Line-interleaved image sensors
First Claim
1. A method of operation within an integrated-circuit image sensor, the method comprising:
- integrating photocharge within a first plurality of pixels during a first exposure interval;
outputting a read-out signal from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels upon conclusion of the first exposure interval, the read-out signal output from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within that pixel during the first exposure interval;
integrating photocharge within a second plurality of pixels during a second exposure interval that transpires concurrently with the first exposure interval and has a duration not more than half the duration of the first exposure interval; and
outputting a read-out signal from each pixel of the second plurality of pixels at least twice with respect to the second exposure interval, the read-out signal output from each pixel of the second plurality of pixels indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within that pixel during at least a portion of the second exposure interval.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Photocharge is integrated within a first plurality of pixels of an integrated-circuit image sensor during a first exposure interval. A read-out signal is output from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels upon conclusion of the first exposure interval, each read-out signal indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within the corresponding pixel during the first exposure interval. Photocharge is also integrated within a second plurality of pixels during a second exposure interval that transpires concurrently with the first exposure interval and has a duration not more than half the duration of the first exposure interval. A read-out signal is output from each pixel of the second plurality of pixels at least twice with respect to the second exposure interval, with each such read-out signal indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within the corresponding pixel during at least a portion of the second exposure interval.
44 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operation within an integrated-circuit image sensor, the method comprising:
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integrating photocharge within a first plurality of pixels during a first exposure interval; outputting a read-out signal from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels upon conclusion of the first exposure interval, the read-out signal output from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within that pixel during the first exposure interval; integrating photocharge within a second plurality of pixels during a second exposure interval that transpires concurrently with the first exposure interval and has a duration not more than half the duration of the first exposure interval; and outputting a read-out signal from each pixel of the second plurality of pixels at least twice with respect to the second exposure interval, the read-out signal output from each pixel of the second plurality of pixels indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within that pixel during at least a portion of the second exposure interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An integrated-circuit image sensor comprising:
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a pixel array including spatially interleaved first and second pixel subarrays; and read-out circuitry to; enable each pixel of the first pixel subarray to output a respective read-out signal upon conclusion of a first exposure interval, the read-out signal output from each pixel of the first pixel subarray indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within that pixel during the first exposure interval, and enable each pixel of the second pixel subarray to output a respective read-out signal at least twice with respect to a second exposure interval, the read-out signal output from each pixel of the second pixel subarray indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within that pixel during at least a portion of the second exposure interval. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operation within an integrated-circuit image sensor, the method comprising:
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integrating photocharge within a first plurality of pixels during a first exposure interval; outputting a read-out signal from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels upon conclusion of the first exposure interval, the read-out signal output from each pixel of the first plurality of pixels indicating a respective level of photocharge integrated within that pixel during the first exposure interval; integrating photocharge within a second plurality of pixels during a second exposure interval that transpires concurrently with the first exposure interval and has a duration not more than half the duration of the first exposure interval; and outputting read-out signals from the second plurality of pixels in each of at least two subintervals of the second exposure interval, including outputting read-out signals from the second plurality of pixels that indicate a combined level of photocharge integrated within respective groups of at least two pixels of the second plurality of pixels during at least a portion of the second exposure interval. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification