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:
May. 15, 2012
Filed:
May. 23, 2007
Heinrich Schemmann, Villingen-Schwenningen, DE;
Sabine Roth, Moenchweller, DE;
Steffen Lehr, Villingen-Schwenningen, DE;
Volker Neiss, VS-Villingen, DE;
Nicolaas Johannes Damstra, Breda, NL;
Petrus Gijsbertus Maria Centen, Goirle, NL;
Jeroen Rotte, Breda, NL;
Heinrich Schemmann, Villingen-Schwenningen, DE;
Sabine Roth, Moenchweller, DE;
Steffen Lehr, Villingen-Schwenningen, DE;
Volker Neiss, VS-Villingen, DE;
Nicolaas Johannes Damstra, Breda, NL;
Petrus Gijsbertus Maria Centen, Goirle, NL;
Jeroen Rotte, Breda, NL;
Thomson Licensing, Issy-les-Moulineaux, FR;
Abstract
A circuit for resetting and reading out a pixel cell of a CMOS image sensor is proposed. The circuit allows for reading out the pixel cell at least two times during a main integration interval, thereby generating at least two pixel signals. The circuit further comprises means for combining the at least two pixel signals to an output signal. The means for combining are operable to combine the at least two pixel signals weighted in dependence on a saturation level of the pixel cell. A method for controlling the circuit for reading out the image sensor is also proposed.