Active pixel sensor with intra-pixel charge transfer
First Claim
1. A method of acquiring an image, comprising:
- definining a plurality of pixel areas, each said pixel area covering a specific optical area of a charge accumulating substrate;
configuring each of said plurality of pixel areas as a portion fo said substrate, providing a photogate controlling a characteristic of said charge accumulating substrate;
providing a sensing node which senses charge in said sensing charge accumulating substrate; and
associating a readout circuit with each of said sensing nodes of each of said pixel areas, in a way that each said pixel area includes a dedicated readout circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging device formed as a monolithic complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit in an industry standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor process, the integrated circuit including a focal plane array of pixel cells, each one of the cells including a photogate overlying the substrate for accumulating photo-generated charge in an underlying portion of the substrate, a readout circuit including at least an output field effect transistor formed in the substrate, and a charge coupled device section formed on the substrate adjacent the photogate having a sensing node connected to the output transistor and at least one charge coupled device stage for transferring charge from the underlying portion of the substrate to the sensing node.
83 Citations
2 Claims
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1. A method of acquiring an image, comprising:
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definining a plurality of pixel areas, each said pixel area covering a specific optical area of a charge accumulating substrate;
configuring each of said plurality of pixel areas as a portion fo said substrate, providing a photogate controlling a characteristic of said charge accumulating substrate;
providing a sensing node which senses charge in said sensing charge accumulating substrate; and
associating a readout circuit with each of said sensing nodes of each of said pixel areas, in a way that each said pixel area includes a dedicated readout circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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Specification