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:
Dec. 14, 2010

Filed:

Dec. 14, 2004
Applicants:

Rosanne H Tinkler, Lexington, MA (US);

Allen W Hairston, Andover, MA (US);

Inventors:

Rosanne H Tinkler, Lexington, MA (US);

Allen W Hairston, Andover, MA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H04N 5/335 (2006.01); H04N 5/217 (2006.01); H04N 9/64 (2006.01); H01L 27/00 (2006.01); H04N 5/228 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

An imaging system configured with readout circuit redundancy is disclosed. Pixel data from a particular column can be steered around a defective readout circuit to an operational readout circuit. Thus, larger imaging arrays which are generally more prone to common column circuitry defects are enabled. In addition, imaging systems configured with significant on-chip signal processing, which are also more prone to common column circuitry defects, are enabled. The occurrence of lost pixel data from an entire column is eliminated or otherwise reduced, thereby increasing overall operability and yield of the imaging system. The system can be implemented on a single chip or a chip set.


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