Pixel array with high and low resolution mode
First Claim
1. A pixel array having a low resolution mode comprising:
- a first signal line;
a second signal line;
a first row select line;
a second row select line;
an array of pixel elements, each pixel element coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line;
a switch coupled between the first signal line and the second signal line wherein the switch is activated independent of the first row select line and the second row select line; and
means for conveying a charge associated with each pixel element between the pixel element and a predetermined signal line.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Pixel array including a high resolution mode and a low resolution mode and method of reading out the pixel array in a high and low resolution mode. The pixel array includes a first signal line and a second signal line. An array of pixel elements are provided, each pixel element coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line. A switch mechanism is provided for coupling the first signal line to the second signal line. A mechanism is also provided for conveying a charge associated with each pixel element to the first signal line or the second signal line. A mechanism may also be provided for buffering signals between the first signal line, the second signal line, and an output signal line.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A pixel array having a low resolution mode comprising:
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a first signal line; a second signal line; a first row select line; a second row select line; an array of pixel elements, each pixel element coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line; a switch coupled between the first signal line and the second signal line wherein the switch is activated independent of the first row select line and the second row select line; and means for conveying a charge associated with each pixel element between the pixel element and a predetermined signal line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a pixel array for use in an imaging device, the pixel array having an array of pixel elements, a first signal line, a second signal line, a pair of adjacent column select lines, and a pair of adjacent row select lines, the improvement comprising means for coupling the first signal line to the second signal line, wherein each pixel element includes:
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a phototransducer means; means for conveying signals between the phototransducer means and a predetermined signal line, wherein the means for conveying signals is responsive to an activated row select line and an activated column select line; first means for activating the pair of adjacent column select lines; and second means for activating the pair of adjacent row select lines, wherein the means for coupling the first signal line to the second signal line is activated independent of the pair of adjacent column select lines and pair of adjacent row select lines. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a pixel array for use in an imaging device, the pixel array having an array of pixel elements, a first signal line, a second signal line, a pair of adjacent column select lines, and a pair of adjacent row select lines, the improvement comprising means for coupling the first signal line to the second signal line, wherein each pixel element includes:
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a phototransducer means; means for conveying signals between the phototransducer means and a predetermined signal line, wherein the means for conveying signals is responsive to an activated row select line and an activated column select line; first means for activating the pair of adjacent column select lines; and
second means for activating the pair of adjacent row select lines, wherein the means for coupling the first signal line to the second signal line is activated independent of the pair of adjacent column select lines and pair of adjacent row select lines, andwherein the pixel array is part of a large area array formed of a plurality of pixel arrays butted together in a side-by-side seamless manner, and further comprising read-out circuitry, wherein the read-out circuitry from the pixel arrays can be located either below the pixel element or adjacent the pixel element of each individual pixel array. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of reading out a pixel array in a low resolution mode, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first output signal line and a second output signal line; providing a first row select line and a second row select line, providing an array of pixel elements, each pixel element coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line; coupling the first output signal line to the second output signal line independent of the first row select line and the second row select line; and reading a charge associated with each pixel element to the first output signal line and the second output signal line, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A pixel array having a low resolution mode comprising:
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a first signal line; a second signal line; an array of pixel elements, each pixel element coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line; switch means for coupling between the first signal line and the second signal line, wherein the switch means is activated independent of the first row select line and the second row select line; and means for conveying a charge associated with each pixel element between the pixel element and a predetermined signal line. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A pixel array including an array of pixel elements, the pixel array having a low resolution mode, the pixel array comprising:
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M signal lines, wherein M is greater than or equal to 2; X row select lines, wherein X is greater than or equal to 2; N column select lines, wherein N is greater than or equal to 2; M-1 switches coupling together the M signal lines; means for simultaneously activating M-1 switches and selecting N columns, independent of any of the X row select lines; wherein each pixel element includes a phototransducer means; and means for conveying signals between the phototransducer means and a predetermined signal line, wherein the means for conveying signals is responsive to an activated column select line.
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33. A medical imager including a pixel array having a high resolution radiographic imaging mode and a low resolution fluoroscopic imaging mode, the pixel array comprising:
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a first signal line; a second signal line; a switch coupled between the first signal line and the second signal line; an array of pixel elements, each pixel element coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line; means for conveying a charge associated with each pixel element between the pixel element and a predetermined signal line; and means for switching the medical imager between the high resolution radiographic imaging mode and the low resolution fluoroscopic imaging mode, including means for activating the switch. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification