CMOS active pixel cell with self reset for improved dynamic range
Patent 6130713 Issued on October 10, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date: 
June 27, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
June 27, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesPixel structure, image sensor using such pixel structure and corresponding peripheral circuitry Method for obtaining a high dynamic range read-out signal of a CMOS-based pixel structure and such CMOS-based pixel structure Energy converter for electromagnetic induction heating units for foodstuffs High sensitivity active pixel with electronic shutter Patent #: 6046444 InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 884204 filed on 06/27/1997US Classes:348/308, Including switching transistor and photocell at each pixel site (e.g., "MOS-type" image sensor)348/297Accumulation or integration time responsive to light or signal intensityExaminersPrimary: Ho, TanInternational ClassH04N 005/335AbstractAn image cell having self-reset which provides improved dynamic range is achieved by having a reset circuit, a comparator circuit and a memory circuit. The image cell operates such that the comparator circuit compares the voltage potential of the image cell with a reference voltage potential. Once the comparator circuit senses that the voltage potential of the image cell transcends the reference voltage potential, the comparator circuit sends a reset signal to the reset circuit. The reset circuit then resets the image cell. Each time the image cell is reset, a reset value is stored in the memory circuit, and the sum of the reset values stored in the memory circuit corresponds to the number of times the image cell has been reset. By resetting the image cell a plurality of times, the dynamic range of a conventional image cell can be increased. | |
