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. 15, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2002
Masayuki Kusuda, Nishinomiya, JP;
Tomokazu Kakumoto, Nagaokakyo, JP;
Masayuki Kusuda, Nishinomiya, JP;
Tomokazu Kakumoto, Nagaokakyo, JP;
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a solid-state image sensing device comprising a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels comprises (1) a photodiode for generating an electric signal according to an amount of light projected thereto, (2) a converter capable of logarithmically converting the electric signal into a converted electric signal while a first voltage is biased, and (3) a switching element for electrically connecting and disconnecting the photoelectric converting element and the converter. The switching element electrically disconnects the photodiode and the converter while outputting an electric signal for correcting a sensitivity unevenness among the plurality of pixels. The converting element is temporarily biased by a second voltage before taking the image, the second voltage being suitable for discharging an electric charge from the photodiode and being different from the first voltage.