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Pixel binning in an image sensor

  • US 9,686,485 B2
  • Filed: 05/30/2014
  • Issued: 06/20/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for binning charge in an image sensor having a pixel array that includes a plurality of pixels, the method comprising:

  • producing a first diagonal summed signal by summing charge in two or more pixels positioned along a first diagonal direction and reading the summed charge out of the pixel array;

    producing a second diagonal summed signal by combining voltage signals read out of two or more pixels positioned along the first diagonal direction and reading the combined voltage signals out of the pixel array;

    combining the first and second diagonal summed signals together;

    producing a first orthogonal summed charge by summing charge in two or more pixels positioned along a first orthogonal direction;

    producing a second orthogonal summed charge by summing charge in two or more pixels positioned along the first orthogonal direction;

    producing a combined orthogonal voltage signal by combining a first voltage signal that represents the first orthogonal summed charge and a second voltage signal that represents the second orthogonal summed charge; and

    reading the combined orthogonal voltage signal out of the pixel array.

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