{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8466991","patent":{"patent_number":"US-8466991","title":"Optical black pixel cell readout systems and methods","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2010-07-19T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2013-06-18T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":19,"abstract":"This is generally directed to systems and methods for reading optical black pixel cells. For example, in some embodiments, the columns of a pixel array can be shunted together during an optical black pixel readout phase of the imaging system. This may, for example, help improve correction of column fixed pattern noise or other noise. In some embodiments, the column may be shunted together during the optical black pixel readout phase of the imaging system and not shunted during other phases of the imaging system (e.g., when reading values from active pixel cells, barrier pixel cells, etc). In some embodiments, circuitry for providing the column shunting can be implemented as an independent block of the imaging system. In other embodiments, this circuitry can be implemented within other blocks of the imaging system. As an illustration, the shunting circuitry can be implemented within a VLN block of the imaging system."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Optical black pixel cell readout systems and methods","description":"This is generally directed to systems and methods for reading optical black pixel cells. For example, in some embodiments, the columns of a pixel array can be shunted together during an optical black ","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8466991","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8466991","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Optical black pixel cell readout systems and methods\" (US-8466991). https://patentable.app/patents/US-8466991","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8466991","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-8466991","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T10:35:12.243Z"}