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US 7,459,663 B2Granted
Image sensor having parallel pixel value readout
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
InventorJeffrey Raynor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, arranged in rows and columns to form a pixel array, each pixel having a pixel output. The image sensor includes at least two column bitlines for each pixel column, each column bitline connected to each pixel output in the pixel column and to a common readout amplifier. In one embodiment, the bitlines are not in the same plane and multiple bitlines are positioned one above the other, maximizing pixel efficiency.
Claims16
An image sensor comprising:
- a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns to form a pixel array, each pixel having a pixel output to output a pixel value;
- at least two column bitlines for each pixel column, each column bitline connected to each pixel output in the pixel column for parallel readout of the pixel value on the pixel output of each pixel;
- and
- a common readout amplifier connected to each column bitline.
1 more element
An electronic device including:
- an image sensor comprising
- a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns to form a pixel array, each pixel having a pixel output to output a pixel value,
- at least two column bitlines for each pixel column, each column bitline connected to each pixel output in the pixel column for parallel readout of the pixel value on the pixel output of each pixel, and
- a common readout amplifier connected to each column bitline.
1 more element
A method of making an image sensor comprising:
- arranging a plurality of pixels in rows and columns to form a pixel array, each pixel having a pixel output to output a pixel value;
- providing at least two column bitlines for each pixel column, including connecting each column bitline to each pixel output in the pixel column for parallel readout of the pixel value on the pixel output of each pixel;
- and
- connecting a common readout amplifier to each column bitline.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.