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US 6,555,805 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for offset reduction in image sensors
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorMorteza Afghahi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Briefly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a circuit for offset reduction in an active pixel sensor array. The circuit includes a voltage regulator to regulate or reset voltage at an output port of the voltage regulator for a pixel of the active pixel sensor array. The circuit further includes at least one programmable device coupled to the regulator, to adjust the reset voltage to reduce the offset by a first value.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- determining an offset for an image sensor;
- and
- reducing the offset by adjusting a reset voltage applied to the image sensor, the reset voltage being adjusted by programming a plurality of programmable circuits configured to sink currents from a reset node where the reset voltage is present.
A method comprising:
- resetting an image sensor, the image sensor being comprised of a plurality of pixels;
- determining an offset voltage for the image sensor, determining the offset voltage including producing a histogram of the output voltages of the plurality of pixels, producing a histogram including imposing a known light intensity on the plurality of pixels;
- and
- reducing the offset voltage by adjusting a reset voltage at a reset node, adjusting the reset voltage including programming a plurality of programmable devices, the programming being based upon the offset voltage.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- asserting a global reset to an array of pixels;
- directing a light on the array of pixels, an intensity of the light being known;
- determining an offset voltage in a voltage signal of the pixels in the array of pixels;
- and
- modifying a current that is sunk from a reset node based upon the offset voltage, modifying the current including programming a plurality of programmable devices.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.