Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090239416 | Apparatus for Mechanical and Electrical Connection - An apparatus is proposed for detachable mechanical and electrical and/or optical connection of a recording appliance to an imaging apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mounting board and an insert board, which is pushed into the mounting board. In this case, the mounting board has guides on opposite sides, which hold the insert board in an interlocking manner in the pushed-in state. Electrical and/or optical contacts on the mounting board and on the insert board are connected to one another when the insert board has been pushed essentially completely into the guides on the mounting board. In one embodiment, a locking lever is provided, which converts a rotary movement of the locking lever to a linear movement of the insert board in the insertion direction. A latching position is provided in an end position of the locking lever. | 09-24-2009 |
20090251580 | Circuit and Method for Reading Out and Resetting Pixels of an Image Sensor - 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. | 10-08-2009 |
20100265371 | Image Sensor Circuit - An image sensor circuit comprises at least one pixel cell for providing an output signal which is variable according to illumination of said pixel cell between a maximum and a minimum level, an analogue-to-digital converter for converting output signals from said pixel cell into digital data, and an offset signal source for providing an offset signal having a level between said maximum and minimum levels. The analogue-to-digital converter is fully differential and is connected to said pixel cell and to said offset signal source. | 10-21-2010 |
20110304696 | Time-of-flight imager - An improved solution for generating depth maps using time-of-flight measurements is described, more specifically a time-of-flight imager and a time-of-flight imaging method with an improved accuracy. A depth correction profile is applied to the measured depth maps, which takes into account propagation delays within an array of pixels of a sensor of the time-of-flight imager. | 12-15-2011 |
20120120292 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AN IMAGE DATA COLLECTION DEVICE - In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided to form an image using an active pixel sensor imager ( | 05-17-2012 |
20130088620 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A SYSTEM INCLUDING AN IMAGE SENSOR AND A LIGHT SOURCE - A method for driving a sensor comprises, during a first time interval, generating a first type sensor value by repeatedly generating alternating periods of sensitivity and insensitivity of at least one pixel of the sensor, and reading out the sensor, and during a second time interval, generating a second type sensor value by irradiating the scene facing the sensor with pulses of electromagnetic energy having a wavelength detectable by the sensor and having predefined start times and durations, and repeatedly generating alternating periods of sensitivity and insensitivity of the at least one pixel, and reading out the pixel once again. Generating alternating periods of sensitivity and insensitivity includes repeatedly controlling transfer means and reset means of the at least one pixel to alternately enable charge transfer while removing reset from the detector element and to disable charge transfer while resetting the detector element, respectively. | 04-11-2013 |
20150163427 | PHOTODIODE LIMITER - An image sensor is provided. In one aspect, the image sensor includes a pixel coupled to an output line. The pixel includes a photodiode configured to generate electrical charges in response to light and a supply circuit configured to supply a voltage to the photodiode to keep a voltage of the photodiode at or above a threshold level in an integration time. In another aspect, the pixel includes a supply circuit configured to selectively supply voltage to the photodiode in a first charge holding capacity and a second charge holding capacity. | 06-11-2015 |
20150200229 | IMAGE SENSOR PIXEL WITH MULTILEVEL TRANSFER GATE - An image sensor and a method for operating an image sensor are provided. In one aspect, the image sensor includes a pixel with multilevel transfer gate. The image sensor includes a pixel coupled to an output line. The pixel includes a photodiode configured to generate electrical charges in response to light. The pixel also includes a capacitive element for storing electrical charges for providing a value to the output line. A transfer gate is coupled between the photodiode and the capacitive element. The transfer gate is configured to activate to transfer the electrical charges between the photodiode and the capacitive element. The image sensor is configured to provide at least one control signal operating in a plurality of voltages to the transfer gate. The plurality of voltages is in addition to a voltage which deactivates the transfer gate. | 07-16-2015 |