18746479. SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT simplified abstract (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)

SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT

Organization Name

SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

Luonghung Asakura of Kanagawa (JP)

Yoshiaki Inada of Tokyo (JP)

SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18746479 titled 'SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes solid-state imaging elements that utilize capacitive elements to hold reset and signal levels for reading exposure amounts.

• The upstream circuit generates reset and signal levels sequentially.
• First and second capacitive elements hold the reset and signal levels.
• A selection circuit connects one capacitive element to a downstream node at a time.
• A downstream reset transistor initializes the downstream node when both capacitive elements are disconnected.
• A downstream circuit reads the reset and signal levels from the capacitive elements and outputs them.

Key Features and Innovation:

• Sequential generation of reset and signal levels.
• Capacitive elements hold levels for reading exposure amounts.
• Selection circuit connects capacitive elements to downstream node.
• Downstream reset transistor initializes the downstream node.
• Downstream circuit reads and outputs reset and signal levels.

Potential Applications: The technology can be used in digital cameras, medical imaging devices, and other imaging systems that require accurate exposure readings.

Problems Solved: The technology addresses the need for precise exposure level readings in solid-state imaging devices.

Benefits:

• Improved accuracy in exposure level readings.
• Enhanced image quality in imaging systems.
• Efficient operation of solid-state imaging elements.

Commercial Applications: Potential commercial applications include digital cameras, medical imaging equipment, surveillance systems, and scientific imaging devices.

Prior Art: Readers can explore prior art related to solid-state imaging elements, capacitive element technology, and exposure level reading methods in imaging devices.

Frequently Updated Research: Researchers are continually exploring advancements in solid-state imaging technology, capacitive element design, and exposure level reading techniques.

Questions about Solid-State Imaging Elements: 1. What are the key components of solid-state imaging elements? 2. How does the selection circuit in solid-state imaging elements work?

1. A relevant generic question not answered by the article, with a detailed answer. - How does the downstream reset transistor contribute to the functionality of solid-state imaging elements? The downstream reset transistor initializes the level of the downstream node when both capacitive elements are disconnected, ensuring a clean slate for reading the reset and signal levels from the capacitive elements.

2. Another relevant generic question, with a detailed answer. - What are the potential applications of solid-state imaging elements beyond digital cameras? Solid-state imaging elements can be utilized in various fields such as medical imaging devices, surveillance systems, scientific imaging equipment, and industrial inspection systems for accurate exposure level readings and high-quality image capture.

Original Abstract Submitted

Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit sequentially generates a predetermined reset level and a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes first and second capacitive elements to hold the reset level and the signal level. A selection circuit sequentially connects one of the capacitive elements to a predetermined downstream node, disconnects both capacitive elements from the downstream node, and connects the other capacitive element to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when both capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node. A downstream circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the signal level from the first and second capacitive elements via the downstream node and outputs the reset level and the signal level.