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US 6,175,383 B1Granted
Method and apparatus of high dynamic range image sensor with individual pixel reset
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsOrly Yadid-Pecht, Bedabrata Pain, Eric R. Fossum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wide dynamic range image sensor provides individual pixel reset to vary the integration time of individual pixels. The integration time of each pixel is controlled by column and row reset control signals which activate a logical reset transistor only when both signals coincide for a given pixel.
Claims13
An imaging device comprising:
- an array of pixel cells, arranged in columns and rows, each pixel cell comprising a photo-sensitive element capable of generating an output indicative of incoming electromagnetic radiation, a logical reset transistor having a source coupled to control said photo-sensitive element and a drain biased at a potential, a row reset transistor having a gate to receive a row reset signal, a drain to receive a column reset signal, and a source connected to a gate of said logical reset transistor to reset said photo-sensitive element when both said row and column reset signals are high;
- a control circuit coupled to control said array;
- a row reset control element coupled between the control circuit and each pixel cell in said array to produce said row reset signal;
- and
- a column reset control element coupled between said control circuit and each pixel cell in said array to produce said column reset signal, wherein said row and column reset control elements are operable to randomly reset any pixel cell independently.
2 more elements
An imaging device, comprising:
- a substrate;
- and
- an array of pixel cells formed on said substrate and arranged in columns and rows, each pixel cell comprising:
- a photo sensor responsive to input radiation to produce a pixel output signal,
- a first transistor having a source coupled to said photo sensor and a drain coupled to a bias potential, and
- a second transistor having a source coupled to a gate of said first transistor, and a gate coupled to receive a row reset signal, and a drain coupled to receive a column reset signal, wherein said first transistor is on to reset said photo sensor when both said column reset and row reset signals are high.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.