Patent ID: 8760547

Claim:
An image converter, comprising: a pixel array having multiple imager pixels adapted to output imager pixel signals; and a readout and processing device adapted to read out the pixel array and to receive and process the imager pixel signals; wherein the pixel array includes multiple reference pixels adapted to output reference pixel signals, and at least one reference current device adapted to output reference currents to the multiple reference pixels to simulate illumination intensities; and wherein the readout and processing device is adapted to jointly read out, receive, and process the reference pixel signals and the imager pixel signals; wherein the at least one reference current device includes reference current sources adapted to supply the multiple reference pixels with different reference current values, the reference current sources each being connected in parallel to a parasitic capacitor and to a photodiode of a particular reference pixel, and the reference current sources adapted to charge the parasitic capacitor with a reference current value during readout operation.