Patent ID: 8294803
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for producing multiple images with an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels each including a photosensitive area, a plurality of vertical charge coupled devices (VCCDs) each comprising a plurality of charge storage elements and positioned adjacent to respective columns of pixels, and transfer mechanisms for transferring charge packets from the photosensitive areas to respective charge storage elements, the method comprising: beginning light integration for all of the pixels, wherein the photosensitive areas accumulate charge packets; transferring charge packets from a first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a first time, wherein the charge packets from the first portion of pixels have a first integration period; ending light integration for all of the pixels; binning charge packets in the VCCDs by shifting a portion of the charge packets one or more charge storage elements in each VCCD; transferring charge packets from the first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a second time, wherein the charge packets from the first portion of pixels have a second integration period; reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs; transferring charge packets from a second portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a third time, wherein the charge packets from the second portion of pixels have a third integration period that is different from the first and second integration periods; and reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs.