US4742238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Non-linear photoelectric converting apparatus with means for changing drainage performance
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1986-10-01
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Granted: 1988-05-03
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Expires: 2006-10-01
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a non-linear photoelectric converting apparatus comprising: a photosensing unit for converting a photosignal into a charge signal; a photoelectric converting device consisting of a charge detecting unit to transfer the charges generated in the photosensing unit through the gate and convert them into the voltage signal; and a draining unit for draining the charges temporarily accumulated in the photosensing unit of the photoelectric converting device for an accumulation period, wherein the draining performance of the draining unit is gradually changed for the charge accumulation period.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuichi Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/50; H04N25/57; H04N25/571; H04N25/575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A non-linear photoelectirc converting apparatus comprising; (a) a photosensing unit for converting a photo signal into an electric signal; (b) draining means for draining the electric signal produced in said photo sensing unit from the photo sensing unit; and (c) control means for allowing the photo signal to be converted into the electric signal and accumulated in the photo sensing unit for a predetermined period, and for gradually changing a draining performance of said draining means within said predetermined period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A non-linear photoelectirc converting apparatus comprising; (a) a photosensing unit for converting a photo signal into an electric signal; (b) draining means for draining the electric signal produced in said photo sensing unit from the photo sensing unit; and (c) control means for allowing the photo signal to be converted into the electric signal and accumulated in the photo sensing unit for a predetermined period, and for gradually changing a draining performance of said draining means within said predetermined period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said draining means includes a drain to drain the electric signal in said photo sensing unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means gradually reduces the draining performance of said draining means within said predetermined period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further including readout means for reading out the electric signal in said photo sensing unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said draining means includes gate means arranged between said drain and said photo sensing unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means controls a potential level of said gate means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means continuously changes the potential level of said gate means within said predetermined period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means intermittently changes the potential level of said gate means a plurality of times within said predetermined period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said draining means reads out the electric signal in said photo sensing unit through said readout means a plurality of times within said predetermined period, thereby draining the electric signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said readout means has: an output amplifier for outputting the electric signal of said photo sensing unit; and gate means which is arranged between the photo sensing unit and said output amplifier and can change the potential level to lead the electric signal in the photo sensing unit to the output amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control means changes the potential level of said gate means, thereby changing said draining performance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A non-linear photoelectric converting apparatus comprising: (a) a photo sensing unit for converting a photo signal into an electric signal;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A non-linear photoelectric converting apparatus comprising: (a) a photo sensing unit for converting a photo signal into an electric signal;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
(b) draining means for removing the electric signal of a level above a predetermined level in the electric signal formed in said photo sensing unit from the photo sensing unit; and (c) control means for allowing the photo signal to be converted into the electric signal and accumulated in said photo sensing unit for a predetermined period, and for gradually changing said predetermined level within said predetermined period.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
(b) draining means for removing the electric signal of a level above a predetermined level in the electric signal formed in said photo sensing unit from the photo sensing unit; and (c) control means for allowing the photo signal to be converted into the electric signal and accumulated in said photo sensing unit for a predetermined period, and for gradually changing said predetermined level within said predetermined period.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means gradually increases said predetermined level within said predetermined period.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said draining means includes gate means for leading the electric signal in said photo sensing unit to a portion out of the photo sensing unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said photo sensing unit includes a storage unit to store the electric signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4260900A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |