Image sensors with pixel reset
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- transferring a signal level from an active sensor pixel to a readout circuit;
performing a flushed reset of the pixel; and
electrically isolating the pixel from the readout circuit during resetting of the pixel.
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Abstract
Techniques for use with image sensors include transferring a signal level from an active sensor pixel to a readout circuit, performing a flushed reset of the pixel, and isolating the pixel from the readout circuit during resetting of the pixel.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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transferring a signal level from an active sensor pixel to a readout circuit;
performing a flushed reset of the pixel; and
electrically isolating the pixel from the readout circuit during resetting of the pixel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An integrated circuit chip comprising:
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an array of active sensor pixels each of which is associated with a row and a column in the array, each pixel including a reset switch and a row selection switch;
readout circuits each of which is associated with and is coupled to a respective subset of pixels in the array; and
a controller for providing a first control signal to enable the row selection switches in a selected row of pixels to transfer signal levels from the pixels in the selected row to the associated readout circuits, for subsequently providing a second control signal to enable the reset switches in the selected row of pixels, and for causing the first control signal to disable the row selection switches in the selected row of pixels during resetting of the pixels in the selected row. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 15)
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14. An integrated circuit chip comprising:
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an array of active sensor pixels each of which is associated with a row and a column in the array, each pixel including a photosensitive element, a source-follower transistor coupled to an output of the photosensitive element, a reset switch and a row selection switch;
readout circuits, each of which is associated with and is coupled to a respective column of pixels in the array, each readout circuit including a load transistor for source-follower transistors in the pixels in the associated column;
means for causing flushed reset of pixels in a selected row; and
means for isolating pixels in the selected row from the associated readout circuits during resetting of the pixels.
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Specification