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:
Jul. 26, 2022
Filed:
Nov. 13, 2020
Omnivision Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Zhe Gao, San Jose, CA (US);
Tiejun Dai, Santa Clara, CA (US);
OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
Switching techniques for fast voltage settling in image sensors are described. In one embodiment, an image sensor includes a plurality of lateral overflow integrating capacitor (LOFIC) pixels arranged in rows and columns of a pixel array. The plurality of pixels includes an active pixel configured for exposure to light, and a dummy pixel at least partially protected from exposure to light. A common bitline (BL) is couplable to the active pixel and the dummy pixel. A comparator (OA) is coupled to the bitline. The comparator is configured to receive a pixel voltage (Vx) from the active pixel on one input and a ramp voltage (Vy) on another input. Charge accumulated by the active pixel is determined at least in part by an intersection between the ramp voltage and the pixel voltage.