Appeal No. 2006-1049
Application No. 09/667,826
37. An infrared focal plane array [as set out in claim 31], comprising:
a plurality of detector elements configured in a two dimensional array; and
a readout circuit electrically coupled to said plurality of detector elements
and structurally integrated therewith, said readout circuit comprising:
a sample and hold capacitor;
means for biasing the detector elements so as to provide an analog
detection signal from each detector element corresponding to the infrared
radiation incident thereon, wherein the analog detection signal is a voltage
signal provided at a sample node coupled to the sample and hold capacitor;
and
means for correcting the analog detection signal from each detector
element by a discrete offset correction and providing a corrected analog
detection signal, wherein the discrete offset correction varies from detector
element to detector element and comprises an offset correction voltage
added to, or subtracted from, the voltage signal, wherein said means for
correcting subtracts or adds a variable amount of charge from said sample
and hold capacitor to provide a corrected voltage signal at said sample node,
and wherein said means for correcting comprises a plurality of parallel
connected constant current sources connected between said sample node and
reference voltage and a plurality of switches corresponding to said plurality
of constant current sources and respectively coupled in series therewith.
38. An infrared focal plane array as set out in claim [31] 33, wherein said
readout circuit further comprises a differential amplifier having first and second
inputs, the first input thereof coupled to said sample node and said second input
thereof coupled to a adjustable voltage source.
39. through 40. (NO CHANGE)
41. An infrared focal plane array as set out in claim [29] 33 wherein said
plurality of detector elements and said readout circuit are formed as a single
monolithic integrated circuit wherein said readout circuit acts as a substrate for
said detector elements.
42. through 57. (CANCELLED)
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