With Charge Transfer Type Selecting Register Patents (Class 348/304)
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Patent number: 8023023Abstract: An image sensing apparatus capable of reducing degradation of a signal-to-noise ratio property occurring when a driving frequency of an image sensing element is high, depending on a state of an operation mode. An information table is stored in a memory section, which includes information on a timing of a horizontal transfer driving signal for performing charge transfer in the horizontal direction in an image sensing element, information on a timing of a reset gate signal for performing charge sweep per pixel, and information on a timing of a feed-through sample-hold signal for sample-holding a feed-through section of the output signal of the image sensing element which becomes a black reference per pixel, in association with an operation mode of an image sensing apparatus. The information table associated with the set operation mode is selected from the memory section, and the element is driven based on the information table.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiro Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20110199524Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel array including an optical black region and effective pixel region, and a scanning unit which scans the pixel array. The scanning unit includes a first shift register which scans the optical black region by a shift operation, and a second shift register which scans the effective pixel region by a shift operation. The second shift register starts the shift operation during a first period when the first shift register scans the optical black region, and scans a readout region serving as a partial region of the effective pixel region during a second period following the first period.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyuki Noda, Tetsuya Itano, Koichiro Iwata, Hidekazu Takahashi
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Patent number: 7973844Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup apparatus which allows, when being applied as an element of a solid-state image pickup array, to reduce a non-sensitive region between the adjacent devices, and can thus obtain more accurate imaging results. The solid-state image pickup apparatus comprises a photodetecting section, an output section, a row selecting section, and a column selecting section, and further comprises M waveform shaping circuits as waveform shaping means for shaping the waveforms of row selecting signals. A row selecting signal outputted from the row selecting section is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit and is then inputted into N pixels that constitute an mth row of the photodetecting section.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Masaki Mizoguchi, Seiichiro Mizuno
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Patent number: 7973842Abstract: The invention provides a new method and apparatus for NTSC and PAL image sensors which employs fusion of adjacent row pixel charge samples to generate image data for a row. A variety of fusion schemes are possible for fusing the pixel signals from the adjacent rows. The rows of pixels are scanned so that each scan takes an odd row signal sample and, in some cases, an adjacent even row signal sample when specified conditions are met. One sampled row of the two adjacent rows integrate an image with a first integration period while the other adjacent row integrates an image with a second integration period.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Kwang-Bo Cho, Igor Subbotin, Michael Kaplinsky, Sandor L. Barna, Gary E. Slayton
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Patent number: 7952634Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel array including an optical black region and effective pixel region, and a scanning unit which scans the pixel array. The scanning unit includes a first shift register which scans the optical black region by a shift operation, and a second shift register which scans the effective pixel region by a shift operation. The second shift register starts the shift operation during a first period when the first shift register scans the optical black region, and scans a readout region serving as a partial region of the effective pixel region during a second period following the first period.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoyuki Noda, Tetsuya Itano, Koichiro Iwata, Hidekazu Takahashi
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Patent number: 7932946Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an imaging apparatus capable of reducing image unevenness even if a protective layer including a polarized solvent is used. The imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels each having a conversion element and a TFT connected to the conversion element, a protective layer disposed over the plurality of pixels, a plurality of bias lines each electrically connected to each of the conversion elements, and a plurality of signal lines each electrically connected to each of the TFT. Then, the plurality of bias lines and the plurality of signal lines are alternately disposed at a predetermined interval within a region in the protective layer. Then, the plurality of bias lines is commonly connected through a connecting wiring on the outside of the region in the protective layer, and the connecting wiring is disposed to cross the plurality of signal lines.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takamasa Ishii, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe
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Patent number: 7929035Abstract: A column buffer for use with a pixel cell array includes an amplifier coupled to three read-out circuits in parallel providing a signal corresponding to accumulated photon-generated charge in a pixel cell plus noise, a reset level plus noise, and a pedestal level, respectively. These three signals are used to generate an ultra-low noise signal Di=Si?Pi-1?G*(Ri?Ri-1), wherein S is the sampled signal, P is the pedestal level, R is the reset level, and G is a gain associated with a pixel cell, and wherein i is a frame number greater than 0. The three signals can be read-out simultaneously. In another embodiment, the three signals are obtained from a column buffer having only one output. In this case, the signals are read-out sequentially.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Imagerlabs, Inc.Inventors: Eugene Atlas, Sarit Neter, Kim Loren Johnson
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Patent number: 7920190Abstract: An imaging apparatus and a method using column processing circuits arranged in multiple rows for processing pixels in a pixel array.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Jorgen Moholt, Tore Martinussen
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Patent number: 7893979Abstract: In an XY address type solid-state imager apparatus comprising a solid-state imager having a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged, and horizontal and vertical scanning circuits to read signals of the pixels, the scanning circuits each have a progressive scanning circuit to progressively read pixel signals by a first scanning control signal, and an interlace scanning circuit to read pixel signals with an interlaced manner by a second scanning control signal different from the first scanning control signal, and arbitrarily carries out combining of progressive reading and interlace reading in one frame in accordance with a combination of the respective scanning control signals, and reads pixel signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Yuichi Gomi, Seisuke Matsuda, Yukihiro Kuroda, Keiichi Mori
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Patent number: 7864237Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels each converting the amount of incident light into an electric signal and disposed in a plurality of columns to be deviated from the neighboring pixels in a row direction or in a column direction; a plurality of analog-to-digital converting units each converting an analog signal obtained from a corresponding pixel into a digital signal and disposed along a column in parallel; a plurality of column signal lines outputting the analog signals of the pixels of each of the plurality of pixel columns, disposed along the pixel columns, and making pairs; and a plurality of switching circuit units each selecting one column signal line of a corresponding pair of column signal lines. In the solid-state imaging device, the analog-to-digital converting units are connected to the output sides of the switching circuit units.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Yoshinori Muramatsu
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Patent number: 7760260Abstract: A solid state imaging apparatus which includes a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction and every two vertically or horizontally adjacent ones of the plurality of pixels have color filters of different colors. In a predetermined period of time, charge signals received from ones of the plurality of pixels arranged in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction which include color filters of the same color (represented by circles) are sequentially output.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takahiko Murata, Takumi Yamaguti, Toshiya Fujii, Shigetaka Kasuga
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Patent number: 7755816Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of external signal input means; an external input unit having a switch each connected between the external signal input means and a read line and electrically connected for output from the external signal input means on the read line; a shift register receiving an external control signal and an external clock signal and synchronized with the external clock signal to shift successively the external control signal to provide shifted data and output the external control signal to electrically connect the switches in accordance with the shifted data; an output circuit receiving the external control signal from the shift register and externally outputting the external control signal; and a frequency divider circuit dividing the external clock signal in frequency to generate and output an internal clock signal, wherein the output circuit is synchronized with the internal clock signal to externally output the external control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Yamada, Toshimitsu Tamagawa
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Patent number: 7710480Abstract: A scanning circuit of an image sensor using light sensor circuits each representing a unit pixel and producing a sensor signal corresponding to a current flowing in a photoelectric converting element, in which pixel signals are saturated by previously turning on the light sensor circuits and sequentially reading saturated pixel sensor signals, achieving stable and high-speed reading-out of the sensor signals from the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Furukawa, Sukeyuki Shinotsuka, Jiro Kurita
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Patent number: 7688371Abstract: This invention provides an image pickup device comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, a semiconductor area to which a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, a transfer switch for transferring the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit to the semiconductor area, and a read unit for reading out the signal from the semiconductor area, and a drive circuit for outputting a first level at which the transfer switch is set in an OFF state, a second level at which the transfer switch is set in an ON state, and a third level between the first level and the second level, wherein the drive circuit controls to hold the third level for a predetermined time while the transfer switch is changing from the ON state to the OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Koizumi, Tetsunobu Kochi, Hiroki Hiyama
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Patent number: 7675559Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensing apparatus comprising a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels each having a photodiode and a floating diffusion area for temporarily storing a charge signal that has accumulated in the photodiode; an output unit that outputs the charge signal, which has been transferred to the floating diffusion area, successively pixel by pixel; a scanning unit having a reset mode for resetting the photodiodes and floating diffusion areas successively by prescribed unit, a first transfer mode for transferring the charge signal, which has accumulated in the photodiodes, to the floating diffusion areas successively by the prescribed unit at prescribed time intervals upon lapse of a prescribed period of time from start of reset, and a second transfer mode for transferring the charge signal, which has been transferred to the floating diffusion areas, to the output unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takafumi Kishi, Nobuhiro Takeda
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Patent number: 7671914Abstract: A method and associated architecture for dividing column readout circuitry in an active pixel sensor in a manner which reduces the parasitic capacitance on the readout line. In a preferred implementation, column readout circuits are grouped in blocks and provided with block signaling. Accordingly, only column output circuits in a selected block significantly impart a parasitic capacitance effect on shared column readout lines. Block signaling allows increasing pixel readout rate while maintaining a constant frame rate for utility in large format high-speed imaging applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.Inventor: Lin-Ping Ang
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Patent number: 7643077Abstract: In order to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus, which is an apparatus excellent in reading speed, high S/N, high tone level, and low cost, the photoelectric conversion apparatus has a photoelectric conversion circuit section comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements, matrix signal wires, and gate drive wires arranged on a same substrate in order to output parallel signals, a driving circuit section for applying a driving signal to the gate drive wire, and a reading circuit section for converting the parallel signals transferred through the matrix signal wires to serial signals to output them, wherein the reading circuit section comprises at least one analog operational amplifier connected with each of the matrix signal wires, transfer switches for transferring output signals from the respective matrix signal wires, output through each amplifier, reading capacitors, and reading switches for successively reading the signals out of the reading capacitors in the forType: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadao Endo, Noriyuki Kaifu, Toshiaki Sato, Masakazu Morishita
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Patent number: 7639297Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided, which comprises a plurality of image pickup areas formed on a same semiconductor chip and arranged in the horizontal and the vertical directions, each image pickup area having a plurality of pixels arranged in the horizontal and the vertical directions, a plurality of vertical scanning circuits which sequentially scan pixels in the vertical direction to scan a plurality of image pickup areas in the vertical direction independently from each other, a plurality of lenses, at least one of which is provided in each of the plurality of image pickup areas and which focuses light to form an image on the image pickup areas, and a driving circuit which drives the plurality of vertical scanning circuits so that at least a part of a scanning period of each of the plurality of vertical scanning circuits overlaps with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoya Yoneda, Shunsuke Inoue, Tetsunobu Kochi, Hidekazu Takahashi, Masanori Ogura
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Patent number: 7630000Abstract: An electronic blurring correction apparatus in the present invention includes a solid-state image-capturing device, which has an image-capturing section with photodiodes and vertical transfer CCD and an accumulation section with a vertical transfer CCD and a horizontal transfer CCD, wherein a first image transferred from the image-capturing section is accumulated in the vertical transfer CCD, relative blurring between the first image and a second image which is already accumulated in the horizontal transfer CCD is corrected by shifting the first image within the vertical transfer CCD and shifting the second image within the horizontal transfer CCD, and thereafter a composite image, which is obtained by combining the first image and the second image, is accumulated as a new second image in the horizontal transfer CCD.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignees: Olympus Imaging Corp., Olympus CorporationInventor: Masafumi Yamasaki
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Patent number: 7626622Abstract: A solid state image pickup device 110 is provided with: a plurality of pixel units 10 that are arranged two-dimensionally and include a photoelectric conversion unit (photodiode PD) that converts light into a charge and an amplification unit (amplifier Q13) that converts the charge into a voltage and outputs it; a plurality of noise signal removal units (noise cancellation units 40) that are provided one for each column and remove noises contained in the voltage outputted from the amplifier Q31 of the pixel unit 10 belonging to the column; and a plurality of column amplification units (column amplifiers 70) that amplify the voltage outputted from the amplifier Q13 of the pixel unit 10 and output the amplified voltage to the noise cancellation unit 40, and enables increase in sensitivity and reduction in noise with low power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shigetaka Kasuga, Takumi Yamaguchi, Takahiko Murata, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga, Ryohei Miyagawa, Atsushi Ueta
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Patent number: 7623154Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic blurring correction apparatus, comprising: a solid-state image-capturing device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form; an angular speed sensor which detects blurring of an optical image formed on the solid-state image-capturing device; and a CPU which computes an optimum exposure time, time-divides this exposure time so that the time-divided exposure time becomes equal to or shorter than limit exposure time which is determined according to the focal distance for a shooting lens and in which blurring does not occur, and causes the solid-state image-capturing device to perform exposure a plurality of times, wherein the solid-state image-capturing device uses a horizontal transfer register and a vertical transfer register provided therein to shift and correct relative blurring among a plurality of images obtained in time-shared shooting, adds up the plurality of images after the blurring is corrected, and thereafter outputs the corrected images.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.Inventor: Masafumi Yamasaki
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Patent number: 7623174Abstract: For a first region being a portion of a storage section (202), a read-out pulse produced by a progressive scanning shift register (206) is used to perform a progressive read-out operation of reading out signals from all rows of image-storing pixels (221). For a second region including an entire region other than the first region, a read-out pulse produced by a skip scanning shift register (205) is used to perform a skip read-out operation of reading out signals from intermittently-selected rows of image-storing pixels (221). The progressive scanning shift register (206) produces the read-out pulse so that the first region moves every frame and an entire region of the storage section (202) is scanned over a plurality of frames.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Katsuhiro Kanamori, Hiroyoshi Komobuchi, Hideto Motomura, Kenji Kondo, Takeo Azuma
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Patent number: 7598994Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device configured by a plurality of pixels having different photoelectric conversion characteristics on each side of the inflection point of the photoelectric conversion characteristic, prior to the image picking-up for recording, resetting the image pickup device twice by using different voltages with the image pickup device being light shielded, generating inflection point data showing an infection point by using imaged data obtained after reset operation, and afterward correcting the inflection points variation by using the inflection point data can correct the variation of the photoelectric conversion characteristic in a substantially real time. And it can provide a less expensive and high image quality image pickup apparatus and a method for taking a high quality image.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Koichi Kamon
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Patent number: 7542084Abstract: An imaging apparatus for outputting image signals by effecting photoelectric conversion of images formed at an optical system by an image sensor having a color filter array having various spectral transmittance disposed on a front surface thereof includes an image size setting means for setting one selected from a plurality of previously provided image reducing rates for determining an image size of image signals output from the image sensor; and a readout control means for controlling pixel locations at which image signals are read out from the image sensor, wherein the readout control means reads out image signals from the image sensor in accordance with a readout rule corresponding to the image reducing rate set by the image size setting means.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobuyuki Watanabe
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Publication number: 20090109312Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel array including an optical black region and effective pixel region, and a scanning unit which scans the pixel array. The scanning unit includes a first shift register which scans the optical black region by a shift operation, and a second shift register which scans the effective pixel region by a shift operation. The second shift register starts the shift operation during a first period when the first shift register scans the optical black region, and scans a readout region serving as a partial region of the effective pixel region during a second period following the first period.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyuki Noda, Tetsuya Itano, Koichiro Iwata, Hidekazu Takahashi
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Patent number: 7488926Abstract: Multiple pixels within a pixel array share a common output line. Each output line from the array is connected to one or more storage elements. Each of the storage elements receives a counter signal corresponding to levels of a reference voltage within each of the pixels. When an output line signal reaches a predetermined value, a storage element receiving that predetermined value latches the current value of the counter signal. Outputs from pixels of multiple columns in the array may be time-multiplexed onto the output lines or may form a serial scan chain connected to a single output line.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Derek L. Knee, Rajeev Badyal
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Patent number: 7486321Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric converting elements, each of which is provided with an electric charge output port, and a group of channel selection switches that turn on and off between the electric charge output port and a common signal line. A resolution of the image sensor is determined by ON-OFF patterns of a signal used for designating a resolution, at a timing of a rising or falling edge of a signal for setting a timing for designating the resolution during the period that a signal for setting a period for designating the resolution is on.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Ikeno, Tatsuya Sato
