Image sensor
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorDonald Baxter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The image sensor includes an array of pixels, each pixel having a photo-diode, for providing a pixel voltage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to convert the pixel voltage to a digital value and a memory for storing the digital value. Read circuitry is included for reading out the digital values from the pixels of the array in a predetermined order. The image sensor may be configured such that a counter incorporates the memory, and the counter may be adapted to operate as a shift register. The counters of two or more pixels may be connected to form one or more chains such that digital values can be read out in a bit-serial manner.
Claims26
1-15. (canceled)
An image sensor comprising:
- an array of pixels, each pixel comprising a photo-diode for providing a pixel voltage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to convert the pixel voltage to a digital value and a memory for storing the digital value;
- and
- a reading circuit for reading out the digital values from the pixels of the array in a predetermined order.
An electronic device comprising:
- an image sensor including
- an array of pixels, each pixel comprising a photo-diode for providing a pixel voltage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to convert the pixel voltage to a digital value and a memory for storing the digital value, and
- a reading circuit for reading out the digital values from the pixels of the array in a predetermined order.
A method of making an image sensor comprising:
- forming an array of pixels, each pixel comprising a photo-diode for providing a pixel voltage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to convert the pixel voltage to a digital value and a memory for storing the digital value;
- and
- providing a reading circuit for reading out the digital values from the pixels of the array in a predetermined order.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.