Patents by Inventor Boyd A. S. Fowler

Boyd A. S. Fowler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7432968
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit includes a plurality of transistors. The image sensor includes a controller for controlling operation of the plurality of pixel circuits, wherein the controller is configured to cause at least one of the transistors in each pixel circuit to be placed in an accumulation mode and then switched from the accumulation mode to a strong inversion mode, thereby reducing 1/f noise of the pixel circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Boyd A. S. Fowler
  • Patent number: 7414653
    Abstract: An active pixel sensor comprises a photodiode providing a photodiode output current indicative of an intensity of light incident the photodiode and an integrator circuit electrically coupled to the photodiode. The integrator circuit is configured to provide a pixel voltage representing an integration of the photodiode output current when the photodiode is exposed to light and dark leakage current through the photodiode when the photodiode is not exposed to light. The integrator circuit is configured to set a reverse bias voltage on the photodiode and respond to at least one control input to set the reverse bias voltage to a first level. The active pixel sensor comprises a feedback loop configured to receive the pixel voltage and control the integrator circuit to adjust the reverse bias voltage to substantially reduce the dark leakage current through the photodiode to a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boyd A. S. Fowler, Janusz K. Balickl