Method and apparatus for providing flexible photodetector binning
First Claim
1. A photodetector for providing flexible binning comprising:
- an array of pixels;
means for individually controlling input impedance levels of each of the pixels; and
a bin area within the array of pixels for detecting photons, wherein shape of the bin area is adjustable by the means for individually controlling the input impedance levels of the pixels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing flexible photodetector binning are provided. A photodetector having multiple pixels, such as a charged coupled device (CCD), a focal plane array (FPA), an active pixel sensor (APS), or other suitable detector, is provided. A desired bin area is produced in the array by setting at least one of the pixels of the array to a low input impedance level and remaining pixels to a high input impedance level, so that charges generated at the high input impedance pixels diffuse through the detector array to adjacent, low input impedance pixels. The charge is collected at the low input impedance pixels, and corresponds to light detected in the bin area. The impedances of the pixels can be varied to provide bins of desired shapes and/or geometries. The bin areas can extend partially over one or more pixels.
18 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A photodetector for providing flexible binning comprising:
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an array of pixels;
means for individually controlling input impedance levels of each of the pixels; and
a bin area within the array of pixels for detecting photons, wherein shape of the bin area is adjustable by the means for individually controlling the input impedance levels of the pixels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing flexible photodetector binning comprising:
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providing a photodetector array;
producing a bin area within the photodetector array by setting at least one pixel within the bin area to a low input impedance level and setting remaining pixels within the bin area to high input impedance level;
receiving photons with the photodetector array, the photons generating charges within the pixels of the array;
allowing charges generated at high input impedance pixels to migrate to at least one low input impedance pixel; and
collecting charges at the at least one low input impedance pixel, the charges corresponding to photons received by the bin area. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification