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:
Sep. 26, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 12, 2001
Justin Fortier, Ottawa, CA;
Justin Fortier, Ottawa, CA;
Harusaki Technologies, LLC, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
The method and apparatus for processing pixel output signals from column lines in an imager having an array of pixels in rows and columns uses a sigma-delta type analog-to-digital converter to convert the output signals on each column line to digital signals and feeding them to a digital signal processor. The converter is monitored to stop sampling of a pixel with the detection of pixel saturation, which is carried out by counting a predetermined number of consecutive zeros in the converted signal. In addition, the next pixel in a column may be controlled to be read with the saturation of the previous pixel, and the next row of pixels may be controlled to be read with the saturation of the pixels in the previous row. Further, sets of a predetermined number of converter output samples are condensed by a decimator into binary numbers of predetermined bit length. The outputs of the decimators may be fed directly to the digital signal processor or they may be multiplexed to provide one or more inputs to the digital signal processor.