Patent ID: 9426400
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: G01N,H04N

Claim Text:
1. A method of operating an image sensor to generate an image of a continuously moving object, the image sensor including a plurality of pixels aligned along a read-out axis, wherein the continuously moving object moves along an axis of movement that is parallel to the read-out axis, the method comprising: performing a timed delay integration mode (TDI-mode) operation during an illumination pulse, wherein a plurality of charges are respectively stored by said plurality of pixels of the image sensor, each said charge forming an image region generated by said pulsed illumination reflected from a corresponding fixed point on the continuously moving object, and the plurality of charges are shifted from pixel to pixel only in a first direction along the read-out axis during said TDI-mode operation such that each said charge is shifted along with said corresponding fixed point in a manner that prevents blurring; and performing a split-readout operation during a non-illumination period following the TDI-mode operation, wherein first said charges stored by first said pixels of the image sensor are shifted from pixel to pixel in the first direction along the read-out axis while second said charges stored by second said pixels of the image sensor are concurrently shifted from pixel to pixel in a second direction along the read-out axis during the split-readout operation, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.