Data download to imager chip using image sensor as a receptor

• US 7,187,049 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Sarwari, Atif
• Primary Examiner(s): PIZARRO CRESPO, MARCOS D
• Application Number:
  US10/143,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20030210439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,758 Days
• Field of Search: 708100-112, 257/431, 257/E31.001, 348 65- 76, 398115-117, 600109-112, 600/118, 600160-182
• US Class Current: 257/431
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/617 Upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/00 Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof

Abstract

An imaging device having a CMOS photosensor array for capturing images is described in which the array is also used to input programming and/or data used to control the imaging operations. The data-input can be based upon variations in light color, value, intensity, and patterning, or any combinations of the foregoing, for the download of information to the device.

Claims

1. An image sensor apparatus, comprising:

a CMOS photosensor array for sensing image information and data information;

a memory circuit in electrical communication with said CMOS photosensor array; and

a photo-data generator configured to output said data information as light emissions;

said CMOS photosensor array being configured to receive said light emissions and said memory circuit being configured to receive and store said data information; and

wherein said light emissions are a plurality of colored rings.

2. An image sensor apparatus, comprising:

a photosensor array for sensing image information and data information;

a memory circuit in electrical communication with said photosensor array; and

a photo-data generator configured to output said data information as light emissions;

said photosensor array being configured to receive said light emissions and said memory circuit being configured to receive and store said data information; and

wherein said light emissions are a plurality of colored rings.

3. An image sensor apparatus, comprising:

a CMOS photosensor array for acquiring an image and receiving data information;

a memory circuit in electrical communication with said CMOS photosensor array;

a strobe device configured to operate with said CMOS photosensor array in acquiring an image; and

a photo-data generator configured to output said data information as light emissions;

said CMOS photosensor array being configured to receive said light emissions and said memory circuit being configured to receive and store said data information; and

wherein said photo-data generator is a computer monitor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein only a portion of the computer monitor generates said light emissions.

5. An image sensor apparatus, comprising:

a photosensor array configured to capture images and download data information;

a memory circuit in electrical communication with said photosensor array; and

a photo-data generator configured to output said data information as light emissions;

an image transmitting device comprising a wireless transmitter;

said photosensor array being configured to receive said light emissions and said memory circuit being configured to receive and store said data information;

wherein said photo-data generator is a computer monitor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein only a portion of the computer monitor generates said light emissions.

7. An image sensor device, comprising:

a photosensor array configured to receive data information as light signals;

a memory circuit configured to store said data information received by said photosensor array as light signals;

wherein a controller is in operative communication with said photosensor array, an LED strobe, and said memory circuit, and wherein said controller is configured to utilize said data information to operate the image sensor device in acquiring images.

8. The image sensor device of claim 7, wherein said controller is configured to receive said data information from said photosensor array and communicate said data information to said memory circuit.

9. The image sensor device of claim 7, wherein said data information is selected from the group consisting of microcode, hardware interrupt control instructions, software, revised program software, and operating parameters.

10. The image sensor device of claim 7, wherein said data information comprises programming.

11. The image sensor device of claim 7, wherein said light signals are emitted from a photo-data generator.

12. The image sensor device of claim 11, wherein said photo-data generator is part of a device separate from said image sensor device.

13. An image sensor apparatus, comprising:

a CMOS photosensor array for acquiring an image and receiving data information;

a memory circuit in electrical communication with said CMOS photosensor array;

an image data output device configured to wirelessly output data; and

a photo-data generator configured to output said data information as light emissions,

said CMOS photosensor array being configured to receive said light emissions and said memory circuit being configured to receive and store said data information.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said light emissions are a plurality of colors, each of said plurality of colors representing data information to be received and stored in said memory circuit.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said light emissions are patterned, said patterned light emissions representing data information to be received and stored in said memory circuit.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said CMOS photosensor array and said memory circuit are integrated on a single chip.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said data information received by said CMOS photosensor from said photo-data generator comprises software.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a program command system in communication with said photo-data generator, said program command system providing said data information transmitted to said CMOS photosensor array as said light emissions.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a fiber optic cable structured to transmit said light emissions to said CMOS photosensor array.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said CMOS photosensor array is divided into a plurality of segments, each of said segments being structured to receive respectively segmented light emissions.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said photo-data generator is at least one LED.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said CMOS photosensor array and said memory circuit are on a chip within a camera device.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said camera device is within an ingestible capsule.

24. An image sensor apparatus, comprising:

a photosensor array configured to capture images and download data information;

a memory circuit in electrical communication with said photosensor array;

an image data output device configured to wirelessly output data; and

a photo-data generator configured to output said data information as light emissions,

said photosensor array being configured to receive said light emissions and said memory circuit being configured to receive and store said data information.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said light emissions are a plurality of colors, each of said plurality of colors representing data information to be received and stored in said memory circuit.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said light emissions are patterned, said patterned light emissions representing data information to be received and stored in said memory circuit.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said photosensor array and said memory circuit are integrated on a single chip.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said data information received by said photosensor from said photo-data generator comprises software.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a program command system in communication with said photo-data generator, said program command system providing said data information transmitted to said photosensor array as said light emissions.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a fiber optic cable structured to transmit said light emissions to said photosensor array.

31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said photosensor array is divided into a plurality of segments, each of said segments being structured to receive respectively segmented light emissions.

32. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said photo-data generator is a plurality of LEDs.

33. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said photosensor array and said memory circuit are on a chip within a camera device.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said camera device is within an ingestible capsule.