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Patent number: 7474346Abstract: An image processing device is provided. The image processing device includes a first shift register connected to a line for reading out an image signal that selects a line where a signal in response to carriers accumulated in an accumulation state for generating carriers in the photo diode in response to received light is read out, regarding each line of the matrix by scanning a plurality of lines in a direction that is perpendicular to each line of a matrix and is designated, a second shift register connected to a line for clearing an image signal where the residual carriers in the solid-state image-pickup element are discharged from the solid-state image-pickup element, and an output circuit that outputs a reset signal to the first shift register when a direction of scanning lines of the matrix is changed.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Masahiro Kanai
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Patent number: 7440017Abstract: In order to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus, which is an apparatus excellent in reading speed, high S/N, high tone level, and low cost, the photoelectric conversion apparatus has a photoelectric conversion circuit section comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements, matrix signal wires, and gate drive wires arranged on a same substrate in order to output parallel signals, a driving circuit section for applying a driving signal to the gate drive wire, and a reading circuit section for converting the parallel signals transferred through the matrix signal wires to serial signals to output them, wherein the reading circuit section comprises at least one analog operational amplifier connected with each of the matrix signal wires, transfer switches for transferring output signals from the respective matrix signal wires, output through each amplifier, reading capacitors, and reading switches for successively reading the signals out of the reading capacitors in the forType: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadao Endo, Noriyuki Kaifu, Toshiaki Sato, Masakazu Morishita
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Patent number: 7440018Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising: a semiconductor substrate defining a two-dimensional surface; a multiplicity of photo electric conversion elements arranged in a plurality of rows and in a plurality of lines in a light receiving region of the semiconductor substrate and each accumulating signal electric charges; a vertical electric charge transfer device having a plurality of vertical electric charge transfer channels arranged vertically between rows of the photo electric conversion elements and a plurality of transfer electrodes horizontally arranged over the vertical electric charge transfer channels, wherein the vertical electric charge transfer device transfers the signal electrical charges accumulated by the photo eclectic conversion elements by setting a transfer line transferring vacant signals on an up stream side in a vertical direction of every transfer line transferring the signal electrical charges; reading out parts, each corresponding to each one of the multiplicity of the photo elecType: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Hideki Wako, Katsumi Ikeda
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Patent number: 7382407Abstract: The invention provides a new method and apparatus for NTSC and PAL image sensors which employs fusion of adjacent row pixel charge samples to generate image data for a row. A variety of fusion schemes are possible for fusing the pixel signals from the adjacent rows. The rows of pixels are scanned so that each scan takes an odd row signal sample and, in some cases, an adjacent even row signal sample when specified conditions are met. One sampled row of the two adjacent rows integrate an image with a first integration period while the other adjacent row integrates an image with a second integration period.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Kwang-Bo Cho, Igor Subbotin, Michael Kaplinsky, Sandor L. Barna, Gary E. Slayton
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Patent number: 7368696Abstract: The plural signal chains of an imaging device are calibrated in the digital domain. The pixel array of the imaging device includes a row of calibration pixels. The column circuitry, prior to reading a row of pixels, reads the row of calibration pixels in order to obtain a set of column offsets. The row of pixels is read and processed to produce a corresponding plurality of digital values. The set of column offsets are applied to the digital values to compensate for response differences among the signal chains.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Steven Shaw
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Patent number: 7324146Abstract: An image processing device and method are provided. In a method of reading an image signal from a solid-state image-pickup element where a plurality of unit pixels including a transistor for detecting a light signal and a photo diode are arranged in a matrix, shift data applied to a line for reading out an image signal, which outputs a signal for selecting a line for reading out an image signal, is output to a shift register connected to a line for reading out an image signal, when the number of lines between line for reading out an image signal and line for clearing an image signal are equal to or less than the number of lines in the matrix and the condition for picking an image up is changed.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Masahiro Kanai
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Patent number: 7298405Abstract: An image sensing apparatus which reduces noise generated by shift operation and power consumption is disclosed. The shift register of a horizontal scanning circuit is divided into a plurality of partial shift registers. Shift clock control circuits control supply of a shift clock to the partial shift registers individually for each partial shift register.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumihiro Inui, Tetsuya Itano, Masanori Ogura
