METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR
First Claim
1. A method for capturing overlapped images with different integration periods using an image sensor comprised of a plurality of pixels each including a photosensitive area, a plurality of vertical charge coupled devices (VCCDs) each comprising a plurality of charge storage elements and positioned adjacent to respective columns of pixels, transfer mechanisms for transferring charge packets from the photosensitive areas to respective charge storage elements, and a horizontal charge coupled device (HCCD) comprising a plurality of charge storage elements, the method comprising:
- opening a mechanical shutter and beginning light integration for all of the pixels;
after a first period of time, resetting a first portion of pixels by transferring charge packets from the photosensitive areas in the first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs;
temporarily storing the charge packets from the first portion of pixels in the VCCDs;
after a second period of time, closing the mechanical shutter and ending light integration for all of the pixels;
transferring charge packets from photosensitive areas in a second portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs and temporarily storing charge packets for a third portion of pixels in the photosensitive areas of the third portion of pixels, wherein the second portion of pixels is different from the first portion of pixels;
reading out the charge packets in the VCCDs;
transferring charge packets from the third portion of pixels into respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs; and
reading out the charge packets in the VCCDs.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for capturing overlapped images with different integration periods using an image sensor comprised of a plurality of pixels each including a photosensitive area, a plurality of vertical charge coupled devices (VCCDs) each comprising a plurality of charge storage elements and positioned adjacent to respective columns of pixels, transfer mechanisms for transferring charge packets from the photosensitive areas to respective charge storage elements, and a horizontal charge coupled device (HCCD) comprising a plurality of charge storage elements, the method comprising:
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opening a mechanical shutter and beginning light integration for all of the pixels; after a first period of time, resetting a first portion of pixels by transferring charge packets from the photosensitive areas in the first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs; temporarily storing the charge packets from the first portion of pixels in the VCCDs; after a second period of time, closing the mechanical shutter and ending light integration for all of the pixels; transferring charge packets from photosensitive areas in a second portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs and temporarily storing charge packets for a third portion of pixels in the photosensitive areas of the third portion of pixels, wherein the second portion of pixels is different from the first portion of pixels; reading out the charge packets in the VCCDs; transferring charge packets from the third portion of pixels into respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs; and reading out the charge packets in the VCCDs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification