Reduced area imaging devices
DCFirst Claim
1. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
- an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, said pre-video signal comprising serial formatted data reflective of image data from the pixel array which is arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;
a pre-video conductor for transmitting said pre-video signal, said pre-video signal capable of being carried for transmission by a single wire conductor of said pre-video conductor, said pre-video conductor having first and second ends, said first end communicating with said image sensor;
a first circuit board lying in a second plane and longitudinally aligned with said image sensor, said first circuit board being connected to said pre-video conductor at said second end thereof, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for reception by a standard video device; and
a power supply electrically coupled with said image sensor for driving said array of pixels and said timing and control means, and electrically coupled to said first circuit board for driving said circuit board.
4 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes. In any of the embodiments, the image sensor may be placed alone on a first circuit board, or timing and control circuits may be included on the first circuit board containing the image sensor. One or more video processing boards can be stacked in a longitudinal fashion with respect to the first board, or the video processing boards may be placed in the control box.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
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an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, said pre-video signal comprising serial formatted data reflective of image data from the pixel array which is arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;
a pre-video conductor for transmitting said pre-video signal, said pre-video signal capable of being carried for transmission by a single wire conductor of said pre-video conductor, said pre-video conductor having first and second ends, said first end communicating with said image sensor;
a first circuit board lying in a second plane and longitudinally aligned with said image sensor, said first circuit board being connected to said pre-video conductor at said second end thereof, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for reception by a standard video device; and
a power supply electrically coupled with said image sensor for driving said array of pixels and said timing and control means, and electrically coupled to said first circuit board for driving said circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
said image sensor defines a profile area in said first plane, and said first circuit board being positioned so as not to extend substantially beyond said profile area.
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3. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:
a second circuit board electrically coupled with said first circuit board and said image sensor for enhancing said pre-video signal prior to reception by said first circuit board, said second circuit board being longitudinally aligned with said first circuit board and said image sensor so as not to extend substantially beyond said profile area.
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4. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said first and second planes are offset from and substantially parallel to one another.
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5. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
said second circuit board lies in a third plane which is offset from and extends substantially parallel to said first and second planes.
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6. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said array of CMOS pixels further includes:
an array of passive CMOS pixels, wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said array of passive CMOS pixels each includes a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals and an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of said photoelectrically generated signals.
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7. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
individual pixels within said array of CMOS pixels each includes an amplifier.
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8. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
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an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, said pre-video signal comprising serial formatted data reflective of image data from the array of CMOS pixels which is arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;
a pre-video conductor communicating with said array of CMOS pixels, said pre-video conductor for transmitting said pre-video signal, said pre-video signal capable of being carried for transmission by a single wire conductor of said pre-video conductor;
a control box remote from said image sensor, said control box including a circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal from said pre-video conductor and for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal which may be received by a standard video device; and
a power supply coupled to said control box and said image sensor for providing power thereto. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
a supplementary circuit board for digitally enhancing the pre-video signal, said supplementary circuit board coupled to said circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal and for converting said pre-video signal.
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10. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said array of pixels includes:
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a plurality of passive CMOS pixels, and wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said plurality of passive CMOS pixels each includes a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals; and
an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of said photoelectrically generated signals.
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11. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
individual pixels within said array of CMOS pixels each includes an amplifier.
Specification