CMOS sensor alliance targets high-end digital photography market

17 Jun 2002

FillFactory of Belgium and Leaf Products of the US have formed a strategic alliance to develop and market large-area CMOS sensor-based solutions targeted at servicing and expanding the market of high-end digital photography.

The two companies will combine their expertise in digital photography and CMOS image sensors to offer complete solutions.

They intend to take a systems approach to the design and development of state-of-the-art solutions for advanced digital imaging. The development of future CMOS imagers and related electronics will be coordinated, integrating superior active pixel design, high sensitivity and low noise levels, with high-speed quality data processing resulting in crystal clear digitally produced images.

The two companies co-operated in the development of the Leaf C-Most 6.6 mega pixel sensor, which is now in the final commercialization phase. Leaf Products and FillFactory will base this new offer on the Leaf C-Most, combining Leaf and FillFactory know-how and technologies.

Leaf Products is a subsidiary of CreoScitex, which was formed in April 2000 by uniting the digital prepress and print-on-demand initiatives of Creo Products Inc and Scitex Corporation. Core product lines include image-capture systems; inkjet proofers; thermal imaging devices for films, plates, and proofs; professional color and copydot scanning systems; and workflow management software. CreoScitex is also an original equipment manufacture supplier of imaging technology for on-press imaging equipment.

FillFactory is a developer and producer of CMOS image sensors based on numerous patented technologies. The company's image sensors have large pixel counts and a large area, as well as high frame rates and a large dynamic range. FillFactory offers standard CMOS image sensor products and it designs and produces customized CMOS imagers. FillFactory was established in December 1999 as a spin-off of IMEC in Belgium, a leading European independent research center for the development and licensing of advanced microelectronic technologies.