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Patent number: 7262801Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a sensor including a plurality of pixels each including a light receiving element, and a scanning circuit for reading out signals in time sequence from the plurality of pixels; and a drive circuit which supplies pulses for driving the scanning circuit, wherein the drive circuit is so arranged to output at least a first pulse and a second pulse smaller than the first pulse, the drive circuit supplying the first pulse to the scanning circuit when a first resolution is selected, and supplying the first pulse and the second pulse to the scanning circuit when a second resolution lower than the first resolution is selected.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Components, Inc.Inventor: Toshihiro Saika
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Patent number: 7129977Abstract: A high-speed image pickup method and controller of an image pickup device are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Je-suk Lee, Si-Young Chin
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Patent number: 7042980Abstract: An object of this invention is to implement a radiographic apparatus which can stably obtain a moving image at a high speed by suppressing a voltage variation in GND or power supply line and omitting the standby period for each frame. To achieve this object, during a period after electrical signals from conversion elements (S1-1–S1-3) in one control interconnection (G1) are transferred and read for each row by a driving circuit section (SR1) before electrical signals in the next control interconnection are transferred and read, the read-accessed conversion elements are refreshed for each row, thereby eliminating the necessity for preparing a refresh period in acquiring continuous moving images. In addition, since the conversion elements are refreshed for each row, the dark current (transient current) in the refresh mode can be made small as compared to a case wherein all the conversion elements are refreshed at once. With this arrangement, the voltage variation in GND or power supply line is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tadao Endo
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Patent number: 7030920Abstract: A selector circuit having a shift register for sequentially outputting a select pulse and a decoder circuit for designating a desired block of a plurality of blocks divided from the scan circuit, so as to allow the scan circuit to start to output the select pulse from a head position in the designated desired block.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidetoshi Hayashi, Seiji Hashimoto, Osamu Yuki, Toshiaki Endo
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Patent number: 6982759Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprising an imaging area having unit cells, a vertical driving circuit, signal processing circuits, a horizontal driving circuit, and an output circuit. Each of the unit cells including first and second photoelectric conversion/storage sections, first and second charge readout circuits, a potential detecting circuit, a reset circuit, and an address circuit. The solid-state imaging device has a first operation mode in which the first and second charge readout circuits are driven at substantially the same timing by the vertical driving circuit, the charges stored in the first and second photoelectric conversion/storage sections are transferred to and added together in the charge detecting section, and the potential detecting circuit detects the added charges, generates and transmits a potential corresponding to an amount of detected charges to the vertical signal line, and outputs the potential from the output circuit via the signal processing circuits.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Hiroshige Goto
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Patent number: 6980244Abstract: There are provided a solid state image pickup device in which the accumulation time of each pixel when an electronic shutter operation is performed is constant, and a high shutter speed can be set, a driving method therefor, and a camera. A solid state image pickup device (20) having means 3, 4, 7, and 11 which simultaneously perform reading operation of one row and an electronic shutter operation for the other row in a one-pixel period P is constituted.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kazuya Yonemoto, Takahisa Ueno, Ryoji Suzuki, Koichi Shiono
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Patent number: 6972791Abstract: A solid-state camera device having a matrix of pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein a subset of pixels of the entire pixel matrix can be read for display and confirmation of photographic conditions to reduce power consumption and decrease time to display the image. In electronic cameras light is focused on the camera device having pixels and the light energy is used to provide an electric signal from each pixel in proportion to the incident light to provide an image signal. The image signal may be displayed on an attached display such as a liquid crystal display. Because most display have fewer pixels than the camera device, the display can not display image information from each camera device pixel.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Toshikazu Yomeyama
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Patent number: 6961088Abstract: In order to eliminate impairment due to a disconnection and to make driving at high speed possible, a semiconductor device is provided which includes a plurality of pixels, each having a switching element, arrayed two-dimensionally, which includes a plurality of common lines connected to the switching elements arrayed in a direction, and which drives the switching elements. A plurality of driving devices for applying a control signal are connected to the common lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshio Kameshima, Noriyuki Kaifu
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Patent number: 6952228Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided, which comprises a plurality of image pickup areas formed on a same semiconductor chip and arranged in the horizontal and the vertical directions, each image pickup area having a plurality of pixels arranged in the horizontal and the vertical directions, a plurality of vertical scanning circuits which sequentially scan pixels in the vertical direction to scan a plurality of image pickup areas in the vertical direction independently from each other, a plurality of lenses, at least one of which is provided in each of the plurality of image pickup areas and which focuses light to form an image on the image pickup areas, and a driving circuit which drives the plurality of vertical scanning circuits so that at least a part of a scanning period of each of the plurality of vertical scanning circuits overlaps with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoya Yoneda, Shunsuke Inoue, Tetsunobu Kochi, Hidekazu Takahashi, Masanori Ogura
