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US 8,803,061 B2Granted
Circuitry and method for collecting image array data with separate addressing and dynamic clamping of pixels to allow for faster pixel data readout and full removal of pixel charges
AssigneeVarian Medical Systems International AG
InventorsMichael Stamm, Harold Mikula, Daniel Morf, Heinrich Riem, Victor Steinlin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Circuitry and method for collecting image array data in which pixels are addressed and dynamically clamped separately. In accordance with one embodiment, pixels are addressed and clamped during different time intervals, thereby allowing faster pixel data readout while still allowing sufficient time to remove all pixel charges.
Claims17
An apparatus including an image array, comprising:
- a plurality of bias lines to convey a common bias voltage;
- a plurality of data lines to convey a plurality of data signals;
- a plurality of address lines to convey a plurality of address signals;
- a plurality of reference lines to convey a common reference voltage;
- a plurality of clamp lines to convey a plurality of clamp control signals;
- and
- a plurality of pixels disposed along a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each pixel includes
- a photodiode coupled to one of said plurality of bias lines,
- a switch transistor including first and second switch electrodes coupled to said photodiode and one of said plurality of data lines, respectively, and a switch control electrode coupled to one of said plurality of address lines, and
- a clamp transistor including first and second clamp electrodes coupled to said photodiode and one of said plurality of reference lines, respectively, and a clamp control electrode coupled to one of said plurality of clamp lines.
7 more elements
An apparatus including a pixel for an image array, comprising:
- a bias line to convey a bias voltage;
- a data line to convey a data signal;
- an address line to convey an address signal;
- a reference line to convey a reference voltage;
- a clamp line to convey a clamp control signal;
- a photodiode coupled to said bias line;
- a switch transistor including first and second switch electrodes coupled to said photodiode and said data line, respectively, and a switch control electrode coupled to said address line;
- and
- a clamp transistor including first and second clamp electrodes coupled to said photodiode and said reference line, respectively, and a clamp control electrode coupled to said clamp line.
6 more elements
A method for collecting image data, comprising:
- providing power to an image array comprising
- a plurality of bias lines to convey a common bias voltage,
- a plurality of data lines to convey a plurality of data signals,
- a plurality of address lines to convey a plurality of address signals,
- a plurality of reference lines to convey a common reference voltage,
- a plurality of clamp lines to convey a plurality of clamp control signals, and
- a plurality of pixels disposed along a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each pixel includes
- a photodiode coupled to one of said plurality of bias lines,
- a switch transistor including first and second switch electrodes coupled to said photodiode and one of said plurality of data lines, respectively, and a switch control electrode coupled to one of said plurality of address lines, and
- a clamp transistor including first and second clamp electrodes coupled to said photodiode and one of said plurality of reference lines, respectively, and a clamp control electrode coupled to one of said plurality of clamp lines;
- applying said plurality of address signals to said image array;
- and
- applying said plurality of clamp control signals to said image array.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.