Multi-photodetector unit cell
First Claim
1. A multi-cell cluster comprising:
- a plurality of light detecting unit cells, each said cell producing charge representative of said detected light; and
a circuit shared by said plurality of unit cells, said circuit for reading-out said charge in generally real-time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-cell cluster which includes a plurality of light-detecting unit cells and a single charge-integration and readout circuitry. Typically, each of the cells produces charge representative of the detected light. The circuit may be shared by the plurality of unit cells, and used to read-out the charge in real-time. The cluster may also include a switch associated with each unit cell, such that each switch connects its associated unit cell to the circuit. The switch may also be controlled in a time-multiplexing manner. Each unit cell may include a photodetector, a photodiode, or a photogate. The circuit may include a shared storage device, a shared reset circuit, or a readout circuit. Typically, the shared storage device may be for accumulating the charge in the focal plane. The here-above described apparatus facilitates either static or dynamic, either local or global image resolution/sensitivity tradeoffs.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A multi-cell cluster comprising:
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a plurality of light detecting unit cells, each said cell producing charge representative of said detected light; and
a circuit shared by said plurality of unit cells, said circuit for reading-out said charge in generally real-time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A sensing array comprising:
a multiplicity of clusters, said clusters comprising;
a plurality of unit cells for detecting light and producing charge representative of said light; and
a circuit shared by said unit cells for controlling the operation of said unit cells and accumulating said charge;
sampling lines each connected to a row of clusters for sampling said accumulated charge in said row; and
sensing lines each connected to a column of clusters for sensing said sampled charge present in said columns. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method for operating an image sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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integrating charge from one or more unit cells of a cluster;
during said step of integrating, summing charge in a focal plane, said charge being from said at least one of unit cell; and
reading out said summed charge. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification