Methods and apparatus for charge coupled device image acquisition with independent integration and readout
First Claim
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1. An image acquisition apparatus comprising:
- A. a charge coupled device including a photosensitive region having one or more photosensitive charge collection sites, a non-photosensitive region having one or more non-photosensitive readout sites, the readout sites being coupled any of directly and indirectly to corresponding charge collection sites, the photosensitive region responding to an applied transfer signal for moving charges accumulated on the charge collection sites to corresponding non-photosensitive readout sites, the non-photosensitive region responding to a read signal applied independently of the transfer signal for outputting charges from the readout sites, B. a head unit, coupled to the charge coupled device, that generates an image signal based on charges output from the readout sites.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for image acquisition utilize a charge coupled device having a photosensitive region that responds to an applied transfer signal by transferring charge accumulated on the collection sites to the corresponding readout sites. The non-photosensitive region responds to a read signal, applied independently of the transfer signal, by outputting (e.g., to the host camera or image acquisition system) charges on the readout sites. The methods and apparatus take advantage of the inherent storage capability of the non-photosensitive sites by using them to hold image information pending application of the readout signal, thereby, conserving host resources.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An image acquisition apparatus comprising:
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A. a charge coupled device including a photosensitive region having one or more photosensitive charge collection sites, a non-photosensitive region having one or more non-photosensitive readout sites, the readout sites being coupled any of directly and indirectly to corresponding charge collection sites, the photosensitive region responding to an applied transfer signal for moving charges accumulated on the charge collection sites to corresponding non-photosensitive readout sites, the non-photosensitive region responding to a read signal applied independently of the transfer signal for outputting charges from the readout sites, B. a head unit, coupled to the charge coupled device, that generates an image signal based on charges output from the readout sites. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
A. a control unit that responds to requests from a host by generating and applying to the head unit signals for acquiring an image, and B. the head unit responding to signals applied thereto by the control unit for applying to the charge coupled device (i) the transfer signal for moving charges accumulated on the charge collection sites to corresponding readout sites, and (ii) the read signal causing charges to be output from the readout sites. -
3. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit generates and applies to the head unit at least one of (i) a shutter pulse defining at least a duration of charge integration by the charge coupled device, and (ii) a readout signal that effects output of charges from the readout sites.
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4. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the head unit responds to the shutter pulse for applying to the charge coupled device a reset signal for clearing the charge collection sites and for applying to the charge coupled device the transfer signal for causing charges accumulated on those sites to be transferred to the readout sites so as to effect an integration period having the duration in accord with that defined by the shutter pulse.
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5. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the head unit applies the read signal to the charge coupled device subsequent to application of the transfer signal so as to effect output to the head unit of charges in the readout sites.
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6. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit includes a video path that conditions the image signal received from the head unit.
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7. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the video path includes a gain adjustment element that any of (i) adjusts a gain of the image signal received from the head unit, and (ii) increases an amplitude of that image signal.
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8. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 6, wherein video path includes a level correction element that eliminates residual offsets in the image signal received from the head unit.
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9. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, comprising
A. a control unit that responds to a request from a host by generating and applying to the head unit (i) a shutter pulse defining at least a duration of charge integration by the charge coupled device, and (ii) a readout signal that effects output of charges from the readout sites, B. the head unit responding to the shutter pulse for applying to the charge coupled device a reset signal for clearing the charge collection sites and for applying to the charge coupled device the transfer signal for causing charges accumulated on those sites to be transferred to the readout site, C. the head unit responding to the readout signal applied thereto by the control unit for applying the read signal to the charge coupled device for effecting output of charges in the readout sites, and D. the control unit including a video path that conditions the image signal generated by the head unit from charges output from the readout sites. -
10. An image acquisition apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the video path includes
i) a gain adjustment element that any of (a) adjusts gain of the image signal received from the head unit, and (b) increases an amplitude of that image signal, and ii) a level correction element that any of eliminates residual offsets in an image signal received from the head unit.
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11. An image acquisition apparatus comprising:
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A. a plurality of head units, each including a charge coupled device, and each that generates an image signal from charges output from readout sites of the respective charge coupled device, B. each charge coupled device including a photosensitive region having one or more photosensitive charge collection sites, a non-photosensitive region having one or more non-photosensitive readout sites, the readout sites being coupled to corresponding charge collection sites, the photosensitive region responding to an applied transfer signal for moving charges accumulated on the charge collection sites to corresponding non-photosensitive readout sites, the non-photosensitive region responding to a read signal applied independently of the transfer signal for outputting the charges from the readout sites, and C. a control unit, that is coupled to the plurality of head units, selectively generates and applies to each head unit signals for acquiring an image. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
i) a gain adjustment element that any of (a) adjusts gain of the image signal received from the head units, and (b) increases an amplitude of that image signal, and ii) a level correction element that any of eliminates residual offsets in the image signal received from the head units. -
17. An image acquisition system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit has a synchronous mode of operation wherein it applies a shutter pulse signal substantially concurrently to the plurality of head units, and an asynchronous mode of operation wherein it applies a shutter pulse signal to the plurality of head units at substantially different respective times.
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18. An image acquisition system according to claim 17, wherein the control unit applies a readout signal to the plurality of head units at substantially different respective times.
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19. An image acquisition system according to any of claims 17-18, wherein the control unit applies the shutter pulse signal and the readout signal to the plurality of head units in accord with one or more requests received from a host.
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20. A method of image acquisition using a charge coupled device of the type having
i. a photosensitive region having one or more photosensitive charge collection sites, ii. a non-photosensitive region having one or more non-photosensitive readout sites, the non-photosensitive readout sites being coupled to corresponding photosensitive charge collection sites, the method comprising the steps of A. responding to an applied transfer signal for moving charges accumulated on the charge collection sites to corresponding readout sites, and B. responding to a read signal applied independently of the transfer signal for outputting the charges in the non-photosensitive readout sites.
Specification