Patent ID: 6812963
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image detection system for detecting optical signals, comprising:a voltage source; a first photosensitive element, wherein the first photosensitive element comprises a first charge creation region, wherein electronic charge is created by optical signals; a second photosensitive element, wherein the second photosensitive element comprises: a second charge creation region, wherein electronic charge is created by optical signals; a first charge collection element, wherein the first charge collection element comprises a first conductive gate, a second conductive gate, an insulator connected to first and second conductive gates, and a charge collection region connected to the insulator and wherein the first photosensitive element, the second photosensitive element, and the first charge collection element are fabricated on a semiconductor substrate; a first switch electronically connected to the first photosensitive element and to the first charge collection element, wherein photo-generated electronic charge flows from the first photosensitive element to the first charge collection element when the first switch is closed and wherein the first switch comprises a first potential barrier region electronically connected to the first charge creation region and to the charge collection region, wherein the first potential barrier region inhibits electronic charge flow between the first charge creation region and the charge collection region, wherein a voltage of appropriate polarity and magnitude applied by the voltage source between the first conductive gate and the semiconductor substrate enables electronic charge flow between the first charge creation region and the charge collection region; and a second switch electronically connected to the second photosensitive element and to the first charge collection element, wherein photo-generated electronic charge flows from the second photosensitive element to the first charge collection element when the second switch is closed and is combined, thereby, with the charge which flowed to the first charge collection element from the first photosensitive element and wherein the second switch comprises a second potential barrier region electronically connected to the second charge region and to the charge collection region, wherein the second potential barrier region inhibits electronic charge flow between the second charge creation region and the charge collection region, wherein a voltage of appropriate polarity and magnitude applied by the voltage source between the second conductive gate and the semiconductor substrate enables electronic charge flow between the second charge creation region and the charge collection region.