Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Multilevel reset voltage for multi-conversion gain image sensor
- Patent Title (中): 多转换增益图像传感器的多级复位电压
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Application No.: US13221736Application Date: 2011-08-30
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Publication No.: US08729451B2Publication Date: 2014-05-20
- Inventor: Manoj Bikumandla
- Applicant: Manoj Bikumandla
- Applicant Address: US CA Santa Clara
- Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
- Current Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US CA Santa Clara
- Agency: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman LLP
- Main IPC: H01J40/14
- IPC: H01J40/14 ; H03G3/20 ; H01L27/00 ; H04N3/14

Abstract:
A method of operating an image sensor includes adjusting a capacitance coupled to a circuit node within a pixel cell. The circuit node is coupled to selectively receive an image charge acquired by a photo-sensor of the pixel cell. A conversion gain is selected from multiple conversion gains for the pixel cell by adjusting the capacitance. A voltage level from multiple voltage levels is selected for use as a reset signal when the reset signal is asserted. The reset signal controls resetting of the circuit node during operation of the pixel cell. The voltage level is selected dependent upon which of the multiple conversion gains is selected by adjusting the capacitance. The reset signal is asserted to reset a voltage at the circuit node.
Public/Granted literature
- US20130048831A1 MULTILEVEL RESET VOLTAGE FOR MULTI-CONVERSION GAIN IMAGE SENSOR Public/Granted day:2013-02-28
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