Patent ID: 6885400
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: G01B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A high speed profiling imaging system using a frame transfer charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor having n horizontal pixel lines in an exposed image area, a protected area, a line shift transfer mechanism for transferring lines from said exposed image area into said protected area, and a read-out mechanism for reading out image data from said protected area, said CCD sensor being arranged to receive substantially horizontal profile line images in an essentially dark background, said system including an image acquisition control circuit comprising: a frame transfer controller generating a shift control signal for said line shift transfer mechanism to cause a rapid transfer of m lines from said exposed image area into said protected area, and for causing image acquisition pausing involving pausing said generating of said shift control signal to allow for image acquisition of said profile line images, wherein m is less than said n horizontal pixel lines, said frame transfer controller causing said transfer of m lines to provide more than one profile image per frame period; and a read-out controller generating a read-out shift control signal for said read-out mechanism, said read-out controller reading out of said m lines during said pausing and then pausing until said transfer of said m lines from said exposed image area is completed by said frame transfer controller.