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:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 02, 1998
Eric Y. Chou, Fremont, CA (US);
Agilent Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an active pixel sensor read-out channel that includes an active pixel. The active pixel drives an active pixel output to a signal voltage having an amplitude proportional to an intensity of light received by the active pixel. The active pixel drives the active pixel output to a reference voltage when the active pixel is not exposed to light. The active pixel output is connected to a sample and hold circuit. The sample and hold circuit samples and stores the signal voltage and samples and stores the reference voltage. A buffer amplifier generates a difference voltage between the sampled and stored signal voltage and the sampled and stored reference voltage.