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. 20, 2014
Filed:
Aug. 30, 2011
Manoj Bikumandla, San Jose, CA (US);
Manoj Bikumandla, San Jose, CA (US);
OmniVision Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A method of operating an image sensor includes adjusting a capacitance coupled to a circuit node within a pixel cell. The circuit node is coupled to selectively receive an image charge acquired by a photo-sensor of the pixel cell. A conversion gain is selected from multiple conversion gains for the pixel cell by adjusting the capacitance. A voltage level from multiple voltage levels is selected for use as a reset signal when the reset signal is asserted. The reset signal controls resetting of the circuit node during operation of the pixel cell. The voltage level is selected dependent upon which of the multiple conversion gains is selected by adjusting the capacitance. The reset signal is asserted to reset a voltage at the circuit node.