Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
A frame shuttered CMOS image sensor with simultaneous array readout comprising: A) an array of CMOS pixels printed on a silicon substrate, said array defining outside edges, with each pixel comprising: 1) a light sensitive region comprising a photo sensitive diode for converting photons into electrical charge, 2) at least three transistors to permit reading of collected electrical charge for re-setting said photosensitive diode at a re-set charge, and to permit reading of the re-set charge, B) an array of signal and re-set readout capacitors located on said substrate but outside of said pixel array but near at least one of the outside edges, said array of capacitors including one signal capacitor and one re-set readout capacitor for each pixel, C) a plurality of metal conductors printed in said substrate for connecting each pixel in said pixel array with a signal capacitor and a re-set capacitor in said array of signal and re-set readout capacitors, D) a plurality of transistor switches printed in said substrate but outside of said pixel array for isolating said signal and re-set capacitors from each other and from said pixels, E) control circuitry for re-setting simultaneously each of said pixels in said pixel array, for collecting simultaneously re-set signals from each pixel in said pixel array on one of the reset capacitors in said array of readout capacitors and for collecting simultaneously integrated pixel signals from each pixel in said pixel array on one of the signal capacitors in said array of readout capacitors, and F) readout circuitry for reading charges collected on said array of signal capacitors and said at least one array of re-set capacitors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
A frame shuttered CMOS image sensor with simultaneous array readout comprising: A) an array of CMOS pixels printed on a silicon substrate, said array defining outside edges, with each pixel comprising: 1) a light sensitive region comprising a photo sensitive diode for converting photons into electrical charge, 2) at least three transistors to permit reading of collected electrical charge for re-setting said photosensitive diode at a re-set charge, and to permit reading of the re-set charge, B) an array of signal and re-set readout capacitors located on said substrate but outside of said pixel array but near at least one of the outside edges, said array of capacitors including one signal capacitor and one re-set readout capacitor for each pixel, C) a plurality of metal conductors printed in said substrate for connecting each pixel in said pixel array with a signal capacitor and a re-set capacitor in said array of signal and re-set readout capacitors, D) a plurality of transistor switches printed in said substrate but outside of said pixel array for isolating said signal and re-set capacitors from each other and from said pixels, E) control circuitry for re-setting simultaneously each of said pixels in said pixel array, for collecting simultaneously re-set signals from each pixel in said pixel array on one of the reset capacitors in said array of readout capacitors and for collecting simultaneously integrated pixel signals from each pixel in said pixel array on one of the signal capacitors in said array of readout capacitors, and F) readout circuitry for reading charges collected on said array of signal capacitors and said at least one array of re-set capacitors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The sensor as in claim 1 wherein said control circuitry comprises circuitry for storing reset values for the currently integrating frame on one of the two re-set capacitors and for storing the reset values for the previous frame on the other capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor as in claim 1 wherein said pixel array comprises 156 or fewer pixels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor as in claim 1 wherein said pixel array comprises 64 pixels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor as in claim 1 wherein said pixel array comprises and 8.times.8 array.