FCC-COMPLIANT, MOVEMENT ARTIFACT-FREE IMAGE SENSOR ARRAY WITH REDUCED LIGHTING REQUIREMENT
First Claim
1. A method for reading out an image captured on a plurality of pixel cells in a pixel cell array, comprising:
- Pre-charging the pixel cells in the pixel cell array;
Illuminating a field of view of the pixel cells for a predetermined exposure time; and
Reading-out data from the pixel cells only after the illuminating of the field of view is completed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A capsule camera includes a pixel cell array of pixel cells exposed to light from a field of view, an illuminating system that illuminates the field of view, a signal processor receiving and processing data from the pixel cell array, and a control module that causes the pixel cell array to be read out using an improved scanning method. The scanning method includes pre-charging the pixel cells in the pixel cell array, illuminating a field of view of the pixel cells for a predetermined exposure time, and reading out data from the pixel cells only after the illuminating of the field of view is completed. The pre-charging of the pixel cells is carried out over a predetermined time period prior to the field of view being illuminated. The rows of the pixel may be precharged at different times. The time interval between the precharging and the reading out of the pixel cells in each row may be substantially the same. In one instance, the reading out of the pixel cell array is spread out to substantially the time between capturing successive frames of image data. As a result, a transmitter may transmit the processed image data at an average data rate falling substantially within the allowable bandwidth of transmission under the FCC MISC band. In one instance, each row of pixel cells is exposed for the entire duration the illumination system is turned on. A group of pixel cells may be provided outside of the field of view (e.g., at the outer edge of the pixel cell or sensor array. The data that is read from this group of pixels outside the field of view may be used to compensate for thermal and system noise in the data within the field of view.
29 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for reading out an image captured on a plurality of pixel cells in a pixel cell array, comprising:
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Pre-charging the pixel cells in the pixel cell array;
Illuminating a field of view of the pixel cells for a predetermined exposure time; and
Reading-out data from the pixel cells only after the illuminating of the field of view is completed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A capsule camera, comprising:
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a pixel cell array having a plurality of pixel cells exposed to light from a field of view;
an illuminating system that illuminates the field of view;
a signal processor receiving and processing data from the pixel cell array; and
a control module that performs;
Pre-charging the pixel cells in the pixel cell array;
Illuminating a field of view of the pixel cells for a predetermined exposure time; and
Reading-out data from the pixel cells only after the illuminating of the field of view is completed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification