Patent ID: 7119320
Filing Date: 2006-10-10
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. Photo-sensitive element for electro-optical sensors, comprising at least: a photo-sensitive reception means, a current conversion circuit to convert the current generated by said photo-sensitive reception means into a voltage signal at a photosensitive node, and an amplification and reading circuit, wherein said current conversion circuit comprises at least a P-channel first transistor for operating as an ideal switch and driven by a voltage which is variable between a high voltage and a low voltage, said photo-sensitive element being able to be taken to a reset state if the driving voltage of said transistor is low, and to an integration state if said driving voltage is high, wherein said current conversion circuit comprises at least two transistors having opposite channel polarities to provide both linear conversion and logarithmic conversion capability, wherein said at least two transistors comprising said first P-channel transistor and at least a second N-channel transistor, said first and second transistors having one between their source or drain terminal in common with each other and connected to said photosensitive node and their gate terminals drivable externally by means of a voltage of a variable value to selectively allow either a linear conversion or a logarithmic conversion of said current photo-generated by said reception means, and wherein said second N-channel transistor is able to represent an active load.