Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8120690?dq=patent:+7360079
Timestamp: 2017-04-25 21:13:48
Document Index: 534614178

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 336', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356', 'arts 356']

Patent US8120690 - Imaging device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsAn imaging device of the present invention includes a plurality of photosensors arranged in matrix on a light-receiving surface and a readout section for adding up photo signals on the photosensors for external output in each pixel block set on the light-receiving surface. The pixel blocks each consists...http://www.google.com/patents/US8120690?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8120690 - Imaging deviceAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS8120690 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/656,726Publication dateFeb 21, 2012Filing dateSep 8, 2003Priority dateApr 12, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20040046881Publication number10656726, 656726, US 8120690 B2, US 8120690B2, US-B2-8120690, US8120690 B2, US8120690B2InventorsKen UtagawaOriginal AssigneeNikon CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (24), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (2), Classifications (18), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetImaging device
US 8120690 B2Abstract
a plurality of photosensors included in one image sensor and two-dimensionally arranged on a light-receiving surface, for generating photo signals in accordance with an amount of received light; and
a readout section reading out the generated photo signals, wherein:
the readout section includes a plurality of vertical CCDs provided between arrays of the plurality of photosensors in a vertical direction on the light-receiving surface, for vertically transporting photo signals output from the photosensors;
the plurality of vertical CCDs have two transport electrodes for each of the photosensors, and every two pairs of the transport electrodes for the photosensors have electrically crosswise connection to each other, the photosensors being adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction, and an order of the transport electrodes of each photosensor of the photosensors in an even number array is reverse to an order of the transport electrodes of each immediately horizontally adjacent photosensor of the photosensors in an odd number array;
said readout section selectively has a grid imaging mode in which the generated photo signals on the light-receiving surface are sampled in a grid pattern for readout, and a diagonal grid imaging mode in which the generated photo signals on the light-receiving surface are sampled in a diagonal grid pattern for readout; and
a direction of a grid pattern of sampling points in the grid imaging mode and a direction of a grid pattern of sampling points in the diagonal grid imaging mode are different from each other.
4. The imaging device according to claim 2, further comprising:
9. The imaging device according to claim 6, further comprising:
second horizontal transport parts provided at the other ends of said vertical CCDs, for horizontally transporting the photo signals outputted from the other ends, wherein:
said plurality of vertical CCDs have two transport electrodes for each of said photosensors, and every two pairs of the two transport electrodes for the photosensors have electrically crosswise connection to each other, the photosensors being adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction, and an order of the transport electrodes of each photosensor of the photosensors in an even number array is reverse to an order of the transport electrodes of each immediately horizontally adjacent photosensor of the photosensors in an odd number array.
Recently, image data have been used for diversified purposes in accordance with the wide use of electronic cameras. Appropriate resolution is different depending on each purpose. For example, image data with the highest resolution possible (hereinafter, referred to as “high-resolution data”) are required for the purpose of high quality printing, high quality storage, and the like. For general purposes, image data with appropriately low resolution (hereinafter, referred to as “low resolution data”) are required in view of the number of frames recordable on a nonvolatile recording medium, and the like.
{circle around (1)} First, photo signals on the (2n−1)th line and photo signals on the (2n)th line are added up in sequence for readout, thereby obtaining an odd number field. {circle around (2)} Next, the photo signals on the (2n)th line and photo signals on the (2n+1)th line are added up in sequence for readout, thereby obtaining an even number field. {circle around (3)} The odd number field and the even number field are added to obtain photo signals for one screen. This odd number (or even number) field can be defined as low-resolution data.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an electronic camera 1;
FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of an imaging device 13;
FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C are views explaining the operation of a low-resolution transport mode;
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views showing pixel blocks and apertures in the low-resolution transport mode;
FIG. 5 is a view showing apertures in a high-resolution transport mode;
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are views showing the structure of an imaging device 50;
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views showing pixel blocks and apertures in a low-resolution transport mode;
FIG. 8 is a view showing apertures in a high-resolution transport mode;
FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of preferable arrangement of color filters X1 to X8;
FIG. 10 is a view showing another example of preferable arrangement of the color filters X1 to X8;
FIG. 11 is a view showing still another example of preferable arrangement of the color filters X1 to X8;
FIG. 12 is a view showing the structure of an imaging device 13Y;
FIG. 13 is a view showing the structure of an imaging device 70;
FIG. 14 is a view showing an arrangement example of transfer gates;
FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of wiring patterns of transport electrodes;
FIG. 16 is a view showing another example of the wiring patterns of the transport electrodes;
FIG. 17 is a view showing still another example of the wiring patterns of the transport electrodes;
FIG. 18 is a view showing an imaging device 213;
FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are views showing pixel blocks and apertures in a low-resolution transport mode;
FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B are views showing the operation of adding up photo signals on horizontal paths;
FIG. 21 is a view showing an image sensor 313;
FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B are views showing pixel sampling points in a grid imaging mode and a diagonal imaging mode;
FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B are views explaining a transport operation of the image sensor 313;
FIG. 24 is a view showing a color pattern of image data read out in the grid imaging mode;
FIG. 25 is a view showing apertures in the grid imaging mode;
FIG. 26 is a view showing a color pattern of synthesized signals read out in the diagonal grid imaging mode;
FIG. 27 is a view showing apertures in the diagonal grid imaging mode;
FIG. 28A, FIG. 28B, FIG. 28C, FIG. 28D, and FIG. 28E are views explaining the operation of a sixth embodiment;
FIG. 29 is a view showing an image sensor 350;
FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B are views showing pixel sampling points in a diagonal grid imaging mode and a grid imaging mode;
FIG. 31 is a view showing a color pattern of synthesized signals read out in the grid imaging mode;
FIG. 32 is a view showing apertures in the grid imaging mode;
FIG. 33 is a view showing a color pattern of image data read out in the diagonal grid imaging mode;
FIG. 34 is a view showing apertures in the diagonal grid imaging mode;
FIG. 35A, FIG. 35B, FIG. 35C, and FIG. 35D are views explaining the operation of a grid imaging mode in an eighth embodiment;
FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, FIG. 36C, and FIG. 36D are views explaining the operation of a diagonal grid imaging mode in the eighth embodiment;
FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B are views showing examples of a four-color pattern;
FIG. 38A and FIG. 38B are views showing another examples of the four-color pattern; and
FIG. 39 is a view showing a conventional example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an electronic camera 111 according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view showing the imaging device 13 mentioned above. This imaging device 13 is an imaging device utilizing an interline transport method.
An optical low pass filter recited in the claims corresponds to an optical LPF 13 b. [Explanation on Operation of Low-Resolution Transport Mode]
FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are views showing the operation of the imaging device 13 in this low-resolution transport mode.
FIG. 4A is a view showing areas in which the photo signals are added up in the above-described operation as pixel blocks (dotted line squares in the drawing) on the light-receiving surface. As shown in this drawing, each pixel block is constituted of two photosensors 31 assembled in an array direction of the matrix pattern. The pixel blocks in the even number arrays and those in the odd number arrays are displaced from each other by half a phase in the arrays direction. In the present invention, the displacement does not have to be numerically half a phase in strict meaning, but may be half a phase within a practical range (for example, a range in which a visual effect such as sharpness improvement is obtainable).
FIG. 5 is a view showing equivalent apertures of pixels (including the effect of the optical LPF) in the high-resolution transport mode.
For example, as shown in B pattern in FIG. 14, it is possible to cyclically arrange the transfer gates 32 at the second phases and the fourth phases of the vertical CCDs 33 in the even number arrays (or the odd number arrays) and to cyclically arrange the transfer gates 32 at the first phases and the third phases of the vertical CCDs 33 in the odd number arrays (or the even number arrays). In this case, the transport operation in the low-resolution transport mode is preferably executed through the following procedure {circle around (1)} to {circle around (4)}.
{circle around (1)} Apply the transfer voltages to the transport electrodes φV1 and φV4 simultaneously, so that the photo signals are transferred to potential wells connecting the first phases and the fourth phases of the vertical CCDs 33. {circle around (2)} Vertically transport two segments of each of the vertical CCDs 33. {circle around (3)} Apply the transfer voltages to the transport electrodes φV2 and φV3 simultaneously, so that the photo signals are transferred to potential wells connecting the second phases and the third phases of the vertical CCDs 33. At this point, the photo signals are added up and synthesized on the potential wells in a unit of pixel block. {circle around (4)} Transport the synthesized signals on the vertical CCDs 33 in sequence for external readout. As described above, in the transfer gate arrangement of the B pattern, it is possible to eliminate the half-phase displacement of the pixel blocks and align the pixel blocks in the same phase on the vertical CCDs 33.
FIG. 6A is an external view of the imaging device 50.
FIG. 6B is a view showing the internal structure of this imaging device 50.
An optical low pass filter recited in the claims corresponds to the optical LPF 50 b. Vertical paths recited in the claims correspond to the vertical CCDs 53.
FIG. 7A is a view showing areas in which the photo signals are added up in the above-described operation as pixel blocks (dotted-line squares in the drawing) on the light-receiving surface. As shown in this drawing, each of the pixel blocks is constituted of two photosensors 51 assembled in an array direction of the matrix pattern.
FIG. 8 is a view showing equivalent apertures of pixels (including the effect of the optical LPF) in the high-resolution transport mode.
FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 are views showing examples of the wiring patterns of the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4. In these drawings, the transport electrodes φV1 and the transport electrodes φV2 are colored in black to distinctively show the shape of the transport electrodes.
Through such operations, the photo signals in the odd number arrays and the photo signals in the even number arrays are read out in staggered directions along the wiring patterns of the transport electrodes φV1 and φV3. As a result, the pixel blocks with the phase displacement are aligned in the same phase on potential wells of the transport channels 133 a. [Wiring Patterns shown in FIG. 16]
As a result, also in FIG. 16, the pixel blocks having the phase displacement are aligned in the same phase on the transport channels 133 a. Note that, in the wiring patterns shown in FIG. 16, the displacement between the transfer gates in the odd number arrays and those in the even number arrays is smaller than that in FIG. 115. As a result, the bending degree of the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4 is reduced, which results in a success in forming the patterns of the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4 in a smoother shape.
As a result, also in the wiring patterns shown in FIG. 17, the phase displacement of the pixel blocks is eliminated so that the pixel blocks are aligned in the same phase on the transport channels 133 a. Note that, in the wiring patterns shown in FIG. 17, the displacement between the transfer gates in the odd number arrays and those in the even number arrays is still smaller. As a result, the bending degree of the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4 is reduced, which results in a success in forming the patterns of the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4 in a still smoother shape
FIG. 18 is a view showing this imaging device 213. FIG. 19A is a view showing pixel blocks (dotted rectangles in the drawing) of the imaging device 213. FIG. 19B is a view showing equivalent apertures for individual signals in a low-resolution transport mode of the imaging device 213.
In this case, it is preferable that the adding-up and readout are performed in a unit of block 79 by the operations {circle around (1)} to {circle around (6)} in the low-resolution transport mode as described below.
{circle around (1)} A control circuit 75 transfers photo signals of all the pixels to vertical CCDs 73. {circle around (2)} The control circuit 75 transports the photo signals (G11, B12, and so on) on the vertical CCDs 73 to horizontal CCDs 76. {circle around (3)} The control circuit 75 transports two segments of each of potential wells on horizontal CCDs 76. {circle around (4)} The control circuit 75 transports two segments of each of the vertical CCDs 73 to transport the photo signals (G21, B22, and so on) to the horizontal CCDs 76. At this time, synthesized signals such as (G11+G2) and (B12+B21) are generated on the potential wells of the horizontal CCDs 76. {circle around (5)} The synthesized signals on the horizontal CCDs 76, after being synthesized, are horizontally transported at a high speed for external readout. {circle around (6)} By repeating the above-described operations {circle around (2)} to {circle around (4)} are repeated the synthesized signals for one screen are read out to exterior. The aforesaid adding-up operation is omitted and the operation of transporting all the pixels is performed progressively in the high-resolution transport mode.
Supplementary Notes Hereinafter, the first to fourth embodiments will be explained more generally.
FIG. 21 is a view showing the internal structure of the above-mentioned image sensor 313.
FIG. 22A is a view showing pixel sampling points in this grid imaging mode. In the grid imaging mode, photo signals generated by the respective photosensors 331 are sampled for readout in a grid pattern as shown in this drawing.
FIG. 22B is a view showing pixel sampling points in the diagonal grid imaging mode.
{circle around (1)} The arrangement order of the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4 in the even number arrays and that in the odd number arrays are made reverse to each other. (Accordingly, the transport direction of signal charges in the odd number arrays is made reverse to that in the even number arrays.) {circle around (2)} Further, the four-phase segments of the vertical CCDs 333 in the even number arrays and the corresponding four-phase segments in the odd number arrays are displaced from each other in the array direction. Accordingly, units of adding-up of the photo signals described later are arranged in a diagonal grid pattern. Note that in FIG. 21, the transfer gates 332 in the odd number arrays and those in the even number arrays are displaced. However, the positions of the transfer gates 332 can be aligned in the horizontal direction by shifting the transport electrodes in the odd number arrays upward in FIG. 21. Also in this state, the two transport electrodes allotted for each one of the photosensors 331 φV1 and φV2, φV3 and φV4) on the vertical CCD 333 have the crosswise connection to those on the vertical CCD 333 adjacent in the horizontal direction (in other words, the requirements of claims 8, 9 are satisfied).
Correspondence Relationship with Embodiment
An optical low pass filter recited in the claims corresponds to the optical LPF 13 b. A color filter array recited in the claims corresponds to the color filter array (refer to FIG. 21) disposed on the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 313.
First horizontal paths recited in the claims correspond to the horizontal transport parts 336 a. Second horizontal paths recited in the claims correspond to the horizontal transport parts 336 b. [Explanation on Operation of Grid Imaging Mode]
In this state, the control circuit 335 supplies four-phase-driving control pulses to the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4. As a result, on the vertical CCDs 333 in the odd number arrays, the photo signals on every other row are vertically transported in sequence toward the horizontal transport parts 336 a. The horizontal transport parts 336 a fetch the photo signals corresponding to one row outputted from the vertical CCDs 333 in the odd number arrays. In this state, the control circuit 335 supplies control pulses for horizontal transport to the horizontal transport parts 336 a to horizontally transport the photo signals in sequence. Through the repetition of such operations, image signals corresponding to the photo signals in the odd number arrays are outputted from the horizontal transport parts 336 a. Meanwhile, on the vertical CCDs 333 in the even number arrays, the photo signals are vertically transported in sequence toward the horizontal transport parts 336 b. The horizontal transport parts 336 b fetch the photo signals outputted from the vertical CCDs 333 in the even number arrays in a unit of a row. In this state, the control circuit 335 supplies control pulses for horizontal transport to the horizontal transport parts 336 b to horizontally transport the photo signals in sequence. Through such operations, image signals corresponding to the photo signals in the even number arrays are outputted from the horizontal transport parts 336 b. Through such transport operations, the image signals of a first field (the image signals on every other row) in the even number arrays and those in the odd number arrays are separately read out in parallel.
Subsequently, the control circuit 335 supplies four-phase-driving control pulses to the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4. At this time, on the vertical CCDs 333 in the odd number arrays, the synthesized signals are vertically transported toward the horizontal transport parts 336 a. The horizontal transport parts 336 a fetch the synthesized signals outputted from the vertical CCDs 333 in the odd number arrays in a unit of a row. In this state, the control circuit 335 supplies control pulses for horizontal transport to the horizontal transport parts 336 a to horizontally transport the synthesized signals in sequence. Through such operations, image signals corresponding to the synthesized signals in the odd number arrays are outputted from the horizontal transport parts 336 a. On the vertical CCDs 333 in the even number arrays, the synthesized signals are vertically transported in the reverse direction toward the horizontal transport parts 336 b. The horizontal transport parts 336 b fetch the synthesized signals outputted from the vertical CCDs 333 in the even number arrays in a unit of a row. In this state, the control circuit 335 supplies control pulses for horizontal transport to the horizontal transport parts 336 b to horizontally transport the synthesized signals in sequence. Through such operations, image signals corresponding to the synthesized signals in the even number arrays are outputted from the horizontal transport parts 336 b. Through a series of such transport operations, the image signals (namely, draft images) having pixels arranged in a diagonal grid pattern are separately read out in parallel in the even number arrays and in the odd number arrays. These image signals, after being processed in parallel through the A/D converting section 15 and the signal processing section 16, are tentatively recorded in the buffer memory 17.
FIG. 26 shows a color pattern of the synthesized signals read out in the diagonal grid imaging mode. FIG. 27 shows apertures of the diagonal imaging mode.
FIG. 28B is a view showing closest sampling points of the draft images. Assuming that the pixel pitch of photosensors 331 is P, the diagonal pitch of the closest sampling points is √{square root over (2)}·P.
FIG. 28C is a view showing a pixel pattern of image signals outputted in the diagonal grid imaging mode. An image processing section 19 fetches this diagonal grid pixel pattern and interpolates pixels positioned at the centers of the crosspoints of the diagonal grid pattern.
FIG. 28D is a view showing a pixel pattern after this interpolation. As an interpolation method in this case, an interpolation method of simply leveling off upper, lower, left, and right pixels may be used. Alternatively, an interpolation method of judging local similarity of images and increasing weighting in a similarity direction may be used.
FIG. 28E is a view showing a pixel pattern after such variable magnification. As such variable magnification, an interpolation method such as a bi-cubic method, a bi-linear method, a nearest neighbor method, or the like is usable. Further, the image in FIG. 28E may be directly generated without going through the state in FIG. 28D, by the direct use of any of these interpolation methods for the diagonal grid pattern shown in FIG. 28C.
FIG. 30A shows pixel sampling points in this diagonal grid imaging mode. In the diagonal grid imaging mode, photo signals generated by the respective photosensors 351 are sampled for readout in a diagonal grid pattern, as shown in this drawing.
FIG. 30B shows pixel sampling points in the grid imaging mode. In the grid imaging mode, as shown in this drawing, the photo signals generated by the respective photosensors 351 are sampled in a grid pattern for readout. [Wiring of Transport electrodes φV1 to φV4]
First horizontal transport parts recited in the claims correspond to the horizontal transport parts 356 a. Second horizontal transport parts recited in the claims correspond to the horizontal transport parts 356 b. [Explanation on Operation in Grid Imaging Mode]
Subsequently, the control circuit 355 supplies four-phase-driving control pulses to the transport electrodes φV1 to φV4. At this time, on the vertical CCDs 353 in odd number arrays, the synthesized signals are vertically transported toward the horizontal transport parts 356 a. The horizontal transport parts 356 a fetch only one row of the synthesized signals outputted from the vertical CCDs 353 in the odd number arrays. In this state, the control circuit 355 supplies control pulses for horizontal transport to the horizontal transport parts 356 a to horizontally transport the synthesized signals in sequence. Through the repetition of such operations, image signals corresponding to the synthesized signals in the odd number arrays are outputted from the horizontal transport parts 356 a. Meanwhile, on the vertical CCDs 353 in even number arrays, the synthesized signals are vertically transported toward the horizontal transport parts 356 b in sequence. The horizontal transport parts 356 b fetch the synthesized signals outputted from the vertical CCD 353 in the even number arrays in a unit of a row. In this state, the control circuit 355 supplies control pulses for horizontal transport to the horizontal transport parts 356 b to horizontally transport the synthesized signals in sequence. Through such operations, image signals corresponding to the synthesized signals in the even number arrays are outputted from the horizontal transport parts 356 b. Through such transport operations, the image signals (namely, draft images) having pixels arranged in a grid pattern in the even number arrays and those in the odd number arrays are separately read out in parallel. These image signals are processed in parallel through an A/D converting section 15 and a signal processing section 16, and thereafter, tentatively recorded in a buffer memory 17. The image processing section 19 performs two-dimensional image processing such as color interpolation on the draft images in this buffer memory 17. The processed image data are compressedly stored on a memory card 21 via a recording section 20.
FIG. 32 is a view showing apertures of the grid imaging mode.
FIG. 34 is a view showing apertures in the diagonal grid imaging mode.
FIG. 35B shows closest sampling points of the draft images. Assuming that the diagonal pitch of photosensors 351 is P, the horizontal distance and the vertical distance between the closest sampling points equal to √{square root over (2)}·P.
FIG. 35C shows a unit of adding-up of the draft images.
FIG. 35D shows a pixel pattern of the draft images.
FIG. 36A is a view showing sampling positions of the monochrome image signals.
FIG. 36B shows closest sampling points of the monochrome image data.
FIG. 36C is a view showing a pixel pattern after such interpolation. As an interpolation method in this case, an interpolation method of leveling off upper, lower, left, and right pixels may be adopted. Alternatively, an interpolation method of judging local similarity of images and increasing weighting in a similarity direction to take weighted average may be adopted.
FIG. 36D is a view showing a pixel pattern after such a variable magnification process. As such a variable magnification process, it is preferable to use a process in FIG. 36D in which pixel values at the crosspoints are generated through the use of a bi-cubic method, a bi-linear method, a nearest neighbor method, or other interpolation methods. Incidentally, the pixel values at the crosspoints in FIG. 36D may be directly generated by applying any of these interpolation methods to the diagonal grid pattern shown in FIG. 36A.
[1] In a conventional draft mode, thinning-out is performed on pixels in a grid pattern to obtain draft images with the same grid pattern. Consequently, an information amount of the images is simply reduced in vertical and horizontal directions, which results in draft images lacking in sharpness. The imaging devices in the present embodiments, on the other hand, selectively have the grid imaging mode in which the photo signals generated on the light-receiving surface are sampled in a grid pattern for readout, and the diagonal grid imaging mode in which the photo signals are sampled in a diagonal grid pattern for readout.
[2] In the conventional draft mode, thinning-out is performed for pixels in a grid pattern to obtain draft images with the same grid pattern. For example, when every other pixel is thinned out in a vertical direction in the conventional example, thinned-out images with the number of pixels being reduced to half can be obtained. In this case, the number of pixels only in a vertical direction is decreased, so that sharpness in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction becomes uneven. Meanwhile, when every other pixel is thinned out in the horizontal direction, thinned-out images whose number of pixels is reduced to half are obtainable. Also in this case, the number of pixels only in the horizontal direction is decreased, so that sharpness in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction becomes uneven. When every other pixels is thinned out in the vertical and horizontal directions, uniform sharpness in the vertical and horizontal directions can be obtained, but the number of pixels is decreased to ¼, so that sharpness of the entire images is deteriorated compared with the thinned-out images whose pixel number is decreased to half. In the imaging device in these embodiments, on the other hand, the grid pattern is used in one of the imaging modes and the diagonal grid pattern is used in the other imaging mode. Therefore, even when the number of pixels in one mode is, for example, a half of the number of pixels in the other mode, images isotopically superior in sharpness are obtained in both of the imaging modes.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4558365Jun 6, 1983Dec 10, 1985Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.High-resolution high-sensitivity solid-state imaging sensorUS4799109 *Jan 27, 1988Jan 17, 1989U.S. Philips Corp.Charge coupled sensor arrangementUS4972254Feb 19, 1988Nov 20, 1990Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaSolid state image sensors for reproducing high definition imagesUS6522356Aug 13, 1997Feb 18, 2003Sharp Kabushiki KaishaColor solid-state imaging apparatusUS6665010 *Jul 21, 1998Dec 16, 2003Intel CorporationControlling integration times of pixel sensorsUS6686960 *Feb 17, 1999Feb 3, 2004Sony CorporationMethod for driving an imaging device and image pickup device wherein signals corresponding to same color outputs are combinedUS6717190 *Feb 14, 2003Apr 6, 2004Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Solid-state image pick-up deviceUS6765611 *Nov 21, 2000Jul 20, 2004Eastman Kodak CompanyMethod for compressing an image from a sparsely sampled extended dynamic range image sensing deviceUS6914633 *Oct 6, 2000Jul 5, 2005Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Charge transfer path having lengthwisely varying channel width and image pickup device using itUS6982751 *Apr 13, 2000Jan 3, 2006Sony CorporationSolid-state imaging apparatus, its driving method, and camera systemUS7010172Jul 27, 2000Mar 7, 2006Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Image acquiring method, image processing method, and image transforming methodUS7110031 *Dec 20, 2001Sep 19, 2006Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.State image pickup apparatus having pixel shift layoutUS7230646 *Dec 22, 2000Jun 12, 2007Florida Atlantic UniversitySingle sensor electronic video camera technique with diagonally coupled pixelsJP2000023171A Title not availableJP2000023172A Title not availableJP2000197066A Title not availableJP2001085664A Title not availableJP2001111027A Title not availableJP2001128069A Title not availableJPH0564082A Title not availableJPH03119875A Title not availableJPH09168158A Title not availableJPH10178649A Title not availableJPS60217761A Title not available* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1Tetsuo Yamada et al. "A Progressive Scan CCD Image Sensor for DSC applications", Aug. 8, 2000, Fuji Film Research & Development, No. 46-2001, pp. 82-91.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8169521 *May 20, 2008May 1, 2012Sywe Neng LeeImage sampling method and image processing method thereofUS20090290036 *May 20, 2008Nov 26, 2009Sywe Neng LeeImage sampling method and image processing method thereof* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification348/315, 348/294International ClassificationH01L27/148, H04N5/335, H04N9/04, H04N5/372, H04N5/341, H04N9/07Cooperative ClassificationH04N9/045, H04N3/1525, H01L27/14868, H04N3/1575, H04N3/1562European ClassificationH04N3/15E4, H01L27/148F, H04N3/15F, H04N9/04B, H04N3/15DLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 8, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: NIKON CORPORATION, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UTAGAWA, KEN;REEL/FRAME:014497/0329Effective date: 20030828Aug 5, 2015FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services