Patent ID: 6683646
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A photosensitive apparatus, comprising:a photodiode; a transfer circuit associated with the photodiode, for transferring a signal from the photodiode to an output line; and a spillover protection device, independently controllable relative to the transfer circuit, for applying a potential to the photodiode in response to a spillover condition in which a charge on the photodiode exceeds a predetermined threshold; and clocking means for providing, within each cycle of operation, an integration period in which charge generated by the photodiode is integrated to yield a signal related to light impinging on the photodiode, and an inactive period wherein light impinging on the photodiode is not integrated to yield a signal, and causing the transfer circuit to periodically inject a predetermined bias charge on the photodiode during the inactive period of each cycle of operation, the clocking means further disabling the spillover protection device while the predetermined bias charge is injected on the photodiode.