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:
Jan. 18, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 30, 2004
Oliver Fuchs, Esslingen, DE;
Dieter Bittner, Deggingen, DE;
Martin Wendler, Stuttgart, DE;
Dietmar Doettling, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, DE;
Oliver Fuchs, Esslingen, DE;
Dieter Bittner, Deggingen, DE;
Martin Wendler, Stuttgart, DE;
Dietmar Doettling, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, DE;
Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, Ostfildern, DE;
Abstract
A method for checking the functional reliability of an image sensor evaluates statistical fluctuations in the grey-scale values provided by the pixels of the image sensor. An actual noise factor, which is derived for light impinging on the pixels, is evaluated. A pixel failure is assumed if the actual noise factor misses a predetermined criterion defined by a reference noise factor. According to one embodiment, the reference noise factor is a dark noise factor. An electronic camera that operates in accordance with the above-described method is also disclosed.