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Patent number: 6947086Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading out the sensor elements of a sensor (1) with a matrix of light-sensitive or X-ray-sensitive sensor elements (S1,2; S1,2 . . . ) which are arranged in rows and columns and generate charges in dependence on the incident quantity of radiation, the switches (3) of the relevant sensor elements being activated via address lines (4, . . . , 8, . . . ) and the charges of the respective activated sensor elements being drained via read-out lines (9, 10, 11, . . . ) so as to be processed further by way of amplifiers (14, . . . , 18, . . . ) and transfer means (19). The invention also relates to a corresponding sensor as well as to an X-ray examination apparatus which includes an X-ray source for emitting an X-ray beam for irradiating an object in order to form an X-ray image, as well as a detector for generating an electrical image signal from said X-ray image.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventors: Walter Rütten, Falko Busse, Norbert Conrads
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Patent number: 6947087Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes unit cells, arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, each having a photodiode for photoelectrically converting incident light to store signal charges, a readout transistor Td for reading out the signal charges and amplifying transistor Tb for amplifying signals readout at a detection node, a plurality of vertical shift registers for generating signal charge readout pulses ESi, DRi, ROi and a voltage switching circuit for setting a voltage VDR of the readout pulse DRi for dynamic range control lower than voltages of both a readout pulse ESi for an electronic shutter and a usual readout pulse ROi. The solid-state imaging device provides excellent images without clipping from a small signal region to large signal region.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshitaka Egawa, Shinji Ohsawa, Yukio Endo, Nobuo Nakamura
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Patent number: 6940552Abstract: To read stable image information by making small in a short time the amount of change in potential at the time the potential of signal wires or sensor bias wires drops a moment, the device is, in the refresh mode of photoelectric conversion pixels, so driven that the timing at which two drive wires are driven overlaps which are sequentially and at least consecutively driven by the control means among drive wires while keeping the signal wires at a reset potential.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Isao Kobayashi, Noriyuki Kaifu, Toshikazu Tamura, Tomoyuki Yagi
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Patent number: 6937277Abstract: This invention relates to a video camera for inputting an image of an object as an electrical signal. This video camera includes a CCD, a clock selector for selecting a clock having a frequency corresponding to a read object region in which pixels are read out from the CCD, a CCD controller for driving the CCD in accordance with the clock having the selected frequency to read out pixels from the read object region, and a monitor for displaying an image on the basis of the pixels read out from the CCD.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuichiro Hattori, Hisataka Hirose
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Patent number: 6937278Abstract: A row driver according to an embodiment drives a shared row-reset bus to one of a select voltage and a boosted voltage to select a row for readout and to reset the pixels in the row, respectively. The boosted voltage is higher than the select voltage. A row select circuit includes PMOS transistors through which a path may be opened between a supply line carrying the select voltage and the bus. A reset enable circuit includes PMOS transistors through which a path may be opened between a supply line carrying the boosted voltage and the bus. In order to prevent a parasitic diode leakage between the two supply lines during reset, the n-wells of the PMOS transistors in the row select circuit may be coupled to the supply line carrying the boost voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Steve Huang, Daniel Van Blerkom
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Patent number: 6914632Abstract: An apparatus for panning and scaling a window in CMOS image sensor is described. The apparatus comprises a pixel array having a plurality of unit pixels, a row driving part, an analog-digital converting part, an address generating part for generating a row address and a column address for the panning and scaling, and a line buffering part for receiving the digital pixel data outputted from the analog-digital converting part and outputting a pixel data according to the column address. According to the apparatus, CMOS image sensor can directly extract a pixel data of a desired resolution and scale offset.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyun-Eun Kim
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Patent number: 6812448Abstract: In a solid-state image-sensing device, an electric signal output from a photoelectric conversion circuit 100 is accumulated in a capacitor C1, and then a MOS transistor T5 is turned on so that the voltage integrated by the capacitor C1 is sampled in a MOS transistor T10. Thereafter, the electric charge obtained through amplification performed by the MOS transistor T10 flows into a capacitor C2, which performs integration so that a voltage commensurate with the integral of the amount of incident light appears at the capacitor C2.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomokazu Kakumoto