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METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR

  • US 20110074999A1
  • Filed: 09/30/2009
  • Published: 03/31/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for capturing images in an image sensor that includes 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 a respective column of pixels, and a transfer mechanism for transferring charge packets from each pixel to a respective charge storage element, the method comprising:

  • beginning light integration for all of the pixels, wherein the photosensitive areas accumulate charge packets;

    transferring charge packets from a first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a first time, wherein the charge packets from the first portion of pixels have a first integration period;

    ending light integration for all of the pixels;

    reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs;

    transferring charge packets from the same first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time and the charge packets from the first portion of pixels have a second integration period that is different from the first integration period;

    reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs;

    transferring charge packets from a second portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a third time, wherein the charge packets from the second portion of pixels have a third integration period that is substantially equal to the sum of the first and second integration periods; and

    reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs.

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