Apparatus having an image sensor that is variable in spatial resolution and bit resolution and associated method

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6552746
SERIAL NO

09337473

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Abstract

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The invention relates to a CMOS image sensor that can be embedded in portable imaging systems. This high spatial resolution and low bit resolution CMOS area image sensor not only enables portable imaging systems such as cellular fax phone, portable copy machines, barcode reader, but also it can be fabricated in standard digital CMOS processes, particularly at 0.35 micron and below. This invention also discloses several portable imaging systems using such a CMOS image sensor. This invention further discloses a CMOS image sensor that has variable spatial resolution and bit resolution. Starting as a high spatial resolution low-bit resolution image sensor, the high bit-resolution is achieved by combining information from a group of nearest-neighbor pixels into a single super-pixel via spatial oversampling. This variable CMOS image sensor can be used in a multiple function imaging device for both document and video imaging, or photography.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
PIXIM INC883 NORTH SHORELINE BLVD SUITE 200 MOUNTAIN VIEW CA 94042

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Deng, Zhonghan Albany, CA 11 453
Yang, Xiao D Palo Alto, CA 2 202

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