Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 6838651, I will examine the "Citations (4)" and "Patent Citations (4)" sections provided in the Google Patents data, which list the prior art patents cited against US6838651B1. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool can be used to further investigate these citations, although the Google Patents page already provides the key information.

Here are the patent citations for US6838651 and their details:

Cited Prior Art References

1. US3971065A

   • Full Citation: US3971065A, "Color imaging array"
   • Publication Date: 1976-07-20
   • Priority Date: 1975-03-05
   • Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a color imaging array, which is fundamental to capturing color images. It is likely cited for the general concept of using different color-sensitive elements (pixels) to form a color image, a foundational aspect of CMOS image sensors. The patent describes a repeating array of photosensitive elements with different color filters.
   • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference would likely be considered for the broad concept of a solid-state imaging device comprising different color pixels (red, blue, green). Specifically, it could anticipate elements of claims 1 and 13 relating to the presence of red, blue, and green pixels in an imaging device.

2. US5461425A

   • Full Citation: US5461425A, "CMOS image sensor with pixel level A/D conversion"
   • Publication Date: 1995-10-24
   • Priority Date: 1994-02-15
   • Assignee: Stanford University
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a CMOS image sensor that includes analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion at the pixel level. This is highly relevant as US6838651 focuses on CMOS imagers with multiple A/D converters. The concept of integrating A/D conversion on-chip with CMOS imagers is a core feature of the present invention.
   • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent directly addresses CMOS image sensors with A/D conversion, making it highly relevant to claims 1 and 13 which specify a solid-state imaging device with pixels and analog-to-digital converters. It could specifically anticipate the idea of converting pixel outputs into digital signals using A/D converters.

3. US6380880B1

   • Full Citation: US6380880B1, "Digital pixel sensor with integrated charge transfer amplifier"
   • Publication Date: 2002-04-30
   • Priority Date: 2001-03-30
   • Assignee: Pixim, Incorporated
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a digital pixel sensor with an integrated charge transfer amplifier. While US6838651 generally focuses on multiple A/D converters for high frame rates and snap-shot capability, this prior art could be relevant for its discussion of pixel-level processing and potentially the on-chip integration of components that contribute to signal conversion or amplification within an imaging device.
   • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference might be considered for aspects related to digital pixel sensors and on-chip signal processing within the context of a solid-state imaging device, potentially impacting claims related to the overall architecture of converting pixel outputs into digital signals.

4. US6611289B1

   • Full Citation: US6611289B1, "Digital cameras using multiple sensors with multiple lenses"
   • Publication Date: 2003-08-26
   • Priority Date: 1999-01-15
   • Assignee: Yanbin Yu
   • Brief Description: This patent describes digital cameras that utilize multiple sensors and multiple lenses. While US6838651 focuses on multiple A/D converters within a single CMOS imager chip, this prior art demonstrates the concept of using multiple imaging components to achieve certain photographic results. The relevance here might be in the broader idea of using multiple components (even if different in nature) to improve image capture.
   • Potential Anticipated Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is less directly anticipatory of the specific multiple A/D converter architecture of US6838651. However, it might be considered as general prior art for systems employing multiple sensing elements to achieve improved imaging, potentially in a broader interpretation of combining information from different sources, which is loosely related to the color interpolation aspect of claims 1 and 13.

Most Relevant Prior Art

Based on the descriptions, US5461425A ("CMOS image sensor with pixel level A/D conversion") appears to be the most relevant prior art. US6838651 specifically aims to address the shortcomings of conventional CMOS imagers and improve upon snapshot capability and frame rates through the use of multiple A/D converters. US5461425A directly addresses the integration of A/D conversion within a CMOS image sensor, which is a core technical area that US6838651 seeks to advance by proposing multiple A/D converters and specific allocation of color channels to these converters.