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:
Jul. 08, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 13, 2011
Graeme Storm, Forres, GB;
Matthew Purcell, Edinburgh, GB;
Derek Tolmie, Edinburgh, GB;
John Kevin Moore, Edinburgh, GB;
Michael Wigley, Edinburgh, GB;
Graeme Storm, Forres, GB;
Matthew Purcell, Edinburgh, GB;
Derek Tolmie, Edinburgh, GB;
John Kevin Moore, Edinburgh, GB;
Michael Wigley, Edinburgh, GB;
STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, Buckinghamshire, Marlow, GB;
Abstract
Each column of pixels in an image sensor array has at least two column bitlines connected to an output of each pixel. A readout input circuit includes first inputs and a second input. Each first input is connected, via a capacitance, to a comparator input node. The second input is connected via a capacitance to the same comparator input node. The first inputs receive, in parallel, an analog signal acquired from the pixels via the column bitlines. The analog signals vary during a pixel readout period and have a first level during a first calibration period and a second level during a second read period with the analog signals being constantly read onto the capacitances during both the first calibration period and the second read period. The comparator compares an average of the signals on the plurality of first inputs to the reference signal.