The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 18, 2020
Filed:
Dec. 17, 2018
Omnivision Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Hiroaki Ebihara, San Jose, CA (US);
Rui Wang, San Jose, CA (US);
Zheng Yang, San Jose, CA (US);
Eiichi Funatsu, San Jose, CA (US);
OmniVision Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels. A bit line coupled to a column of pixels is separated in to a plurality of electrically portions that are coupled to corresponding portions of rows of the pixel array. A first switching circuit of a readout circuit is coupled to the bit line. A first switching circuit is configured to couple a bit line current source to the bit line to provide a DC current coupled to flow through the bit line and through the first switching circuit during a readout operation of a pixel coupled to the bit line. A second switching circuit is configured to couple and ADC to the bit line during the readout operation of the pixel. Substantially none of the DC current provided by the bit line current source flows through the second switching circuit during the readout operation of the pixel.