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:
May. 04, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 04, 1996
Akihito Tanabe, Tokyo, JP;
NEC Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A two-dimensional image sensor comprises a matrix array of photodiodes and multiple vertical shift registers horizontally divided into an imaging part and a memory part. During a vertical blanking period, the imaging part receives charge packets from the photodiodes and shifts the charge packets via the memory part to a matrix array of storage cells. During a subsequent horizontal blanking period, the charge packets are restored from the storage cells to the memory part and shifted downwards by the distance of a row so that the charge packets of bottom row are shifted our into a horizontal register. Remaining charge packets are then withdrawn from the memory part to the storage cells and stored therein during a subsequent horizontal scan period. During this horizontal scan period, the memory part is maintained at such a voltage that no dark currents substantially exist and the charge packets in the horizontal register are sequentially delivered to external circuitry.