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US 2014/0275783 A1Published application
Minimize image sensor i/o and conductor counts in endoscope applications
AssigneeOlive Medical Corporation
InventorLaurent Blanquart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure extends to systems and methods for reducing the area of an image sensor by employing bi-directional pads used for both image data issuance and configuration command reception and internal supply voltage generation, for reducing the number of conductors in an endoscope system.
Claims36
An endoscopic device comprising:
- a CMOS image sensor having an area sufficient to be located near a tip of a distal end of the endoscopic device;
- a plurality of on-chip registers for configuring the image sensor operation;
- and
- a plurality of pads having an output state and an input state for sending and receiving data;
- wherein the pads automatically switch between the output state and the input state;
- wherein when the pads are in the output state image data is output from the image sensor during a rolling-readout time frame and wherein when the pads are in the input state they receive control commands for the operation of the image sensor.
3 more elements
An endoscopic system comprising:
- An endoscope comprising:
- an image sensor disposed near a tip of a distal end of a lumen of the endoscope;
- a plurality of on-chip registers for configuring the image sensor operation;
- and
- a plurality of pads having an output state and an input state for sending and receiving data;
- wherein the pads automatically switch between the output state and the input state wherein when the pads are in the output state image data is output from the image sensor during a rolling-readout time frame and wherein when the pads are in the input state they receive control commands for the operation of the image sensor;
- a plurality of on-chip registers used to configure sensor operation;
- wherein a plurality of the pads are incorporating bi-direction data pads that output issue image data during a defined portion of the frame timing, and output other types of data during another portion of the frame;
- and
- wherein the pads switch direction and receive commands from the external camera system during a third defined time period during the specific frame time period.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.