IP Library Granted Patent US 10,659,655
Granted Patent B2
US 10,659,655 · App. 15/714,429 · Granted May 19, 2020

Image reading apparatus and semiconductor device

Inventor: Takafumi Suzuki (Suwa, JP)
Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
H04N1/40056H04N1/00904H04N1/401H04N1/00907H04N2201/0081
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,659,655
App. No.
15/714,429
Granted
May 19, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image reading apparatus including an image reading chip for reading an image, wherein the image reading chip includes: a terminal; a pixel portion that outputs a pixel signal and includes a light-receiving element that receives and photoelectrically converts light from the image; an output circuit that can output a signal based on the pixel signal with one of a plurality of drive capabilities including a first drive capability and a second drive capability that is larger than the first drive capability; and an output selection circuit that, based on a signal input to the terminal, selects the drive capability of the output circuit.

Claims (80)

1. An image reading apparatus including an image reading chip for reading an image, wherein the image reading chip comprises:

an input terminal;

an output terminal;

a controller configured to:

control a boost circuit that is configured to boost a power source voltage and generate a first transfer control signal; and

generate a second transfer control signal;

a pixel circuit that includes:

a pixel driving circuit configured to generate a driving signal; and

a plurality of pixel portions configured to receive the first transfer control signal, the second transfer control signal, and the driving signal, each pixel portion including a light-receiving element that receives light from the image and photoelectrically converts the light to the pixel signal;

an output circuit that is driven with one of a plurality of drive capabilities including a first drive capability and a second drive capability that is larger than the first drive capability, the output circuit being configured to:

output a signal based on the pixel signal; and

connect the output terminal to an additional ground to implement the second drive capability; and

an output selection circuit configured to, based on a signal input to the input terminal, select the drive capability of the output circuit from the plurality of drive capabilities,

wherein the pixel circuit is configured to output a pixel signal corresponding to light received during an exposure time, the exposure time being determined based on the first transfer control signal, the second transfer control signal, and the driving signal.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the output selection circuit selects the drive capability based on a voltage level of the signal input to the input terminal.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a transporting portion configured to transport a medium on which the image has been formed,

wherein the output selection circuit selects the first drive capability.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first drive capability is the smallest among the plurality of drive capabilities.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a movement portion configured to move the image reading chip,

wherein the output selection circuit selects the second drive capability.

6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second drive capability is the largest among the plurality of drive capabilities.

7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input terminal is electrically connected to a voltage source that outputs a fixed voltage.

8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a control circuit configured to control an operation of the image reading chip,

wherein the signal input to the input terminal is transferred from the control circuit.

9. A semiconductor device comprising:

an input terminal;

an output terminal;

a controller configured to:

control a boost circuit that is configured to boost a power source voltage and generate a first transfer control signal; and

generate a second transfer control signal;

a pixel circuit that includes:

a pixel driving circuit configured to generate a driving signal; and

a plurality of pixel portions configured to receive the first transfer control signal, the second transfer control signal, and the driving signal, each pixel portion including a light-receiving element that receives light and converts the light to an electrical signal and is configured to output a pixel signal correspond to the electrical signal;

an output circuit that is driven with one of a plurality of drive capabilities including a first drive capability and a second drive capability that is larger than the first drive capability, the output circuit being configured to:

output a signal based on the pixel signal; and

connect the output terminal to an additional ground to implement the second drive capability; and

an output selection circuit configured to, based on a signal input to the input terminal, select the drive capability of the output circuit,

wherein the pixel circuit is configured to output a pixel signal corresponding to light received during an exposure time, the exposure time being determined based on the first transfer control signal, the second transfer control signal, and the driving signal.

10. A semiconductor device comprising:

an input terminal;

an output terminal;

a controller configured to:

control a boost circuit that is configured to generate a first transfer control signal; and

generate a second transfer control signal;

a pixel circuit that includes:

a pixel driving circuit configured to generate a driving signal; and

a plurality of pixel portions configured to receive the first transfer control signal, the second transfer control signal, and the driving signal, each pixel portion including a light-receiving element that receives light and converts the light to an electrical signal and is configured to output a pixel signal correspond to the electrical signal;

an output circuit that is driven with one of a plurality of drive capabilities including a first drive capability and a second drive capability that is larger than the first drive capability, the output circuit being configured to:

output a signal based on the pixel signal; and

connect the output terminal to an additional ground to implement the second drive capability; and

an output selection circuit configured to, based on a signal input to the input terminal, select the drive capability of the output circuit,

wherein the pixel circuit is configured to output a pixel signal corresponding to light received during an exposure time, the exposure time being determined based on the first transfer control signal, the second transfer control signal, and the driving signal.

11. The semiconductor device according to claim 10 , wherein the output selection circuit selects the drive capability based on a voltage level of the signal input to the input terminal.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

the semiconductor device according to claim 10 that is configured to read an image; and

a transporting portion configured to transport a medium on which the image has been formed,

wherein the output selection circuit selects the first drive capability.

13. The semiconductor device according to claim 12 , wherein the first drive capability is the smallest among the plurality of drive capabilities.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

the semiconductor device according to claim 10 ; and

a movement portion configured to move the semiconductor device according to claim 10 ,

wherein the output selection circuit selects the second drive capability.

15. The semiconductor device according to claim 10 , wherein the second drive capability is the largest among the plurality of drive capabilities.

16. The semiconductor device according to claim 10 , wherein the input terminal is electrically connected to a voltage source that outputs a fixed voltage.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

the semiconductor device according to claim 10 ; and

a control circuit configured to control an operation of the semiconductor device according to claim 10 ,

wherein the signal input to the input terminal is transferred from the control circuit.

18. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second input terminal,

wherein the output selection circuit is configured to decode output control signals respectively input through the input terminals to generate drive capability selection signals, and supply the drive capability selection signals to the output circuit.

19. The semiconductor device according to claim 9 , further comprising:

a second input terminal,

wherein the output selection circuit is configured to decode output control signals respectively input through the input terminals to generate drive capability selection signals, and supply the drive capability selection signals to the output circuit.

20. The semiconductor device according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a second input terminal,

wherein the output selection circuit is configured to decode output control signals respectively input through the input terminals to generate drive capability selection signals, and supply the drive capability selection signals to the output circuit.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 1, 2024
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: CRYSTAL LEAP ZRT
Reel/Frame 066162/0434 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2017
From: SUZUKI, TAKAFUMI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043683/0844 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-190812 · Sep 29, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180091696A1 · Mar 29, 2018