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:
Feb. 14, 2006
Filed:
May. 26, 2004
Fabien Aeby, Avenches, CH;
Laurent Genilloud, Romont, CH;
Fabien Aeby, Avenches, CH;
Laurent Genilloud, Romont, CH;
Asulab S.A., Marin, CH;
Abstract
The variable gain analog-to-digital conversion device () for an image sensor comprises at least one N-bit non-linear coarse first converter () receiving a pixel voltage signal (Vpix) and at least one M-bit linear fine second converter () connected to the first converter () in order for the device to supply a binary word of N+M bits relating to the voltage level of the pixel. The first converter () comprises comparison means () for comparing the voltage level of the pixel with one or more voltage thresholds (Vto V) delimiting voltage ranges within the voltage dynamic range of the sensor. The successive voltage ranges represent areas of illumination of the pixel ranging from a weakly lit area to a strongly lit area. The first comparator supplies an N-bit binary word relating to the area of illumination determined for the pixel. The second converter comprises conversion adaptation means for converting the voltage pixel signal to a number of bits less than or equal to M, depending on the N-bit binary word from the first converter.