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:
Nov. 29, 2005
Filed:
Jul. 20, 2001
William R. Bidermann, Mountain View, CA (US);
David Xiao Dong Yang, Mountain View, CA (US);
William R. Bidermann, Mountain View, CA (US);
David Xiao Dong Yang, Mountain View, CA (US);
Pixim, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
An image sensor includes a sensor array including a two-dimensional array of pixel elements. The array of pixel elements includes a first group of photodetectors having a first sensitivity level and a second group of photodetectors having a second sensitivity level. The sensor array outputs digital signals as pixel data representing an image of a scene. In operation, the first group of photodetectors generates the output signals after a first exposure time and the second group of photodetectors generates the output signals after a second exposure time, where the first exposure time and the second exposure time are within a snapshot of the scene and the first exposure time is different than the second exposure time. When thus operated, the image sensor of the present invention provides improved color reproduction capability and improved signal to noise ratio, especially for the less sensitive photosensitive elements.