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.

Date of Patent:
Jun. 12, 2001

Filed:

Nov. 03, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:

Jane M. J. Lin, San Jose, CA (US);

Eric Y. Chou, Fremont, CA (US);

Kit M. Cham, Cupertino, CA (US);

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc, Palo Alto, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H04N 5/335 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H04N 5/335 ;
Abstract

An active pixel sensor. The active pixel sensor includes a photo-diode. The photo-diode conducting charge as a function of the intensity of light received by the photo-diode. The photo-diode includes a diode capacitance which collects charge conducted by the photo-diode which generates a photo-diode voltage. A switched capacitor is connected in parallel with the photo-diode when the photo-diode voltage drops below a pre-determined voltage potential. A capacitance of the switched capacitor adds to the diode capacitance when the switched capacitor is connected. The switched capacitor can be a gate capacitor. The active pixel sensor further includes electronic circuitry to allow a controller to sample the photo-diode voltage.


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