Patent ID: 9531976
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: H04N

Claim Text:
1. A method of operating an image sensor having an array of image sensor pixels and pixel readout circuitry, wherein the array of image sensor pixels comprises a plurality of photosensitive regions having a shared charge storage region, the method comprising: with the array of image sensor pixels, performing a first charge transfer operation to transfer an overflow charge from the plurality of photosensitive regions to the shared charge storage region; with the pixel readout circuitry, reading out first image signals corresponding to the overflow charge from the shared charge storage region; with the array of image sensor pixels, performing a second charge transfer operation to transfer a remaining charge from the plurality of photosensitive regions to the shared charge storage region; and with the pixel readout circuitry, reading out second image signals corresponding to the remaining charge from the shared charge storage region.