Visible light and near infrared imaging device
First Claim
1. An imaging device comprising:
- an addressing means;
an array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements selectively connected to the addressing means;
a multiplexer connected to the array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements;
a precharge means including a time controlled switch connected to the multiplexer; and
an amplifier connected to the multiplexer, said array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements having its elements arranged for exposure to light emanating from a scene in the field of view for converting the light into electrical signals representative of the impinging light, and said precharge means, addressing means and multiplexer for alternately charging the elements of the array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements to a preselected voltage and connecting the electrical signals of the elements of the array of optoelectric semiconductor elements representing the intensity of light impinging thereon to the amplifier, said amplifier for amplifying the outputs of the array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements to a working level for processing into video signals for display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A visible light and near infrared imaging device is disclosed. The imaging device comprises X-Y addressing means, an array of opto-electronic semiconductor elements or cells, a multiplexer, a precharge switch, and an amplifier. The X-Y addressing means selectively addresses each cell of the array of opto-electronic semiconductor cells and corresponding multiplexer switch for connecting a reference voltage to each cell to charge each element to the reference voltage, then to isolate each element and vary its voltage in proportion to the intensity of the impinging light, and finally to read out selectively the voltage of each element to the amplifier for amplifying the electrical signals representative of the light intensity to a working level for processing into video signals.
30 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An imaging device comprising:
an addressing means;
an array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements selectively connected to the addressing means;
a multiplexer connected to the array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements;
a precharge means including a time controlled switch connected to the multiplexer; and
an amplifier connected to the multiplexer, said array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements having its elements arranged for exposure to light emanating from a scene in the field of view for converting the light into electrical signals representative of the impinging light, and said precharge means, addressing means and multiplexer for alternately charging the elements of the array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements to a preselected voltage and connecting the electrical signals of the elements of the array of optoelectric semiconductor elements representing the intensity of light impinging thereon to the amplifier, said amplifier for amplifying the outputs of the array of optoelectronic semiconductor elements to a working level for processing into video signals for display.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Specification