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. 06, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 20, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Yukito Kawahara, Chiba, JP;
Satoshi Machida, Chiba, JP;
Masahiro Yokomichi, Chiba, JP;
Kenji Yoshida, Chiba, JP;
Assignee:
Seiko Instruments Inc., , JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 2/714 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 2/714 ;
Abstract
To eliminate a residual image due to residual charge in an image sensor circuit and provide an effective bright-time output, the image sensor is provided with a reset switch connected to a photodiode. After the potential of the photodiode is held through a first amplifier in two holding circuits as an image signal and an initial signal, the initial signal and the image signal are sequentially output through a second amplifier. By resetting the photodiode to a desired potential to produce an initial signal, a residual image can be eliminated.