Patent ID: 9404963
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: G01R

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for inspecting an infrared solid-state image sensor including at least one infrared detection pixel that generates an electrical signal in accordance with an incident infrared ray and an amount of supplied constant current, the apparatus comprising: a current control unit configured to control the amount of constant current and supply a first constant current and a second constant current to the infrared detection pixel, the first constant current and the second constant current being different from each other; a constant current supply time control unit configured to control periods of time in which the first and second constant currents are supplied to the infrared detection pixel; an A-D converter configured to convert a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal from the infrared detection pixel into a first digital signal and a second digital signal, respectively, the first electrical signal being generated when the first constant current is supplied to the infrared detection pixel, the second electrical signal being generated when the second constant current is supplied to the infrared detection pixel; a subtracting unit configured to calculate a difference between the first digital signal and the second digital signal; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the infrared detection pixel is a defective pixel based on the absolute value of the difference calculated by the subtracting unit.