circuit and a frame time source circuit, each containing a downcounter. The point in time when the downcounters reach zero is available as a precise and programmable timing reference. Both the Xsub time and frame time source circuits are loaded from registers under software control.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Anderson
- 👤 John Carl Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/73; H04N25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for generating variable frame-rates in an electronic imaging device, comprising: a frame time period for capturing an image frame; a transfer substrate charge time period initiated at a beginning of said frame-time period for keeping said electronic imaging device in a discharge state; an exposure time-period beginning at an end of said transfer substrate charge time period for charging elements of said electronic imaging device; and first and second source circuits coupled to said electronic imaging device for providing time values for any two of said frame time period, said transfer substrate charge time period, and said exposure time period, and for deriving a value for said third time period from said selected two time periods; wherein said provided time values are selected based on existing system conditions to minimize said frame time period and to therefore maximize said frame rate, while avoiding frame skipping.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for generating variable frame-rates in an electronic imaging device, comprising: a frame time period for capturing an image frame; a transfer substrate charge time period initiated at a beginning of said frame-time period for keeping said electronic imaging device in a discharge state; an exposure time-period beginning at an end of said transfer substrate charge time period for charging elements of said electronic imaging device; and first and second source circuits coupled to said electronic imaging device for providing time values for any two of said frame time period, said transfer substrate charge time period, and said exposure time period, and for deriving a value for said third time period from said selected two time periods; wherein said provided time values are selected based on existing system conditions to minimize said frame time period and to therefore maximize said frame rate, while avoiding frame skipping.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic imaging device comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said first source circuit is a transfer substrate charge time source circuit and said second source circuit is a frame time source circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said transfer substrate charge time source circuit and said frame time source circuit comprise downcounters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said downcounters are decremented by a pulse train having said time unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said time periods are multiples of a time unit that is a period of a horizontal drive pulse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said transfer substrate charge time source circuit downcounter and said frame time source circuit downcounter are loaded from registers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said registers are controlled by a software program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the exposure time period is derived by a difference in the signals generated by said transfer substrate charge time source circuit and said frame time source circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said time values are provided for said transfer substrate change time period and said frame time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said electronic imaging device is a digital camera.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for generating variable frame-rates in an electronic imaging device, comprising: generating a frame time period for capturing an image frame; generating a transfer substrate charge time period initiated at a beginning of said frame time period for keeping said electronic imaging device in a discharge state; generating an exposure time-period beginning at an end of said transfer substrate charge time period for charging elements of said electronic imaging device; and providing first and second source circuits coupled to said electronic imaging device for providing time values for any two of said frame time period, said transfer substrate charge time period, and said exposure time period, and for deriving a value for said third time period from said selected two time periods; wherein said provided time values are selected based on existing system conditions to minimize the frame time period and to therefore maximize the frame rate, while avoiding frame skipping.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for generating variable frame-rates in an electronic imaging device, comprising: generating a frame time period for capturing an image frame; generating a transfer substrate charge time period initiated at a beginning of said frame time period for keeping said electronic imaging device in a discharge state; generating an exposure time-period beginning at an end of said transfer substrate charge time period for charging elements of said electronic imaging device; and providing first and second source circuits coupled to said electronic imaging device for providing time values for any two of said frame time period, said transfer substrate charge time period, and said exposure time period, and for deriving a value for said third time period from said selected two time periods; wherein said provided time values are selected based on existing system conditions to minimize the frame time period and to therefore maximize the frame rate, while avoiding frame skipping.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said electronic imaging device comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said time values are provided for said transfer substrate charge time period and said frame time period.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said first source circuit is a transfer substrate charge time source circuit and said second source circuit is a frame time source circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said transfer substrate charge time source circuit and said frame time source circuit comprise downcounters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said downcounters are decremented by a pulse train having said time unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said time periods are multiples of a time unit that is a period of a horizontal drive pulse.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said transfer substrate charge time source circuit downcounter and said frame time source circuit downcounter are loaded from registers.
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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) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-06-24 | 2006-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | 2010-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-23 | 2014-06-24 | 2014-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |